BT Broadband - changes to T&Cs: can they do this?

doodaf

Just received an email from BT Broadband. We've had broadband with them since 2002, but about six months ago changed the amount we pay and switched to Broadband Option 1, thereby beginning an 18 month contract.

I was surprised to receive an email just now with changes to T&Cs, which seem to suggest they will charge to terminate the contract OUTSIDE the minimum period:
Ending the service

1. When you end your broadband service outside your minimum period and do not request and use a migration access code to move to another service provider, you will have to pay a cease charge of £18.51 (from 2nd December 2008). You will not have to pay this charge in the event you are moving home and we are unable to provide the service at the new address.

Can they do this? Am I within my rights to end the contact now on the basis that they are changing the T&Cs since we signed up, and I don't like the new contract?

Advice would be welcome!

Thanks

Judith

syko29793

The charge to cancel is only applied if you cease your broadband service. If you move to a new service provider via mac process then the charge is not applied. (the cease charge is due to BT wholesale charges and is being passed on by BT retail expect other isps to follow suit) If your happy with your contract you agreed with BT retail and do not intend to cancel then your contract is unaffected. You do however have the right to get out of your contract up to 14th november under the terms and conditions changes clause in you contract.

ChrisBristol

I'm currently on the phone to BT querying this. They said they would only charge the cease fee if I don't give them 30 days' notice. I'm asking if I can have this in writing, and I'm now on hold waiting to speak to a manager.

I was thinking of moving to Virgin - so I wouldn't have a MAC code. I was going to do this sometime next year as things are hectic right now, but it looks like BT are pushing me to cancel right now - if I cancel before 2 December the cease fee doesn't apply.

How can a company legally charge me for NOT providing something? I'm long out of my minimum period - I've been with them for years.

espresso

ChrisBristol wrote: »

How can a company legally charge me for NOT providing something? I'm long out of my minimum period - I've been with them for years.

Because they have to physically disconnect your line from the the ADSL equipment in the exchange. If you simply migrate to another ADSL provider, they don't need to do this.

ChrisBristol

espresso wrote: »

Because they have to physically disconnect your line from the the ADSL equipment in the exchange. If you simply migrate to another ADSL provider, they don't need to do this.

OK, thanks. Still seems a bit rich to bait and switch though - this wasn't in my T&Cs when I joined. Since I was going to switch to Virgin anyway, I'll give my 30 days notice to cancel tomorrow and make the move a bit earlier - then I won't have to pay the cease fee.

I finally got through on the phone - although the first advisor assured me that I wouldn't have to pay the cease fee at some future date provided I gave 30 days notice, the manager I spoke to said she'd had a few calls about this today and didn't know the answer, and nor did anyone else, but suggested that the wording implied it would have to paid if I cancelled after 2 December.

espresso

ChrisBristol wrote: »

OK, thanks. Still seems a bit rich to bait and switch though - this wasn't in my T&Cs when I joined. Since I was going to switch to Virgin anyway, I'll give my 30 days notice to cancel tomorrow and make the move a bit earlier - then I won't have to pay the cease fee.

I finally got through on the phone - although the first advisor assured me that I wouldn't have to pay the cease fee at some future date provided I gave 30 days notice, the manager I spoke to said she'd had a few calls about this today and didn't know the answer, and nor did anyone else, but suggested that the wording implied it would have to paid if I cancelled after 2 December.

I can't see any mention of 30 days here in their new terms and conditions:

Ending the service

1. When you end your broadband service outside your minimum period and do not request and use a migration access code to move to another service provider, you will have to pay a cease charge of £18.51 (from 2nd December 2008). You will not have to pay this charge in the event you are moving home and we are unable to provide the service at the new address.

Search for "Ending the service"

Felix123

syko29793 wrote: »

The charge to cancel is only applied if you cease your broadband service. If you move to a new service provider via mac process then the charge is not applied. (the cease charge is due to BT wholesale charges and is being passed on by BT retail expect other isps to follow suit) If your happy with your contract you agreed with BT retail and do not intend to cancel then your contract is unaffected. You do however have the right to get out of your contract up to 14th november under the terms and conditions changes clause in you contract.[/quote]

Does this mean that although my contract is not up until next June, that I can cancel without penalty because BT have changed their terms and conditions?

Many thanks.

syko29793

you can cancel without penalty up to november 14th 2008 as there has been a change in terms that was not in your original contract so you have at the moment not agreed to these terms.
BT have given you notice of the changes and you have 2 weeks to respond.
If you feel the changes are a disadvantage to you then you can cancel without charge.
BT has charged a fee to cease broadband for some time now so this is nothing new (current fee is £6.00) this is just a price increase at wholesale level that is being passed on to customers by BT retail.

merlinormartin

you can cancel without penalty up to november 14th 2008 as there has been a change in terms that was not in your original contract so you have at the moment not agreed to these terms

Hi guys i've been reading Bt's website looking for the above info but i cannot find it.. can someone point me in the right direction.

Many thanks.

syko29793

sorry i should have made this more clear.
If you agree to a contract and then said contract is changed within you min period and you have reason to believe this is detrimental to your original agreement )and can prove this)then you have the right to terminate the agreement.
This is with any contract not just BT.

StevieJ

ChrisBristol wrote: »

I'm currently on the phone to BT querying this. They said they would only charge the cease fee if I don't give them 30 days' notice. I'm asking if I can have this in writing, and I'm now on hold waiting to speak to a manager.

I was thinking of moving to Virgin - so I wouldn't have a MAC code. I was going to do this sometime next year as things are hectic right now, but it looks like BT are pushing me to cancel right now - if I cancel before 2 December the cease fee doesn't apply.

How can a company legally charge me for NOT providing something? I'm long out of my minimum period - I've been with them for years.

Why don't you have a Mac code if you are moving to Virgin?