BT charging deposit for Line rental

milestone_3

I just phoned up BT to get my phone line open up. They said it £11.75 to rental, which is fine.

However they said that they want £50 off me as a deposit!? They did a credit check and said that their system asked that I pay them a deposit? Has anyone else heard of this?

I don't know of any credit problems at my old flat. I was only there for 9 months and everything seemed fine

normanmark

It's not uncommon. Its difficult to pin point why they're asking it

Quentin

£50 is low - sometimes they ask for much more than that from "risky" credit checks.

Pink_fluff

Are you a new customer? When I was younger, I got a mobile contract with O2 and they asked for a £50 deposit also, but gave it back after 6 months. Maybe if your a new customer, it's just a security thing?

milestone_3

Yes I am a new customer. I moved into my flat about 2 weeks ago. There is a phone box there and I plugged in the phone and heard a dial tone. couldn't dial out of it though.

I just wanted to get the line open so I can get my o2 internet running. I'm just a bit puzzled about them wanting £50 from me. I'm especially worried about getting it back, because I can imagine them not wanting to do that.

Quentin

You don't have to use bt - there are other suppliers you might like to try (who won't tie you into a minimum contract!)

GoToGal

I got mine back after 6 months no problem

milestone_3

Unfortunately o2 will only let me have internet with a bt line. I phoned up talk talk as their package seemed ok too, but they said I need to get a line active before using them also.

milestone_3

GoToGal wrote: »

I got mine back after 6 months no problem

That's good to hear. Did you get it back automatically or did you have to call them to remind them?

Quentin

milestone wrote: »

Unfortunately o2 will only let me have internet with a bt line.

That doesn't mean you have to pay bt for your line. They mean a bt type line, not cable. You have established you have a "bt" line, but could use any of the other companies who offer bt line rental to go with.

Some have better deals (especially no minimum contract, unlimited free calls evenings/weekends etc)

(If you want to go to talk talk you could go with the post office (no minimum contract) (plus cashback with Quidco), then transfer to talk talk.)

milestone_3

Quentin wrote: »

That doesn't mean you have to pay bt for your line. They mean a bt type line, not cable. You have established you have a "bt" line, but could use any of the other companies who offer bt line rental to go with.

I just spoke to o2 and they said that I have to go with BT for this?