Changing Phone/broadband Provider

el_gringo_2

Hello

Really want to change my ISP as my current one (Pipex) is rubbish.

However, i went BR in March & was discharged in Aug. Will any potential ISP do a credit check first? if so i will fail. All my d/d pymts to my current ISP have been on time & have never been in arrears so was not inc in the BR.

When ringing around should i be upfront & tell them about the BR & could i get round it by paying so many months in advance or a security deposit. Can anyone recommend any phone/broadband providers who do not cr check or are BR friendly.

Thanks

Rosey321

Had the same problem as well - and we were with Pipex who were awful !!

There are some stories of people who have tried their luck and got lucky with phone companies and ISPs, but for a definite 'yes', BT will be the place to go. The CAB website states that they are the only company who have to offer you a phone line (as long as you have no previous debt with them). The others can refuse on the grounds of bad credit.

When I phoned BT, I told them upfront about being BR. The guy said he would run a check anyway - and the system told him that I would need to pay £50 deposit, refundable after 6 months. I think this is the norm.

Not sure if broadband with BT is the same, but the operator did ask if I wanted that too so I would imagine it to be available as well.

Oh, and they seem to be much cheaper than Pipex too - signing up to their BT Privacy at Home service (free) replaces the massive prices Pipex used to charge for their 'caller id' and 'with-held number' service.
Their direct debit day is flexible too unlike Pipex who I was advised had to be on the 18th (no flexibility) which was always just before payday. I now have it set to the 1st which has helped me budget nicely too.

LilyBart

(Hijack alert)
Hi Rosey,
Is everything done and dusted with the house yet? Have been wondering how you were getting on.
Lily
(Apologies to el gringo for hijacking)

Rosey321

(Hijack continuing)
Hi Lily,

There's nothing more to add at the moment. The repo went through on the 3rd December. We have driven past the house a couple of times and we are certain that no-one has actually been in yet - there is still a Yellow Pages propped up against the front of the house as there was before and the garden still looks in need of a good tidy.
Otherwise, have heard nothing from OR and we don't have any mail redirection anymore so not sure what else has happened.
I'll update the thread once I hear something. Hope all is well with you.
(hijack has now finished - sorry too el gringo!!!!)

peachyprice

Hi el gringo,

We changed our phone to BT and our BB to o2 5 months into our BR, no problems at all, and no deposits to pay.

HTH

el_gringo_2

Hello & thanks for the advice.

I don't really fancy BT as i had problems with them in the past regarding c/tomer service just got nowhere with their Indian callcentre. I really want someone where the callcentres & tech support are in the UK & easy to get through to.

Also i don't want Sky or Virgin as i can't be bothered with all the messing around with engineers & installations.

On some other forums i have read that Plusnet are good has anyone had dealings with them.

Thanks

deedee_3

I had nothing but problems with Plusnet, the speed just kept plummeting and then I could never get through on the phone to them.

Sky has been excellent and when I had a problem I got through quickly and it was sorted with no hassles.

peachyprice

el_gringo wrote: »

Hello & thanks for the advice.

I don't really fancy BT as i had problems with them in the past regarding c/tomer service just got nowhere with their Indian callcentre. I really want someone where the callcentres & tech support are in the UK & easy to get through to.

If not BT who is your phone line with at the moment? You'll need to check which ISP's will connect to that.

el_gringo_2

Hello again

Thanks again for the advice. Just to confirm my phone service, line rental & b/band are all with Pipex.

Thanks

michbright

If you're a Sky TV customer and you want to add broadband, line rental and talk, you can do so without a credit check as long as your payments are up to date.