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BT continually overcharges
mjhmjh2
Posts: 53 Forumite
in Phones & TV
I've posted a tip up in the gas and electric section - however this is relevant to phones as well. This is an excerpt from that post relevant to phones.
If you arrange to change supplier of phone or signup for any new deal, make sure you write down a note of the name and details of the tariff you have taken and any dates that are appropriate. Put these in your diary to remind you to double check them later. (I write the details down on the back of the last bill or letter then check that when I file the new one). So far this year I've had gas, electric and phone all get the rates wrong! I wonder how many people don't notice this and think they are getting a good deal when actually the utility company is making a tidy sum from their mistakes.
I signed up for a free CallMobile plan with BT in January 2008. So far every bill I've been charged for it without the associated rebate. I've phoned every time - to date I've got half of it credited back to me, the other half I'm still phoning to try to get it rebated. It's usually the same story, I speak to someone who's mother language is not English and they tell me how wonderful CallMobile is and that it is not free. Luckily I made a note when I signed up and I even have a written letter from BT telling me it is free. They still argue, even though I've spent approximately 20 minutes on the phone to them which really outweighs the £3 ish they are overcharging; however to me this is a matter of principle! If even only 1% of the population were being overcharged in this way that could be extra £2 MILLION in the BT coffers!
So when you change your deal or supplier, make a note and check your first (2nd, 3rd,4th) bill to make sure they are meeting your expectations.
If you arrange to change supplier of phone or signup for any new deal, make sure you write down a note of the name and details of the tariff you have taken and any dates that are appropriate. Put these in your diary to remind you to double check them later. (I write the details down on the back of the last bill or letter then check that when I file the new one). So far this year I've had gas, electric and phone all get the rates wrong! I wonder how many people don't notice this and think they are getting a good deal when actually the utility company is making a tidy sum from their mistakes.
I signed up for a free CallMobile plan with BT in January 2008. So far every bill I've been charged for it without the associated rebate. I've phoned every time - to date I've got half of it credited back to me, the other half I'm still phoning to try to get it rebated. It's usually the same story, I speak to someone who's mother language is not English and they tell me how wonderful CallMobile is and that it is not free. Luckily I made a note when I signed up and I even have a written letter from BT telling me it is free. They still argue, even though I've spent approximately 20 minutes on the phone to them which really outweighs the £3 ish they are overcharging; however to me this is a matter of principle! If even only 1% of the population were being overcharged in this way that could be extra £2 MILLION in the BT coffers!
So when you change your deal or supplier, make a note and check your first (2nd, 3rd,4th) bill to make sure they are meeting your expectations.
--
Matthew
Total Debt 23/12/2007 = £15274
Total Debt 28/12/2008 = £2369
Matthew
Total Debt 23/12/2007 = £15274
Total Debt 28/12/2008 = £2369
0
Comments
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For £1.46/month (OK, yours should be free), BT's Mobiles Saver gets you calls to UK mobiles for 7.34p/minute at all times.
OTOH, for no monthly charge, 18185 gets you calls to UK mobiles for 6p/minute during the week and 4p/minute* at weekends. Even if the £1.46/month fee is waived, it sounds like a 'no brainer' to me.
* Via their freephone or geographical gateway numbers.Time has moved on (much quicker than it used to - or so it seems at my age) and my previous advice on residential telephony has been or is now gradually being overtaken by changes in the retail market. Hence, I have now deleted links to my previous 'pearls of wisdom'. I sincerely hope they helped save some of you money.0 -
Thanks for the tip!
We actually normally use our mobiles to call mobiles to use the free minutes, but as it was free I thought I'd take it especially as sometimes using the mobile is forgotten (as would dialling an extra number). It seems to happen every time I change anything on any utility contract (that we get charged more than agreed), so it seems as though others might as well. Check those figures!--
Matthew
Total Debt 23/12/2007 = £15274
Total Debt 28/12/2008 = £23690 -
(as would dialling an extra number).
No need to dial an extra number if you purchase a Orchid Dialer.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=518161
Soon get your money back if you make non geographical or mobile calls.0 -
I could run it all through by broad band router and write rules for prefixes dependant on VOIP or PSTN.. however I've a mobile to call mobiles.. Anyway that wasn't really the point - just a heads up to make sure you check what you've been promised as it seems they aren't much good at following up on what they offer!
Thanks
Matthew--
Matthew
Total Debt 23/12/2007 = £15274
Total Debt 28/12/2008 = £23690 -
For £1.46/month (OK, yours should be free), BT's Mobiles Saver gets you calls to UK mobiles for 7.34p/minute at all times.
OTOH, for no monthly charge, 18185 gets you calls to UK mobiles for 6p/minute during the week and 4p/minute* at weekends. Even if the £1.46/month fee is waived, it sounds like a 'no brainer' to me.
* Via their freephone or geographical gateway numbers.
Am I missing something here ?? - the list states 10p/min
“That old law about 'an eye for an eye' leaves everybody blind. The time is always right to do the right thing.”0 -
You must be reading the website incorrectly then.Am I missing something here ?? - the list states 10p/min
If you have a BT landline and a 18185 account, the 18185 prefix will get you calls to any UK mobile for 6p/minute on weekdays.
If you have a BT landline and a 18185 account, the 08081703703 and 02081802828 gateway numbers will get you calls to any UK mobile for 4p/minute on Saturdays and Sundays.Time has moved on (much quicker than it used to - or so it seems at my age) and my previous advice on residential telephony has been or is now gradually being overtaken by changes in the retail market. Hence, I have now deleted links to my previous 'pearls of wisdom'. I sincerely hope they helped save some of you money.0
- yes - my mistake - I was looking at the mobile-mobile cost - D'oh This discussion has been closed.
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