Caller Display - what a rip-off!

Simmydog9

This week I phoned BT to grumble about the increases that have mysteriously appeared on my new phone bill. I do not use BT for calls so was irritated by the general level of increases shown within my bill. Having had a charming lady explain that I would previously have been notified about everything detailed (although I cannot remember such explanations), we then started to itemise the different elements for which I was paying. To my complete disgust, I have discovered that although BT no longer charge for their Caller Display service, they do not and will not advise existing, paying subscribers to this well established service, of the removal of their charge to new customers. It was explained to me that although their charge is "only £5.25 per quarter", existing users will only be removed from the charged list upon specific request. I immediately made that request and instantly received the reduction. I wonder just how many other users are 'robbed' in this way by BT? I am appalled by their complete lack morality over this issue and am already taking steps to shift any business I can away from them.

110frankie

The moment NTL laid a cable down our street I was in.
More than 30 years of BT (and what went before) had persuaded me that I could not do business with such a company.
No matter what horror stories one reads about NTL they don't come near to the general incompetence of BT.

Simmydog9

I understand exactly the sentiment you display, but I have a suspicion that BTs attitude is not spawned from incompetence as such, but from a fundamental desire to screw the consumers. The Call Minder thing I described is utterly immoral in my view and demonstrates a level of arrogance borne from years of total dictatorship.

pricefighter

This subject of stop paying for it and get it free have been mentioned numerous times before on this site.Their was a very long thread which covered this subject which i cant find at moment.

You must have also missed this recent thread here :
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=133033

and the leaflet with your BT bill which explained how to claim it free.

At least BT offer it free when you claim it.Unfortunately other providers still charge for it making your slightly cheaper line rental savings with them wiped out.Bt also dont charge for 1571 basic,and for your fourth chargeable caller display feature if you have that many.Other suppliers do.(TT charge for 1571 basic).

Simmydog9

I apologise if I have irritated anyone by mentioning a previously discussed topic. I really was unaware that it had been thrashed out previously. My only excuse is that I was raging following my 'accidental' discovery of the circumstances just this week. - Sorry!

pricefighter

I can understand your annoyance.Looks like you were not the only annoyed customer having read the recent Daily Mail article on the subject. See :http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=373447&in_page_id=1770

BexTech

My sister for months continued to pay for caller display because she hadn't got around to switching to the free one, even though I told her the day before it was available free. I have just recently switched her over as I found out she was still paying.

daveboy

I'd actually say that NTL are the incompetent ones from my experience.

Never had a problem with BT and being a regular, knew about the caller display thing ages ago.

penrhyn

The change was widely TV advertised featuring Jeremy Clarkson, its called the Privacy at home scheme.
You can sign up on line, I found out about it on the MSE forums, So as the man used to say 'Keep 'em peeled'

http://www2.bt.com/static/i/btretail/consumer/btprivacy/index.html

silvercar

ntl in my area can't provide caller display. I would happily pay for it.

Heinz

penrhyn wrote:

The change was widely TV advertised featuring Jeremy Clarkson, its called the Privacy at home scheme.
You can sign up on line, I found out about it on the MSE forums

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