Switching back to BT line rental - 12 months minimum period and £74.99 charge?!

competitionscafe

Phoned BT earlier this week to switch back to a BT line - got a confirmation letter today but the second page 'list of your requirements' says BT Together Option 1 and then lists other charges of 74.00 and minimum period of 12 months.

When I phoned to switch there was no mention of this charge and only a 3 month minimum period was mentioned. Any idea what this charge is for and wether the 12 month contract is correct?

I thought the 12 months only applied to BT broadband (Which I did not order) and their web site seems to suggest that there is no charge for switching back to BT if you have previously had a BT line. And why does an 'engineer' need to come to the house to 'install/check your BT line' - surely they just need to do whatever they do at the exchange?

pricefighter

The charge only applies if its a completely new installation where the premises have not had BT connected before eg: new build. A 12 month contract applies here.

For premises that have previously had BT their is no connection charge,and a 3 month contract.

Their is not normally a need for an engineer to visit if wiring exists and is connected and working.

See : http://www.bt.com/reconnect/index.jsp?content_id=LO-REC_REASONS&obsNoSee=Y&vStore=1114&obsPage=/reconnect/index.jsp&obsType=LINK&obsOID=83061

jem16

Sounds like they have you down as a new customer who hasn't had a BT line before.

Phone them up.

hutchie_3

Says on their website reconnection to existing line is free

hammy_the_hammer

if you've had previous bt service a charge will not apply . with regard to the engineer visit there's a possibility that while you've been away all or part of your pair of wires from the exchange to the last distribution point have been used for another customer hence the need for an engineer.

burty3

It's worth keeping an eye on BT, I've just switched my calls back to them from Tiscali. All my calls were free with no monthly charge. Now I've changed back to BT, they are charging me £4.85 per month as a standard charge which their telephone salesman said absolutely nothing whatsoever about. It's a complete con but I'm tied into it now for twelve months or there's a penalty fee !!!:mad: