Tiscali CON CON CON!

grex9101

was between broadband suppliers for about ten days, so had to make alternative arrangements, used the built-in "create a new connection" option in windows (where it dials up a list of "local providers and you select one), and found this:



in case you can't make it out, it says: "one month free trial". so i signed up, gave my credit card number (a formality, i presumed), then cancelled about ten days later.

Just checked my credit card statement to find they have charged me £17.40! AAAAARRRGGGGHHH!

I absolutely refuse to call their indian place at 10p per minute to sort this. Hva emailed them instead. Anything else i should be doing?

Justicia

Could you not pursue it through your credit card company as an unauthorised payment?

grex9101

yeah, but they're gonna charge me £10 for the privilege!

wonderfullife_2

Hi
Tiscali are the pits
Something similiar happened to me, so I emailed
complaints@uk.tiscali.com and in the subject heading FAO: General Manager, be polite and concise, they him exactly what happened and when, and that you are giving him the opportunity to sort this out, before you take further action against them.

It worked for me, got my money back.


PS Tiscali charge National Rate for telephone calls, 50p min, so no I would't phone them either, its just that they usually ignore your emails. But keep bombarding them and they might give in, you never know.

Hope this helps

grex9101

excellent, will do as you suggested.thanks.

Voyager2002

grex9101 wrote:

yeah, but they're gonna charge me £10 for the privilege!

I don't see how a CC company can legally do that. They often say that they make this charge, to deter frivolous claims, but the only time I persisted and agreed to the charge they (First Direct) then explained that they didn't really make the charge, but just said that they did (!!)

In this situation, it is very clear that the charge made by the ISP is illegitimate. (I hope that you can document that you signed up for a free trial.) So even if your CC company do charge you ten pounds, they will have to refund it. A much better option than spending ages on hold to a premium-rate number!

asharon

With one card I was quoted £10 but opnly if it turned out I was lying, although they used more polite terms.

grex9101

Voyager2002 wrote:

I don't see how a CC company can legally do that. They often say that they make this charge, to deter frivolous claims, but the only time I persisted and agreed to the charge they (First Direct) then explained that they didn't really make the charge, but just said that they did (!!)

In this situation, it is very clear that the charge made by the ISP is illegitimate. (I hope that you can document that you signed up for a free trial.) So even if your CC company do charge you ten pounds, they will have to refund it. A much better option than spending ages on hold to a premium-rate number!

strangely, it WAS first direct!!!!!

as for documenting evidence, all i have is the screenshot i posted (which you still get if you do the dial up thingy built in to windows xp)... I think the ruling would be in my favour in this aspect.

grex9101

Well, no reply from their billing help email addy, used the online "ask a question" thingy on first directs internet banking, and they have refunded me the money taken AND they'll block all future requests!

RESULT!!!!!

Thanks to all who replied to my post, big thanks all round!

grex9101

ROUND TWO!!!!

just got a letter from their customer sevices claiming that they had no such offer!

Now they want £15.26 from me (why the different amount), and denying that the ever had the offer on....

Anyone got a high level complaints address?

cheers.

Astaroth

Mary Turner
CEO
Tiscali UK Ltd
20 Broadwick Street
Soho
London
W1F 8HT

If she is like all the CEOs I have worked with she will delegate the response to someone else to write but will sign off the final letter (and read it through)