Do i have a right to claim against BT? Please help!

Frost

Hello all,
I'm a newbie here having discovered the site relatively recently so i hope this is the right place for this inquiry.

Basically i'm wondering if i can claim some money from BT after some problems with my internet, and if so how much. I may well have left it too late, I've been dealing with a sick mum the last year.


Basically the back story:
13th Feb 2008: I paid my broadband bill by phone using the automated service.
15th Feb: The money for the bill was debited from my account.
3rd Mar: My internet connection was cut off.
4th Mar: I complained, spent 1.5 hr on phone. Was told I hadn’t paid and my account was closed. Gave them my number. Told i'd receice a phone call that day (i made them promise!). Was never called.
5th March: My internet was switched back on, though still no call.
11th Mar: Net switched off again. I spoke to an Indian Complaints Manager who told me my account was closed.
April: Spoke to BT several times, who said they were searching for the money. They said bailiffs would be contacted.
Throughout April: Collection agency/Bailiffs continue to contact me, threatening a home visit.
10th May: I send proof of payment to the collection agency.
12th May: Went to my bank Natwest, and they called BT to explain that the payment had definitely gone through. BT tell my bank that I'd be contacted by phone
14th May: I receive a call from the collection agency
16th May: I receive letter from bt
28th May: I'm contacted by collection agency again this time regarding an outstanding £65 which I was informed was due to me not paying a 03/03 bill.
2nd June: I phoned bt about the collection agency. I was told in a call (that I recorded) that the matter was now sorted.
4th june: I was called by the collection agency again.
18th June: receive a letter from the collection agency, phoned bt, wait for an hour with no reply, had to give up.
19th June: spoke to a man at bt who told me he'd sort it out with the collection agency and call me (he didnt).

2 July: Spoke to another man at bt who was actually very helpful. i explained the situation and all the hassle id been through and that i wanted some financial recompense. He 'agreed' and asked how much i was looking at. I said i would be needing to speak to someone for some advice on this....

...unfortunately this is when my mother got ill.
So...
Is it too late to claim now?
And if not, does anyone have any advice on how much to ask for? I work on a freelance basis so not having the internet was costing me jobs as well as money spent at the internet cafe etc. but it's more for the hassle and stress of being threatened with home visits by bailiffs etc.

Tozer

You are probably not "entitled" to very much as BT have their terms and conditions sewn up very tightly.

I would suggest something like £100 or so. Not too late but you have prejudiced yourself by not reacting sooner.

isplumm

Hi,

I think you could claim more ... but as Tozer says you have left a long time ... keep all documentation & take your business elsewhere ...

Mark

artbaron

You won't be able to claim for any loss of business unless you had some sort of business contract with BT.

As for loss of service, I'd be very surprised. They do compensate for complete loss of service (I know that because my phone once went off for two weeks whilst BT employees stood around a hole in the road and scratched their heads) but I doubt they'd give you anything for loss of internet, especially after all that time.

To be honest I'd forget about compensation. It will only result in more time wasted with incompetent managers. The best result you can get is that you now know what many other people, including myself, have known for some time - to stay away from BT whenever humanly possible.

Frost

I think i might as well send the letter at this point, no harm to be done. I think i'll feel better anyway :-)