bt broadband offer rip-off

btblue

Signed up for Bt total broadband on the offer advertised - £7.78 for first 3 months then £15.64. All to be paid by direct debit.
At the end of the set-up my account was debited for £12. A lengthy phone call illicited the info that "direct debits have to be a round number - £12 for the first 3 months than £16 from then on". Not being able to get the advisor to understand that this was a rip-off, I then wrote to BT. Have just had a call from India, repeating the above. I have demanded a letter explaining it - has anyone else had this experience?

Tozer

Doesn't sound right to me at all. What does your contract say?

vikingaero

In my experience the only way you'll get anyone to understand is to avoid India. Most calls and emails go through to India. The only way I got my BT Broadband sorted out was by speaking to a UK agent who understood the stupidity of their actions.

btblue

Thanks - I tried that, but couldn't get her to understand that 3 x £7.78 did not add up to £36!!

btblue

contract clearly states £7.78 by direct debit monthly!

willo65

btblue, quite often with this sort off thing the reduced price is after refund so you will pay £12 for first three months then they will refund you the extra you paid, maybe have a look on the BT website.

EDIT: just checked the website:

Introductory price achieved via one-off credit on your first bill. Option 1, £15.65 a month from month 4 with £23.58 bill credit. Option 2, £13.69 a month for first 3 months then £20.54 a month, £20.55 bill credit. Option 3, £18.59 a month for first 3 months then £24.46 a month, £17.61 bill credit. Anywhere, £23.48 a month for the first 3 months, 18 month minimum term. New customers only. Excludes upgrades/regrades. Featured handset £39.14. Requires BT line/similar and payment by Direct Debit. BT Total Broadband is subject to availability and conditions apply. See www.bt.com/broadband.
Requires BT line/similar and payment by Direct Debit. BT Total Broadband is subject to availability, fair usage policy and conditions apply.

Door_knockers_will_die

Just want to add that I too am having problems with BT billing. And getting through to India is no use. Last bill I was charged double line rental "to bring my billing cycle up to date" - the very pleasant guy in India could not understand why this had cost me money. This latest bill had a £2.50 charge for "BT privacy at home" which is free. Again, from India, I was promised this would be rectified before they took the money from my bank account, but today the full amount has gone.

I have to keep my home phone to get free broadband with Orange.... but I am very tempted to scrap it and pay for mobile broadband instead. it would be worth paying more just to get rid of this horrible money grabbing company.