BT Termination fee

mike_D_3

Hi guys, need some advice please! (seeing as between you, people on this site seem to know EVERYTHING...)

I have recently tried to move my phone line rental to Sky from BT (I already had my calls with sky) - no problem I thought seeing as it's cheaper and I've been with BT for more than 1 year, with a 12 mth minimum contract. However, when all the post came through I found a bill for £58 ish as an "early termination fee" from BT. Turns out I was NOT just getting line rental from BT as I thought, but was on a calling plan that coincidentally cost exactly the same as the line rental that they'd quoted me but included "free evening and weekend calls" (too good to be true, I should have known it but i sometimes switch off listening to sales bumpf...).

In addition this calling plan had instead of a 12 month minimum contract, a 12 month ROLLING contract which renewed in February and seemingly locked me in for another 12 months (again... should have read the "junk mail" that came through my door but as I didn't realise I had a calling plan with BT, I didn't check too carefully). This was renewed in february, so im stuck for another 8 months - at which point I will leave those deceitful thieves for any other company that will have me! (who will probably try to cheat me too, but no way am I giving any more money to BT).

So was wondering if someone could tell me where I stand with this? Sky told me that there would be no additional charges for moving as I already had calls with them (and were supposed to tell BT to take me off their calling plans in the first place over a year ago), so trying to find out what the cooling off period is for cancelling my agreement with Sky (although is this even a valid contract seeing as it was premised on a lie??) - they don't make it easy though!

Any suggestions and tips much appreciated.

(P.S. have searched for similar posts, couldn't find anything that really fit, but if there is something I can be pointed to instead of people replying in this thread that would help too!)

Thx! Mike

PNPSUKNET

To be honest your in the same place as many with bt on this complaint, they have people by the short and curlys. I wouldnt think though that sky could talk to bt about call plans due to dpa though

jackieb

I got my mum's termination fee cancelled with BT (it was over £100). She's in her 70's had had been cold called by another company. She didn't know she was in an 18 month contract.

After hours and hours on the phone (on hold!) and not getting through, I got the e-mail address of the CEO of BT from someone on here. I'm pretty sure he's left BT now, so I don't know who you'd contact. Hopefully, someone will come along with more info.

Good luck.

up4anythin

Hi Mike D!

I just had a battle with this and got a phonecall just today, saying that they had dropped the charges and how "sorry" they were. I wanted to move to orange and have successfully done so without any further charges!!:beer:

I dug seep on this one and found a piece of government legislation that says that it is, in truth, unlawful to charge as thay do. I hate that they are operating on people not knowing their rights. :mad:

My case was also hindered by other issues though. I had only been with them less than a month and wanted to leave. I have the letter I sent if anybody wants it. All that I ask is that it isn't sold on as a money making scheme and you tailor it slightly to your situation and not just send it as it is because 1. It won't represent your situation and 2. they'll get to know that there's a template letter flying around and will stop cancelling charges.

Hope this helps anyone stuck in this position and spread the word!:D

littlemisslettings

I checked I wasnt on a fixed contract with BT when i switched my line to SKy, but my final BT bill came with £34 "additional charges". I have nooooo idea what these are for, but I am looking forward to hearing BT's explanation/excuse!

The_Penster

Hi up4anythin,

You've just made my day. I've just signed up for a contract with Tiscali and have got a letter saying that BT will be charging me £84!!!!! :mad:

Please could you send me a copy of your letter as I didn't get anywhere talking to the phone monkeys at BT this afternoon. They just kept saying that I was on a contract that went on till June next year and they're "very sorry" that there's nothing they can do. I would much appreciate a contact address and letter that will get me some results.

The Penster - living in hope that I won't be ripped off :beer:

Ypaymore

The_Penster wrote: »

Hi up4anythin,

You've just made my day. I've just signed up for a contract with Tiscali and have got a letter saying that BT will be charging me £84!!!!! :mad:

Please could you send me a copy of your letter as I didn't get anywhere talking to the phone monkeys at BT this afternoon. They just kept saying that I was on a contract that went on till June next year and they're "very sorry" that there's nothing they can do. I would much appreciate a contact address and letter that will get me some results.

The Penster - living in hope that I won't be ripped off :beer:

If you signed or verbally agreed a contract with BT you can normally expect to pay cancellation charges if you cancelled it early.

If you think BT are bad wait to you experience Tiscali idea of Customer Service.:eek:

Ypaymore

littlemisslettings wrote: »

I checked I wasnt on a fixed contract with BT when i switched my line to SKy

All BT Line rental plans are on a 12/18 month contract, plus their rolling call contracts are for 12 months,did you have one of these?

preecey

I don't care what anyone else thinks but why on earth would you want to go back to BT?

BT are conning, robbing b******s.

Rachel_123

is this to do with 0845/0870 numbers being free? I fear I may also have been tied into this and have to cancel my BT line soon

utilitybroker

Rachel_123 wrote: »

is this to do with 0845/0870 numbers being free? I fear I may also have been tied into this and have to cancel my BT line soon

No its not.

If you signed,or agreed over the net or phone a contract with BT and you want to cancel it early be it for line rental or calls,they will raise a charge.