BT - This kind of trickery makes me really MAD!!

temin

Good idea! I'm already on the TPS list, but next time I get a call fro BT, I'll ask them never to call unless it's regarding a specific problem re my account.
I find that if you are a customer of a company, they contact you even if you are on the TPS list, trying to flog products, services etc. They seem to feel it doesn't apply to them. I used to get calls from Barclays as well till I asked them not to call...

DVardysShadow

temin wrote: »

I find that if you are a customer of a company, they contact you even if you are on the TPS list, trying to flog products, services etc. They seem to feel it doesn't apply to them.

I think if you are already a customer, it does not apply to them

Farway

DVardysShadow wrote: »

I think if you are already a customer, it does not apply to them

It does apply, but depends when you became a customer, if before TPS and "opt outs /in" the small print assumed you would just love them to send or ring you with "marketing stuff"

I get calls from BT despite being on TPS, I just say "I do not want to have new deals etc & I am hanging up, goodbye" and hang up

However, next time I will follow advice and tell them to take me off the list

Jemma-T

DVardysShadow wrote: »

I think if you are already a customer, it does not apply to them

So private companies are allowed to extract themselves from data protection and privacy laws because I might of bought a banana from them or something?

Of course not. It is true I do get the odd call (had one from Sky just last week and they later apologised) from idiot companies who seem to think it's OK to give you a bit of spam or spam made to look "important". Companies which do this include BT (letter and email), gas and even the odd one from my bank. They always apologise and then the spam stops.

I got some spam from eBay last week and I complained and they sent me £20 in PayPal spending. They knew they were breaking regulations and most likely the law.

I don't mind important information (and they're obliged to write to you about this) but I don't like this pretend stuff that BT -especially- has taken upon itself to inform me about.

BT_company_representative

Hi Temin

Drop me a pm and I'll have these marketing calls for BT products stopped.

Stuart

wantmemoney

and what about the thousands of others customers whose details BT have passed on to some 'third party' marketing company.

1carminestocky

Drop Stuart a line and I'm sure he'll sort that out as well, lol. This is MSE, these companies want to come across as 'caring' after all. It's an influential place to populate.

Antagony

It is interesting to read this thread as I am currently having an issue with BT regarding their attempts to charge me for early termination of my contract.

The story:
In May 2008 I was called by a BT telesales operator who convinced me to return after offering what appeared to be fairly decent rates and discounts. As it happens I was with another company which had just gone under, so it was quite convenient at the time. This year I was looking at ways to cut costs and decided that switching my phone and broadband (not supplied by BT) to TalkTalk would help a lot. This I did and was upset and annoyed to receive a final bill from BT which included a £73.07 contract termination fee. For starters I was unaware that I was even in a contract--I'd never been told this and I wasn't aware of ever signing anything to that effect. Needless to say I rang up and complained. Eventually, I got through to someone who agreed to have the charge removed, gave me a reference number and told me it would take up to 14 days. Today (13 days after my initial complaint) I received another final bill with the charges still on it! I've been on again and once again procured a promise that the charge will be removed and given another reference number. Much to my chagrin I was also told this will take up to another 14 days! :mad:

I will never consider going back to BT again. Having telesales operators who don't freely and clearly explain that the "bargains" they're offering are subject to contracts is bad enough. But that these contracts are actually "rolling" contracts (which they ambiguously call "renewable"), is beyond the pale. This underhand practice means that the only time customers can leave BT without penalty is at renewal time. Moreover, they don't send out an agreement to sign--at least they didn't in my case as I would not have signed anything under those terms. So the only agreement I had was made on the phone. I've subsequently talked to a friend who works in debt reclamation and he's informed me that agreements made on the telephone alone are not legally binding. Hopefully, they will settle the matter this time and that point won't need to be made in any legal wranglings.

I hope anyone considering a move to BT will read this thread and reconsider their options. BT will treat you like crap, they don't deserve you custom.

littleboo

Unfortunately your friend is wrong with his blanket statement. Verbal agreements can be enforceable.

Ypaymore

Antagony wrote: »

I've subsequently talked to a friend who works in debt reclamation and he's informed me that agreements made on the telephone alone are not legally binding.

Under law there are two basic terms that constitute a binding agreement. The verbal agreement will be binding if there was an agreement on the services to be performed and an agreement was reached on remuneration for this service. This agreement can be reached by a verbal exchange in person, via telephone or via an email.