low useage charges by BT !

drmiket

It seems to me BT are quite possibly the sneakiest gits going. I only have the line for broadband. I make ALL calls using a brilliant Siemens VOIP phone, i.e. over the t'internet. As my wife is from Brazil, the first month she called home using the normal BT line because we had not internet. This was obscenely expensive - only to be expected. I was however not expecting the following new billing tricks:

My first bill was charged with the calls made (£50) + £50 estimated + line rental.

Yes, they charged me in advance for calls I haven't even made on the basis of previous calls. Awesome.

I rang to complain and explained it was a one-off event and would never, ever use their line again to make calls owing to me owning the VOIP phone. The guy was understanding and offered to change my bill to a monthly one which only charges for the calls made. You know, the old-fashioned method of paying for what you use.

I waited for the next bill. The month passed, nothing arrived. I guessed they had failed to change it. Then this month, in the next quarter I get the bill. I opened it nervously, as my trust is lacking. They have changed to a monthly bill. Just one small catch though...they've added BT answer and BT caller ID. So very kind.

I don't need BT answer as the VOIP phone has an answer phone feature, and called ID is useless too. Why? Well the lovely nuisance callers that BT put through call and block their number or use machines which withhold the number anyway. So much for "Privacy" .

I have now gone online and registered for "Your Account" and removed these "free" features. I also opted for paperless bills which saves 75p. Woo-hoo!

As for getting round this most vulgar practise, if you really want to use them, all I can suggest just calling a local number 6 times in a row every month, but hang up after a second or 2. Call your own work number after hours or somewhere you won't disturb though to avoid causing a nuisance!!

Mike

Ypaymore

drmiket wrote: »

if you really want to use them, all I can suggest just calling a local number 6 times in a row every month, but hang up after a second or 2.

You can always call the speaking clock out of your geographical inclusive minutes.;)

Speaking Clock: 020 7043 1320

Or if you get bored with that Free Directory Enquiries: 01635 774 800

and then their is the free weather service 0800 WEATHER (0800 932 8437)

JustPassingBy

Ypaymore wrote: »

and then their is the free weather service 0800 WEATHER (0800 932 8437)

Doesn't count. It is non-chargeable and non-inclusive.