BT automatically renewing 12 month contract

raj75

want2bmortgage3 wrote: »

bt are still writing to me for £61.88 even though the line is now cancelled they want payment until late next year. i have phoned several times and the last time i was told someone would call me back after listening to the previous phone call where i was told that bt would possibly waver the charges as i'd already been a customer for a year before cancelling. anyone else having problems? they are saying i must pay immediately or the debt will be passed on to another company.

Hi want2bmortgage3,

Please could you tell us, if you are able to avoid paying the remaining amount to BT.. I am also in a similar situtation where my contract is automatically renewed till Oct'2010.

Thanks, raj

raj75

Hi BT company representative,

Please could answer my 2 questions below,

1) Please could you provide me the where in the "terms and condition" information is BT in right to renew the 12 month contract automatically?

2) Is there anyway (package, etc.,) I can be BT after 12 months contract, without being renewed for 12 monts contract.

Thanks, raj

sithwad

Raj75 I wouldn't bother with BT, it's unlikely that they will inform customers how to get out of their deceitful and dodgy practices.

They told my friend who has been with them for 8 years and who wanted to save over £20 a month for the same products from sky, that they had automatically renewed her contract for 14 months?? and that she was tied to BT for that duration. A letter may or may not have been sent out informing her of this but that didnt matter as either way BT had her by the balls, so to speak.

She was told that she could switch to sky but she would still be billed for BT for the next 14 months on both line rental and broadband. When told that it was unfair they replied how is it unfair, we are not stopping you from switching to a different provider, when asked will you charge for the next 14 months even though i have moved providers, the answers was yes of course we will and the next 12 months after that if we fail to send you a letter and you don't cancel it. There was almost a ha, we have so conned you, in his voice, nice!!!

I would suggest that people boycott the shady practices from a company that is now so desperate to keep customers it is forcing them to stay, the Post Office do a telephone service that is not only cheaper, they have no tie ins at all, not even a 12 month initial period. So ditch BT and go with a company that treats its customers fairly

Mark_In_Hampshire

I don't see anything wrong with the automatically renewing contracts in principle.

The customer can either have a 12 month commitment then a month to month commitment for price X or have ongoing 12 month commitments in return for price X minus discount.

I do see 3 issues, though:

1. People not making any note of when the contract will renew, and relying solely on BT to let them know that it will renew and give an opportunity to cancel at that point: make a note in your diary of when it renews, like car insurance, MOT or birthdays.

There are quite a few instances on here of people not getting their letters which might lead one to conclude they're not always being sent in a timely manner or at all. However letters can get lost in the post. Note the date yourself. Pass that date, letter or not, and BT are quite entitled to charge termination fees for breach of contract if you change or cancel.

2. People taking out new lines and being put onto these auto-renewing contracts automatically without being informed of the "catch" for the extra benefits and presuming they are indeed out of contract after 12 months, when they themselves agreed that it would auto renew every 12 months at sign up.

3. People not being used to the auto-renewing and/or when told "the contract lasts for 12 months and renews automatically" not listening closely to the precise wording used. Auto renewing contracts for the same fixed period are common in some other industries like insurance.

However: the above is entirely predicated on the customer having been informed of the tie-in and terms in wording clear enough to be understood in an unambiguous way.

Buyer beware...

Broadwood

I phoned BT almost a week before the end of my 12 month contract (unlimited weekend plan with renewable friends and family mobile deal) to tell them I was changing phone line supplier to Plusnet (also owned by BT). I had received no written reminder, but had made a note of the renewal date luckily.

After BT had received notice of an order to move my phone line, they sent me a letter estimating that I would would need to pay £79.97 in termination charges. I have cancelled my direct debit and am now waiting for my final bil before I challenge it. I had been a loyal BT customer for 31 years and whatever the outcome I have no intention of ever being a BT customer again !

Ypaymore

Broadwood wrote: »

I phoned BT almost a week before the end of my 12 month contract (unlimited weekend plan with renewable friends and family mobile deal) to tell them I was changing phone line supplier to Plusnet (also owned by BT).

Did you specifically tell them that you did not wish to renew the current deal you were on.

Broadwood

Ypaymore wrote: »

Did you specifically tell them that you did not wish to renew the current deal you were on.

That's a good question. I do remember that BT tried to get me to stay with them, but that they couldn't match Plusnet's deal, so I said I was still moving to Plusnet. BT did say I had phoned before the auto renew date so that would be ok, but I don't recall if I specifically said not to renew the rolling contract. Any transcript would show what my intentions were.

As BT record all calls I hope that they will review my recent calls to them and decide accordingly. I will argue my case in court if I have to as I always make a written note of time and date of any such calls. Conveniently for them, BT do not include 0800 calls in online itemised billing. I wonder why?

oldwiring

PM sent to you

Broadwood

Broadwood wrote: »

That's a good question. I do remember that BT tried to get me to stay with them, but that they couldn't match Plusnet's deal, so I said I was still moving to Plusnet. BT did say I had phoned before the auto renew date so that would be ok, but I don't recall if I specifically said not to renew the rolling contract. Any transcript would show what my intentions were.

As BT record all calls I hope that they will review my recent calls to them and decide accordingly. I will argue my case in court if I have to as I always make a written note of time and date of any such calls. Conveniently for them, BT do not include 0800 calls in online itemised billing. I wonder why?

Update: Phoned BT today and they cancelled my termination charge and are sending me a revised final bill. They gave me a reference number for this decision and call. They finally acknowledged that I had phoned them in the week before the contract auto-renewal date. I can't fault the lady I spoke to today, she was very polite and helpful, but I still wouldn't go back to BT.

I'll post again if/when I get the revised bill. I should get a credit of £8.10p instead of a charge of £71.86p. That would be a result !

Broadwood

Broadwood wrote: »

Update: Phoned BT today and they cancelled my termination charge and are sending me a revised final bill. They gave me a reference number for this decision and call. They finally acknowledged that I had phoned them in the week before the contract auto-renewal date. I can't fault the lady I spoke to today, she was very polite and helpful, but I still wouldn't go back to BT.

I'll post again if/when I get the revised bill. I should get a credit of £8.10p instead of a charge of £71.86p. That would be a result !

Bingo !

Revised bill arrived today showing £8.10p credit which will be sent as a cheque within 7 working days.

Seems like BT try it on and wait to see if they can get away with our cash. Not this time......:D