BT Connection Charges (merged threads)

Heinz

Darth_Trader wrote: »

Thanks Heinz - somebody posted an 020 number for the speaking clock earlier in this thread. I'll give that number a call (x10) at the weekend.

I'd forgotten about 020 7043 1320 - an ideal solution if you run out of 'real' calls to make.

pinkie_pie

Hi I've read the above posts and can someone help me please?

Moving house, was planning on cancelling BT services (have the full holy trinity with them) and getting sky or some such, but was told they'd placed me on 18 months contract so tv and bb not finished till november. I said ok then, happy to take with me. 45 minutes on the phone, everything booked in, and she said there was no 'line at the exchange' so they need an engineer. At the cost of £122.99. Alternatively it's £150+ to cancel the services. Both payable immediately (I don't have either!!!)

Will the £29 connection fee as above be applicable? She made it sound like there was absolutely no cables going anywhere near this house, but it's a normal house in normal town, it's not new or decrepit...

What to do???

billsavings

snowedunderitall wrote: »

Hi I've read the above posts and can someone help me please?

Moving house, was planning on cancelling BT services (have the full holy trinity with them) and getting sky or some such, but was told they'd placed me on 18 months contract so tv and bb not finished till november. I said ok then, happy to take with me. 45 minutes on the phone, everything booked in, and she said there was no 'line at the exchange' so they need an engineer. At the cost of £122.99. Alternatively it's £150+ to cancel the services. Both payable immediately (I don't have either!!!)

Will the £29 connection fee as above be applicable? She made it sound like there was absolutely no cables going anywhere near this house, but it's a normal house in normal town, it's not new or decrepit...

What to do???

You should be able to get the £29.99 connection offer if you specifically ask for it.

You should also be able to pay for a full connection charge by instalments.

philkershaw_2

billsavings wrote: »

You should be able to get the £29.99 connection offer if you specifically ask for it.

You should also be able to pay for a full connection charge by instalments.

Both of these are true. Just to add to them though:

BT have a rating system. I was silver and qualified for the 29.35 connection fee. However, if it's how you say their making it out to be - ie no line what so ever - then I fear the worst. You be paying for the full installation of the actual cable. It may be the case that the line was turned over to an alternative supplier and when the previous tenants moved out the company ripped out the line. Copper is worth quite a bit.

I'm not sure what the criteria is for the 29.35 offer but I personally think 122.33 is more reasonable if you're getting the actul installation of an actual line. 29.35 is reasonable for just a reconnection.

So given all this, my advice is that you call BT again and ask them what rating the line is. If it's silver or bronze then ask specifically for the 29.35 and see where you get. If it's gold then it should be free anyway.

Good luck and be sure to let us know how you get on.

pinkie_pie

Thank you. I too am worried they mean there's no line at all, but I'm only renting and for a short period and I can't justify such a high fee when I won't even be there for it. And seeing as cancelling is a high fee too..! I know it's my own silly fault for the 18 month contracts, but I was never told they were for a different period to line rental and it never occured to check. I know better now!!! Not that it would really have made much difference I guess!!

I'll phone them back when I get in and report on what they say

Heinz

philkershaw wrote: »

It may be the case that the line was turned over to an alternative supplier and when the previous tenants moved out the company ripped out the line.

Nonsense. Openreach maintains the line and infrastructure regardless of which company the subsciber chooses to pay.

philkershaw_2

Heinz wrote: »

Nonsense. Openreach maintains the line and infrastructure regardless of which company the subsciber chooses to pay.

You say this as if openreach know what's going on whith the lines 100% of the time. Phone lines get stolen all the time and BT don't know a thing till someone reports it. In some cases it won't get reported until someone moves into the residence effected.

Besides, openreach maintain all the phonelines regardless of who we pay to use it. Therefore it would be safe to assume that, just like water and electricity, a BT line is installed into every new build. So why would it ever be the case that a BT line is rated bronze - for no line available at all?

Forgive me if I sound rude. I don't mean to - I just like a good constructive debate.

WhoKilledBambi?

For new builds it's up to the housing developer whether or not to include BT network access at time of construction, costs are split with BT.
Lines are not connected to an exchange however and the newer method of installation is to terminate outside the end users premises clarifying where the chargeable elements of engineers visits are.
It is then the developers/occupiers responsibility to install internal wiring and connectivity to the BT network.
If lines were connected from day 1 then Virgin, Talktalk etc. would be up in arms about restrictive practices.

pinkie_pie

Okay so just got off the phone to BT.

Apparently the 29.35 offer expires on 31 march (convenient) but I am moving on 6th April and they haven't said it's not valid. Apparently it will also put you on a new 18 month line rental plan, and you have to make 30 calls a month but it's ok if they are within your plan.

But thank you to this board else I would still be panicking about finding the extra money...

ericadav

there is a promotion fee running until the end of the month. just tell them u r interesting in the£24.99 promotio and that should do it. i did 2 days ago