BT Connection Charges (merged threads)

Heinz

cellardoor wrote: »

Hello,

We've just moved in to a place but its not a new build. Should we still have to pay a connection charge as BT have said we need to. But surely the line is still there?

The previous owners used Virgin media.

Cheers,
Cellardoor

Virgin Media uses a coaxial cable network which is completely separate from the PSTN network of wires - so 'the line is still there' appears unlikely if you mean a BT lne.

However, BT are currently offering free connection if you press them and let them know you are aware of the offer:

http://www.serviceview.bt.com/list/public/current/Notice09_boo/FrameworkImpl337855.htm#FrameworkImpl337855

cellardoor

Heinz,

I'm well aware Virgin Media is nothing to do with BT and have their own cable. What I'm saying is, surely BT don't rip out their cabling when you disconnect and the property would of had BT long before the cable company was even around.

Infact, I've discovered what must be the old BT point. It appears to have a blanking plate on it. Tell me it's not gonna be a case of an engineer coming out just to change the face plate and flick a switch?

Jamesdew, that's interesting about Sky. Do they want you to take a talk package to get that? We already had a contract with Orange for this at our previous property so I'm not sure if we are obligated to go with them.


Cheers,
Cellardoor

cellardoor

Hienz,

I'm well aware Virgin Media is nothing to do with BT and have their own cable. What I'm saying is, surely BT don't rip out their cabling when you disconnect and the property would of had BT long before the cable company was even around.

Infact, I've discovered what must be the old BT point. It appears to have a blanking plate on it. Tell me it's not gonna be a case of an engineer coming out just to change the face plate and flick a switch?

Jamesdew, that's interesting about Sky. Do they want you to take a talk package to get that? We already had a contract with Orange for this at our previous property so I'm not sure if we are obligated to go with them.


Cheers,
Cellardoor

Heinz

BT might well have left the wiring to your house intact from ? years ago (before the Virgin installation). However, it would be unlikely for the wiring still to be intact from the nearest cabinet all the way to the exchange and/or for the exchange equipment to have remained unused for years on the offchance that someone at your house might want a BT line again.

It's irrelevant anyway because an engineer would have to check the integrity of the line anyway and BT are offering free connection at the moment.

RedRose_2

:mad:

I have recently moved to my flat in nw london and since the flat had the BT wall sockets,I decided to order BT phone line.
I did that online on 13TH march on BT website.

It was clearly mentioned on the website that the connections fees are for cases where there is not a BT line.

after completing the order,I received a standard email with my order reference and after a day or two a text message from BT on my mobile phone,saying that "an appointment has been booked and an engineer will visit my flat.(just like that no more info)
The BT guy came in on the day, I immediately asked him if there are any connection charges,and he simply answerd he is just a tech-person and he doesn't know about this,he DID not do any cabling,wiring whatsoever. he simply inserted a electronic device into the wall socket and said my line is activated.

3 days after I received a ridicolous bill from BT which included £122.33 on off installation fee.:mad:
at that point I still didn't even purchased a phone set,so I bought a phone and called BT and asked an explaination.they told me that they cant help and I have to pay that installation charge whether the engineer did any cabling or not.I tried one more time and this time adviser told me when I received the text message saying an engineer will visit my flat that meant there are installation charges!!!and I should have known! can you believe this company???

the next day I called BT and asked them to cancel the service.they agreed to cancel and told me they will send me the final bill.

now I have received this huge Bill of £287.08 (whole 12 months line rental + £122.33 installation fee) and I just don't know what to do.

I had the "service" only for few days,I am confident that I am being bullied by BT as the installation charge does not apply to me.
beside that I am in a very bad finantional situation now and there is now way I can pay this brutal charges.
is there any way I can convince them that I am not supposed to pay that installation charge and just keep the phone line? (I am happy to pay and use the phone line it's just the installation charge that I am not willing to pay[there was no installation in first place].

any advice is appreciated.

WhoKilledBambi?

BT's terms are similar to other providers who arrange line activation :

• If your home has had a telephone service from BT in the recent past, and the wiring and socket is undamaged and the line still has dialling tone, it's likely you won't need to pay this charge. But where there's no suitable BT line available in your property, no dialling tone on the line ........the standard connection charge will apply.
• The connection charge covers engineering work in your exchange or your property in order to connect the line and is subject to survey.

If there was a dialling tone before you ordered the line then you should be ok (eventually).

You can only cancel the service free of charge before it's actually provided, otherwise you accrue the penalties you mention.

Hopefully a BT rep can assist soon, they do appear here regularly.

Shouls also add the Openreach engineer is not in a position to discuss possible charges, it's not Openreach who issues the customer with a fee but the voice provider.

RedRose_2

I did not have a phone set,before BT engineer came,so I do not know whether there was dial tone or not.
however the propety had BT phone socket and it was undamaged,as the engineer did not perform any cabling/etc.he simply pluged a device in the socket and that was it.
now does this costs £130??
also I can'r understand why BT did not tell me whetehr there is an installation charge or not.how can they cailm sending an engineers means there are installation charge??
£130 in obviously nothing to them but for an invidual it's some considerable amount og money.
the way I see it,BT is charging me £130 for the just activating a phone line.(whithout any cabling or phisical work being done)and they are trying to cover it up by presence of that engineer.
it is disgustingly unfare.:mad:

I ordered Virgin Media phone at my former flat,I remember they told me there are installation charges as that flat didnt have Virgin socket..an engineer came and did all cabling,installing wall sockets etc which took an hour of phisical work,at the end of the onth I was charged £30 pound.now compare that service with BT! they did NOTHING and are charging me £130 for a basic activation.whithout even warning me about that in advance.
unfortunately my new flat was outside Virgin Media,and I had no choise but BT.
and BT is bullying me.disgusting.and sad.

Heinz

RedRose wrote: »

I did not have a phone set,before BT engineer came,so I do not know whether there was dial tone or not.
however the propety had BT phone socket and it was undamaged,as the engineer did not perform any cabling/etc.he simply pluged a device in the socket and that was it.
now does this costs £130??

How do you know what work that (or another) engineer had done on the cabling between your house and the nearest street cabinet and/or between that cabinet and the exchange and/or at the exchange before the test at your property 'proved' the line?

RedRose_2

Heinz wrote: »

How do you know what work that (or another) engineer had done on the cabling between your house and the nearest street cabinet and/or between that cabinet and the exchange and/or at the exchange before the test at your property 'proved' the line?

I live in a high rise falt,like I said the propety already had the BT socket installed.
The engineer visited my flat,the whole process took around 15 minutes.and he was inside my flat all the time,just insering his device into (already installed) wall socket.

beside that,people are not responsible for what work they do outside their flat/house if that was the case then BT could say okay we bill you for cabling the whole street and city you live in.it's not like that.you pay for line rental+you pay for every phone call you make,and you pay for phisical installation INSIDE YOUR HOME; IN CASE IT IS REQUIRED (not when it is already inplace).

but the engineer spend all that 15 minutes inside my house anyway.
(and I have to pay £130 for those lovely 15 minutes)

Heinz

Please see post #1291 RedRose.