BT Connection Charges (merged threads)

Heinz

slawer wrote: »

Will the result be any different from any other provider, I thought they would all essentially use the open reach system which would say if a callout was needed, I thought the only thing that changes is how much this action costs, with post office being one of the cheapest.

BT say they'd charge nothing if the line has a dial tone (this has nothing to do with the current free installation offer).

slawer

The Post Office have not been very helpful with inconsistent advice regarding whether I will be charged despite a dial-tone, so I guess I will try with BT, I just need to check how easily/cheaply transferrable the line rental is.

It still seems odd that an engineer needs to be called out in the first place if this is standard practice. I wonder why there is sometimes the need?

slawer

So I have ordered it now, the BT representative said it is free to move the contract to a new house which makes this fine by me. They were also able to confirm that I won't have to pay if I have a dial tone.

They were still convinced however that I don't have a line in my flat, let alone a live one, despite giving them the phone number obtained. I think that this is an area that BT should address as it must be wasting them a lot of money to send out engineers unnecessarily.

I have to say I am tempted to make a video with me holding a newspaper and verifying that I do indeed have a dial tone. I know what these things can be like.

@limota: O2 should be a good service provider, and from what I have found out are based on the Be* network, although perform slightly worse are a lot cheaper. Should be one of the fastest unlimited download providers.

AfterDark

Looking for some advise please.

Ordered a BT line had it installed on the 15th, was not advised of the connection charge, Signed up online had no emails or letters or anything, Called BT who admitted there had been a problem at there end for these not been sent and told me I could get a 18 month contact with no charge.

Not really what I signed up for.

I was given the option to cancel with no charges what so ever, However when I asked can't you just change it to a 12 month contract was told no.

However apperently if I cancel and resign up I will still have to pay a connection charge as they shut down the line and will have to reactivate it, IS THIS TRUE ?

Thanks for any advise in advance

BT_company_representative

Hi AfterDark, with the free connection charge on an 18 month contract you have to fulfil the full 18 months or you are automatically charged the connection fee of £122.50.. this is why you were advised that if you changed now to a new 12 month term that you would have to pay the connection charge! I understand that there was a BT error with your online order and you were not informed about the connection charge but with the terms of the free connection charge offer you have to fulfil the 18 months to get the connection free of charge.. if you need any further details just PM me! Thanks Natasha BT Support

Heinz

Heinz wrote: »

BT's free installation offer has been extended until the end of September.

And now until the end of the year.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=25309069&postcount=4

paperclip4201

BT_company_representative wrote: »

Hi AfterDark, with the free connection charge on an 18 month contract you have to fulfil the full 18 months or you are automatically charged the connection fee of £122.50.. this is why you were advised that if you changed now to a new 12 month term that you would have to pay the connection charge! I understand that there was a BT error with your online order and you were not informed about the connection charge but with the terms of the free connection charge offer you have to fulfil the 18 months to get the connection free of charge.. if you need any further details just PM me! Thanks Natasha BT Support

No mean to be rude, but if he's signed a contract for the term with no mention of a connection charge or 18 month contract, then doesn't it constitute a breach of contract on BTs behalf if they try to charge him?

Lianimal_2

I called BT this morning & spoke to Customer Options about the free installation for new,existing & returning customers. The person I spoke to knew nothing about the offer but asked her manager who stated the 'existing customer' only applies if you have a BT account but are moving address & want a new BT line & then you have to take all three services. I asked if I could simply have the master socket exchanged in my existing property as it is years old & hanging off the wall & is affecting my phone line. I was told this is not possible and there would be a charge to replace it. They got round it by saying I could only get the free offer if I was moving to a new property.

Altarf

Lianimal wrote: »

I called BT

And that was your mistake.

You would have thought that BT company representative who hangs out here would have fed back that by BT's call centre telling customers the wrong thing about this offer and denying what their own price guide says that BT comes across as either a bunch of dishonest crooks, or a bunch of incompetent idiots.

I mean, how long has it been going on for, 6 months, you would have thought that the call centre staff could have been trained by now, which sort of leaves the first option, that is they have been trained to deny its existence or availabilty.

Heinz

Lianimal wrote: »

I called BT this morning & spoke to Customer Options about the free installation for new,existing & returning customers. The person I spoke to knew nothing about the offer but asked her manager who stated the 'existing customer' only applies if you have a BT account but are moving address & want a new BT line & then you have to take all three services.

You were told a series of untruths (I hesitate to say 'lies' but only just managed it).

The free connection offer is available to all, if you are an existing customer, if you're not, if you're moving home, if you're not, if you're Martian, if you're not. The only thing is you have to agree to an 18 month contract and make 10 or more chargeable or inclusive calls each month.