BT Connection Charges (merged threads)

south_paw

It's all about clairification.

We know you get charged it if you move into a new build. But some of us worry when we move into an old build that somehow BT will pull the wool over our eyes and try to charge EVERYONE. They do feed you THAT disclaimer everytime you call: "You may get charged."

The name given by BT for you migrating your account from your old house to an old build (with previous BT use) is called a 'TAKEOVER'.:rolleyes:

Swtich off one place and switch on cleanly at your new abode.
But BT scare the hell outta people telling them they are going to get charged.

I found out that one BT comp system applies the charge while their other BT comp system DOES NOT apply the charge.

I has to enquire with BT call centre and BT email Billing Depts to get them to check the old and the new BT systems.

The Billing dept via emailing...told me I'd get charged.
The Call Centre dept on the newer system says there was no charge.
2nd call to call centre rep checked old system. She said there WAS a charged (witness smoke coming out of my ears in anger).:mad:
I told her I was aware BT was between systems...and could she check the newer one instead. Voila...new system classed my home phonelline as a 'takeover' therefore the switching on was free.:money:

But BT never state that cleanly when you order your line to be switched on.
Why? Cos Openreach control the lines not BT. That's why BT can never tell you either way. They don't know. LOL:rotfl:

That's why the answer from BT is never: "Sure we'll switch you on soon, sure you're free. I can see your line infront of me...it's fine." :rotfl:

Be aware I'd had been switched on for a couple of days and felt sick at the fact £125.99 could've been added to my bill. And if there was a charge...why wasnt it on my online bill? Arrraagghhh! That's why I had to chase it all up.

So if you are enquring about a possible charge, email billing and ask them to check their new system. When enquring with the Call Centres...ask them to check their newer system.

It's really ridiculous.

FannyHill

BT want to make things difficult for the customer. I've gone on to their website to try and find out the cost of calls to different types of numbers and have ended up doing a Google search and finding out the info elsewhere.

Same with charging for an engineer "you may get charged you won't get charged you will get charged if we check the BT network and it's OK at the time of the test yabba yabba yabba.

A bit like a Stanley Unwin sketch full of gobbledegook.

gt94sss2

FannyHill wrote: »

I've gone on to their website to try and find out the cost of calls to different types of numbers

You mean something like this?

Regards
Sunil

FannyHill

I don't think I ever got to that page I just went round and round the merry go round on the BT website and eventually got something on Google that made sense.


It's like trying to find a no in Yellow Pages it will be listed under a category you'd never ever think of.

normanmark

FannyHill wrote: »

Same with charging for an engineer "you may get charged you won't get charged you will get charged if we check the BT network and it's OK at the time of the test yabba yabba yabba.

To be fair it isnt easy to decide whether a charge will be applied until the engineer goes out & then diagnose's the problem there. Advisors can only run their tests remotely & go by what they see.

FannyHill

Well if an SFI engineer ( A BT engineer who has gone on a two day course on BB and given a new name and a laptop ) is sent out and the BT Network is reportedly OK then if he plugs in his laptop and gets a connection even though the customers equipment is not checked and the line might have been faulty the day before the customer gets charged a huge bill by his ISP.
BT/Openreach or whatever name they are using this week are just looking for any excuse to bilk the customer.

Celandine2

BT Connection Charge Warning

I recently moved house (old house, existing wiring) and contacted BT to connect the telephone line. I was told the £124.99 charge would be applied but when I said that I would go to another supplier I was told the charge would be reduced to £62.50. I ordered the line at £62.50. I don't know whether that was on the basis of an 18 month contract - I've written 12 months in my notes - but I would have agreed to that if it was.

(I was also not told that if no work was required there would be no charge and sure enough when the engineer turned up he said the line was already working).

Today I have received a bill with the connection charge of £124.99. I have contacted billing who say they are sorry that I have been 'misguided' and that I have to pay up.I have pointed out that I made a contract based on a price and it is they who have 'mis-sold'. Obviously, I'm not going to pay whether that means they meet their side of the contract or it is terminated. Luckily, I keep good records so I can prove this and will - I suggest everyone else gets references and names when making any order. I don't know whether this is a deliberate ploy to deceive customers or just incompetence.

Drunkstar

The £124.99 is the normal one yeah, but there is an offer for half price on an 18 month contract. Your bill should show the full price, then a credit further down.

Its possible that teh offer just wasnt applied right. Just phone up and ask for teh call to be listened to to prove what you were told.

As far as the engineer goes; he would have NO say in the cost of connection and couldnt waive the fees.

Celandine2

Thanks for that. It was billing who told me they wouldn't change the fee and that they have no record of any contact from me prior to the engineer turning up. I've now given them all the order references, time of call etc and just waiting to see what happens...

BritBrat

BT/Openreach or whatever name they are using this week are just looking for any excuse to bilk the customer.

You may have a point, but I don't think my father is going to get charged for a repair he had done. Not that he should have anyway as it was an external fault.