TalkTalk contract renewal, Can you advise me please.

Mr_Linnet

I`ve been communicating with TalkTalk regarding an over usage issue and problems logging into my e-mail account. My recorded delivery letter dated 5th November 2009 never reached the addressee, I`ve since been instructed to comminicate via e-mail or telephone.

Anyway, I sent an e-mail saying I had been considering renewing contract as my 18 month contract had expired and I was basically on a monthly rolling contract. I requested their best price ( to include any ex gratia payments or discounted prices, as an incentive or encouragement for me to continue with their company ) to maintain the current level of services they currently supply. This was their response :-

You are currently paying £11.25 per month for line rental and £9.99 for your Talk Plan. It would be possible to sign you up to a new 18 month contract for the line rental of £11.49 and Talk Plan of £6.49 per month. This new plan would only include free calls at evening and weekends to UK landlines, and free calls to 0845 and 0870 numbers. It would be possible to bolt on other options such as Free International Calls and Free Anytime calls to UK landlines. However you request the cheapest price that is offered and including broadband the lowest priced tariff is the £11.49 line rental (this increase commences as of January 2011) and £6.49 per month for the Talk Plan. This includes Free Broadband. In order for you to view our most up to date pricing policies and deals I recommend that you visit: http://www.talktalk.co.uk/home. I am prepared to offer you the incentive of the Talk Plan being Free for the first 3 months of the new 18 month contract.

As far as I can see they are not really offering me anything special. Their website mentions a wireless router to anyone taking up a contract. I don`t need one as I`ve already got a wireless router, so I`m not gaining anything there!

Would appreciate someone reading through TalkTalks response and helping me with some advice. Should I stay or should I look elsewhere

Many thanks in advance for all replies.:D

Steve

mrJ_5

So you'd be paying £17.98 in total, compared to £21.24 now - a saving of £3.26 a month (you even get to save £19.47 for the first 3 months with the free talk plan too) .... it total, that's almost £80 less! ... to me its ok, especially as they are upgrading connections soon to up to 24Mb as standard

Mr_Linnet

Thank you for your reply mrJ

Your reply echos what I originally thought. However, reading through my post again and the TalkTalk reply I find TalkTalk appear to have mistaken my request for their best price maintaining my current level of service with cheapest price.

Under the revised option of £11.49 line rental plus Talk plan of £6.49 I get no free anytime calls to UK landlines. I currently have this option under my present deal and wish to retain it.

Do you think it is still a worth staying?

Many thanks Steve

macman

Impossible to answer your question without knowing what your other options are. In particular, what are your LLU options other than TT?
If cost is paramount, you're unlikely to beat TT Essentials price on an LLU exchange.

Mr_Linnet

Hi macman

Thank you very much for your reply.

My present package is the same as the £6.49 plan being offered except I have free anytime calls to UK landlines. I presently pay £11.25 line rental and £9.99 for my TalkTalk plan. I would prefer to keep this option of free anytime calls to UK landlines.

Veiwing the TalkTalk website today the Essentials package is now £6.99. This aside, both packages on their website are offering a free router. I don`t need one of these either as I have my own already.

Hope this helps. Steve

macman

But your question was: is it worth staying?
Without stating the alternatives available on your exchange, how do you expect anyone to answer that question without knowing what the other LLU options are?

Mr_Linnet

Hi macman,

Thank you for your prompt response, I`m sorry if my ignorance frustrates or annoys you.

I have no idea what you mean by other LLU options

Sorry Steve

macman

Local Loop Unbundled. These are the ISP's who have their own equipment in the local exchange, so they can offer better prices than using BT Wholesale services.
Check your LLU options on https://www.samknows.com, then exchange search, LLU Operator presence.

Mr_Linnet

Hi macman,

Thank you very much for your latest reply. I`ve followed the link in your response and found that there are four companies that have a LLU Operator Presence for the exchange in my particular area. They are :- AOL, Orange, Sky/Easynet, and TalkTalk.

Looks like I`ve pretty much found the answer to my question. I don`t think I have much choice!

Thanks for your help and assistance. Steve