BT Minuimum Call Charge

phoneman44

I have noticed that not only has the BT minimum call charge increased from 5p to 5.5p but also their rounding rules have changed so that calls (except NTS number) are rounded up to the nearest half penny.

see http://www.serviceview.bt.com/list/current/docs/Gen_Notes.boo/00014.htm

Now I am slightly confused..

BT's min call price ex VAT (as it would be if they itemised calls) = 4.6p

4.6p rounded up to the nearest half penny = 5p, add the VAT = 5.9p.
Same goes for the evening and weekend calls upto 1 hour!

Am I missing something here?

Heinz

4.6p + VAT = 5.405p which, rounded up to the nearest half penny = 5.5p.

phoneman44

not sure you are right. Calls are rated ex VAT and the service view website clearly states that each call charge is rounded up to the next 0.5p (Ex VAT).

Therefore a rated call on your bill which is 4.6p would appear as 5p Ex VAT. VAT is applied to the sum of your rated calls and the total then rounded to the nearest penny (again as per the service view website).

Does anyone have an itemised BT bill who can clarify which rule is being applied.

Thanks.

Heinz

Well, I only make the occasional call on BT so can only offer this:

17 Feb 18:08 01787 223380 0000:01:07 0.046

Not rounded up!

So I think it means they round up to the next half penny after totalling all call charges without VAT. Then they apply VAT.

phoneman44

Thanks Heinz,

The new rules were introducsed on the 1st April (spose they do take us for fools), and BT have called me and confirmed that they do round the ex vat call charge up to the nearest .5p sum the total calls and round the total up to the nearest penny.

That means that the minimum call charge and call price for an hour in the evening and weekend is in fact 5.9p inc VAT not 5.5 as they advertise.

Their argument is that as the 'official' price is 4.6p then they can advertise the inc VAT rate as 5.5p, even though they never charge 4.6p as the charge is rounded up as per their t's and c's.

Not sure how this stands up legally, but will pass my observations onto the ombudsman.

Thanks anyway.