How can you prove...

speedfreek1000

Things occasionally go wrong and when they do it's a mess to sort out for all parties.

I'd find out off my current ISP the dates when they presented the MAC, when this was accepted by the old ISP, when the transfer of line was completed and the new ISP service commenced.

Ask politely for this either in an email or in writing preferably both. Hand this to old ISP

Now a couple of things to remember here/check

1, were you still in contract for any time after the switch or had the original contract run out? If you had a month left to run a 12 month contract you would still owe that month.

2nd Is the bill for services used or for future service? Most ISP's charge in arrears so you pay this month for last months service.

Too put a few things straight about MAC codes. The MAC (if it can be used for the transfer as there are certain scenarios it can not) instigates the transfer of service and the closure of all accounts on the old service. This should happen automatically once the new ISP presents the code back to the original ISP.

Edit one final but important thing. Get a statement in writing that the old account has been closed and that no money is owed on the account. Keep this safe just in case. As the account may get flagged up for the debt (even if you've paid it) unlikely but it does happen with automated computer systems.

Scho

mrJ wrote: »

In a way, yes, but you don't have to use it - since after 30 days the MAC becomes invalid if it hasn't been used.

Maybe I was a little unclear but it seems speedfreek may have beat me to it, requesting the MAC will involve you essentially saying you want to cancel services, using the code confirms this apart from the exceptional cases.
I requested my MAC code from my ISP 3 years ago to swap to my current one. As such they sent me a letter with the MAC code and it stated that using it within the 30-day period would confirm my wish to cancel with them and I would be billable upto 1 month after this was submitted if I went into the next payable month using their services.

I assume they still send these by mail so if Spearmint still has it then it may be worth checking it for this and what it says about using it.

Spearmint

Thank you to all who've replied

We are way out of contract, our contract period ended in March 2009!
Old ISP bill in arrears, the changeover was made in December - i think it was roughly the 21st. They took direct debit payment on 2nd Jan for services 1-31 Dec, we used to get billed online but the current bill came via post as obviously our old email addresses do not work. The bill is for services 1-31 Jan. If anything they should owe us money not the other way round.

I think i'll have to see what information i can get hold off and print and then send it all in writing via snail mail as phone and email don't seem to be getting anywhere. Maybe we should ask them to prove to us that they have been supplying us :rotfl:

Spearmint

Scho wrote: »

Maybe I was a little unclear but it seems speedfreek may have beat me to it, requesting the MAC will involve you essentially saying you want to cancel services, using the code confirms this apart from the exceptional cases.
I requested my MAC code from my ISP 3 years ago to swap to my current one. As such they sent me a letter with the MAC code and it stated that using it within the 30-day period would confirm my wish to cancel with them and I would be billable upto 1 month after this was submitted if I went into the next payable month using their services.

I assume they still send these by mail so if Spearmint still has it then it may be worth checking it for this and what it says about using it.

The MAC code was sent via email but i'll have to check if we still have it, i have a habit of deleting things when i think they are no longer needed
We did email them a copy of our first bill from the new ISP to show when they took over the line but they say it isn't proof.

Scho

I would suggest that you may be on a 12-month rolling contract, one that auto-renews at the end of the period. So this could tie you in until March 2010 potentially but I would check the T&Cs for this.
I know BT send a letter 1 month prior to continuing the service as many people seem to get caught out by this and complain on here but this may be different as you haven't stated the ISP.

Good luck though.

speedfreek1000

Scho wrote: »

I would suggest that you may be on a 12-month rolling contract, one that auto-renews at the end of the period. So this could tie you in until March 2010 potentially but I would check the T&Cs for this.
I know BT send a letter 1 month prior to continuing the service as many people seem to get caught out by this and complain on here but this may be different as you haven't stated the ISP.

Good luck though.

WAT

That sounds to me like an unfair practice and the last gasp of a desperate man which I'm sure will get nipped in the bud sooner rather than later. :T

Spearmint

Scho wrote: »

I would suggest that you may be on a 12-month rolling contract, one that auto-renews at the end of the period. So this could tie you in until March 2010 potentially but I would check the T&Cs for this.
I know BT send a letter 1 month prior to continuing the service as many people seem to get caught out by this and complain on here but this may be different as you haven't stated the ISP.

Good luck though.

No, we weren't on a rolling contract. I think they know they've messed up but don't want to admit it!

espresso

Spearmint wrote: »

No, we weren't on a rolling contract. I think they know they've messed up but don't want to admit it!

So who are these cowboys then?

Scho

speedfreek1000 wrote: »

That sounds to me like an unfair practice and the last gasp of a desperate man which I'm sure will get nipped in the bud sooner rather than later. :T

Me or the old ISP? :rotfl:



Better make sure the direct debit is well and truly cancelled then.

speedfreek1000

espresso wrote: »

So who are these cowboys then?

+1

There are ISP reps on here who are very helpful. There are also specific ISP user based forums like this with reps on. If you don't say they can't help :A

Spearmint wrote: »

I think they know they've messed up but don't want to admit it!

I think you may be right :mad: The problem is you're now being asked to run around to sort out their mess at your expense which is wrong. A decent CS agent (rare but they do exist) should be able to sort this in 5 mins :mad: