BT Total Broadband CON - ONE FOR MARTIN TO INVESTIGATE??

withabix

BT launched Total Broadband on 21st June 2006, so I had a quick look on their website, as I'm an existing BTBroadband Option 4 Customer.

I was pleased to see that existing Option 4 customers got their monthly usage upgraded to 50GB, 8MB bandwidth, a free Home Hub and a FREE HANDSET.

Along with the other bits and bobs, the deal was allegedly worth £370 per year.

I duly placed my order on the launch day and got an email telling me I would receive my hardware and re-graded service on 5th July.

However, 5th July arrives and the parcel arrives, containing the hub.

NO PHONE HANDSET THOUGH.

A phone call to BT results in them telling me that the free handset was an ERROR, that they had since altered their t&c's and WON'T be honouring the free handset offer to existing Option 4 customers!

Bloody BT are conning us all again!!!!

Interestingly though, a news story posted today on Webuser says that they've sent all of the handsets back to the manufacturer as they are faulty.

Is this another part of the SAME CON!!!

I'm bloody furious!!!!!

wobbley

Refuse to pay your next bill. Tell them it was an "ERROR" that you forgot to mention that earlier! And they should have read your T&C's that you wrote on a beermat and left in a phonebox
If it's any comfort - Someone knocked down a telegraph pole near me this week, and I need some fenceposts, so It's mine now! Ha! - chew on that BT!

ahrimaniac

Kick up a bit of stink - the deal should be honoured.

I don't see how them recalling their handsets is a con though - they had a slight fault, and safety first surely?

withabix

Recalling the handsets is probably all part of the deception.

ahrimaniac

Oh don't be daft. They're being recalled because the keypad can be removed and as it's a small part, it's a risk to childen.

withabix

Funny how they deny that the handsets were free in the first place then.

They've had thousands of customers Beta testing the handset since April, so how come they wait until after the launch date to decide there is a problem with them?

Typical BT incompetence if you ask me.

ahrimaniac

'They've had thousands of customers Beta testing the handset since April'

Have they? How do you know, or is it more spurious speculation?

'Funny how they deny that the handsets were free in the first place then.'

They don't, actually - it was a genuine mistake that the advertising said free, and they've honoured orders who thought they were getting a free phone for new customers.

withabix

ahrimaniac wrote:

'They've had thousands of customers Beta testing the handset since April'

Have they? How do you know, or is it more spurious speculation?

'Funny how they deny that the handsets were free in the first place then.'

They don't, actually - it was a genuine mistake that the advertising said free, and they've honoured orders who thought they were getting a free phone for new customers.

1) BT told me that.

2) BT told me that. Also they weren't honouring the orders until they were overwhelmed by complaints and bad publicity.

Do you work for them or something????

ahrimaniac

'Also they weren't honouring the orders until they were overwhelmed by complaints and bad publicity.'

What bad publicity? Save for this thread, I haven't heard anything bad about the new packages. Simple fact is - they tested the phones, didn't find a fault, they started going out to the public, fault identified, products recalled. Hardly Watergate, is it?

lemontart

contract law - your original contract with them said free phone - they changed it without informing you therefore they must honor it or they are in breach and gives you option to walk away without penalty. ..............try that....

On another note I was told I would have mine by tuesday past...........no sign yet. I was on old 3 gone on to new 3 technically no free phone but as longstanding customer (their words) they would give me it free..........but we will see.

Beth
xxx

hollydays

Unless its written into the wording of the contract-i am not sure about that.I thought more of the supply of goods and services act.