BT Rob Dogs

zebedeedog

I have just bought Martins book (fantastic!!) After reading it and studying this site I realise i am completely being ripped off by BT paying £71 per month standing order for Option 2 and Broadband, so:-
I decide to transter my phone provider to Talktalk via Rpoints.
I start registering online and discover I need a MAC code (Migration Authorisation Code) and current broadband expiry date.
I ring BT for this information and am told I am locked into my broadband contract with then until 29th June 2007 and if I switch providers I will need to continue to pay the £22.99 a month to BT until then.
At this I am incensed and asked them whether they have proof that I agreed to this contract. I was told that I verbally agreed when I changed my package in June and that the conversation was recorded. I asked whether they could send me a copy of this recording. I was then told that this is not usual but they would request it and someone from customer services would be contacting me shortly.
The good news is I will still be in pocket if I transfer(even if paying the 'fine') as I pay £71 at the moment, Talktalk would be £29.99 and the BT 'Fine' would be £22.99. A saving of £18.02 and £40.00 cash back if I go through Rpoints.
Does anyone know whether there is someway of getting out of this contract with BT? Please someone help me. This is my first attempt to save money and I'm falling at the first fence! :mad:

Heinz

Read some of the threads on here about Talk Talk before jumping ship!

There are other options.

Anyway, even if you're on BT's most expensive broadband (BT Total Broadband Option 3) @ £26.99/month and with BT Together Option 2 telephony costing £14.95/month, how on earth can BT Together Option 2 + BT broadband come to £71 per month? I make that £41.94/month.

mobilegossip

Before you move to TT have a look at some of the threads about them on this site.Heres a good one to start with.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=254882

Also its not a great idea to move your line rental from BT,as amongst other things you give up opportunity of cheapest calls.

Can you break down the the £71 a month for us between rental,calling features,calls,and BB to see if their are any other options you could pursue

ahrimaniac

£71 quid a month?

Broadband option two at 22.99 and BT Option two at 16.59 a month comes to 39.49, doesn't it? So where is £71 quid a month coming from?

And good luck with TalkTalk. Really.

zebedeedog

Thanks for that, I will consider my options. But I need to know if I am legally bound by BT with this broadband contract.

ahrimaniac

Yes, you are. You entered into a verbal agreement on the phone, also, when you first activate your broadband you will get a box of terms and conditions which you must tick before you can use it, thus you have a contract with them.

mobilegossip

BT will be charging 3.95p a month for OPT 2 a saving of £ 47 could be made by switching to http://www.planet-talk.co.uk/SaverProducts.aspx?source=saver who offer FREE Evening and Weekend Calls.

Then by using https://www.1899.com for peak geographical calls and https://www.18185.co.uk for mobile and ngn calls you could further reduce your BT bill.

If your still paying BT for caller display enlist for BT Privacy.That will save you a bit more money.

https://www.bt.com/SelectServices/index.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1300997858.1157967283@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccciaddikmhlkllcflgcefkdffndflh.0&BV_EngineID=ccciaddikmhlkllcflgcefkdffndflh.0&BV_EngineID=ccciaddikmhlkllcflgcefkdffndflh.0&subProduct=SS_BT_Privacy_Home&showsub4=SS_bt_privacy_home&showsub3=SS_free_features&BV_SessionID=%40%40%40%401300997858.1157967283%40%40%40%40&BV_SessionID=%40%40%40%401300997858.1157967283%40%40%40%40&BV_UseBVCookie=no+

zebedeedog

In January I was on Option 3 and my bill was debit balance of £202.65. I reduced the package down to option 2 and reduced my broadband package as I don't do downloads. Since then my bill has fallen to a debit balance of £120.50 (July's bill)
July's bill was broken down in the following way.
£106.02 Service charge.(BT Togeter Option 2 £42.12, Broadband Option 2 £59.44, Call features £4.46)
VAT £26.88
Calls £53.39
TOTAL = £186.29
I realise that I am paying off the debit balance with part of the £71 but this should be paid off next time I get a bill.
Even £60 a month is too much.
Anyway, the question at hand is, am I legally bound by BT's contract?

mobilegossip

zebedeedog wrote:

Even £60 a month is too much.
Anyway, the question at hand is, am I legally bound by BT's contract?

How to reduce your bills is dealt with in my post 7.

The contract question is answered in post 6.

Heinz

zebedeedog wrote:

Anyway, the question at hand is, am I legally bound by BT's contract?

I'm afraid the answer isn't going to change just because you ask it again. The answer is yes and, IMHO, you should use the time consequently available to you to dig deeper into your options for saving.

Broadband prices have been going down but some 'bargains' turn out not to be!

With voice telephony, Martin's article contains some very valuable tips and suggestions (the link in my signature below takes you to it).

If you downgraded to BT Together Option1 and followed the advice in Post #7 above, your monthly fixed charges would be £11 plus whatever Calling Features you really can't live without (bear in mind Caller Display is free now), plus broadband (say, BT's 'up to 8mb' Option1) £17.99. If you can discard the Calling Features, that's £28.99 in total.

Call costs? Only you can control those but, with free E&W UK 01/02 calls and peak UK 01/02 calls for 3p each regardless of duration ............

zebedeedog

Thanks everyone. I'll take your advic:T e.