BT Broadband - £75 Release fee for a contract i didn't sign!!

El_Presidente_2

Sky offered me quite a good deal on Broadband and Telephone (basically free for 6 months) and confirmed they would upgrade the exchange in 3 months time, when I will get better speeds and even cheaper broadband rental. Sounded too good to be true. All I need to do is give them a MAC code from BT.

I phoned BT this morning and it seems I apparently agreed to a contract renewal back in August 2010, which if I want out-of I have to pay £75. I suggested that they would be able to prove I made this contract with them via their phones recordings (knowing that I hadn't had a phone call). The helpful lady said "Yes".

She then looked up the details and confirmed I made a contract with them in 2009 where I received £3/month discount. The lady then said that they had wrote to me in 2010 stating they were renewing the contract. I explained I didn't get post from BT; I'd opted for paperless billing - apparently this is nothing to with billing. I asked them to prove they sent the letter - apparently they don’t have to.. Just because it says so on their system is enough.

I was fairly indifferent about BT before today. I got what I paid for (all be it there are cheaper deals available). I've haven't had a phone call offering me better products or prices since 2009. And I certainly hadn't had a letter stating they were renewing my contract.

It doesn't sound right to me. Has anyone else had this problem and how did it end up?

macman

Auto-renewing contract? It seems most people who are on this never seem to have receive the reminder leters from BT
You don't have to 'sign' anything to have a valid contact, if they notified you and you didn't cancel in time then the contract is validly renewed.
Beware signing up for the Sky Connect (non-LLU service) unlesss you are 100% sure that the exchange is definitely going to be LLU'd in 3 months, and that you will be transferred to that service. Sky Connect is dire for most people, and much more expensive
And be aware that once the line is LLU'd, you can only move by comng back to BT oon a 12m line rental contract first. LLU to LLU transfers are not possible.

El_Presidente_2

Thanks for the info macman. When I spoke with Sky they said they might be upgrading the line (they'd been saying that for a few years now). Once I decided that I was going to change for the cheaper line rental and broadband package, they then gave me a date in 3 months time.

Re the letter, I find it very strange that BT have always e-mailed me with changes to their packages, t&c's and increases to their prices; yet with this issue they have decided to send me a snail-mail letter. It just seems a little too convenient.

Heinz

If you want to dispute receipt of the letter renewing the contract, writing a variation on inclement's letter might be the way to go.

macman

El_Presidente wrote: »

Thanks for the info macman. When I spoke with Sky they said they might be upgrading the line (they'd been saying that for a few years now). Once I decided that I was going to change for the cheaper line rental and broadband package, they then gave me a date in 3 months time.

Re the letter, I find it very strange that BT have always e-mailed me with changes to their packages, t&c's and increases to their prices; yet with this issue they have decided to send me a snail-mail letter. It just seems a little too convenient.

What a coincidence!
I would wait until the upgrade has actually happened-if you are on Sky Connect for any length of time you will not be happy...

El_Presidente_2

Just spoke to Sky. According to them, they were waiting for enough people to make the upgrade worthwhile.

Do you think that Sky are likely to be slower than BT? How does that work - do they slow the line down? I'd figufed it couldn't be any worse than it already is.

The Sky advisor is phoning back tonight to get the MAC fom me. Are there any questions I should be asking before I hand it over?

El_Presidente_2

Cheers Heinz for the letter. I will definitely make us of it.

macman

El_Presidente wrote: »

Just spoke to Sky. According to them, they were waiting for enough people to make the upgrade worthwhile.

Do you think that Sky are likely to be slower than BT? How does that work - do they slow the line down? I'd figufed it couldn't be any worse than it already is.

The Sky advisor is phoning back tonight to get the MAC fom me. Are there any questions I should be asking before I hand it over?

So if they don't get the numbers, they won't LLU it and you will be stuck on Sky Connect-for which they will want an extra £17 a month once your promo offer period finishes.

brewerdave

macman wrote: »

So if they don't get the numbers, they won't LLU it and you will be stuck on Sky Connect-for which they will want an extra £17 a month once your promo offer period finishes.

I was told a couple of years ago, that it wasn't financially worthwhile to "LLU" an exchange with less than 3000 lines because the projected take up would be too low. Don't know if that figure is still true, but a lot of rural exchanges must fall in this band.Mine has ~1300 - so I'm stuck with BTW !:(

Inactive

El_Presidente wrote: »

Just spoke to Sky. According to them, they were waiting for enough people to make the upgrade worthwhile.

Do you think that Sky are likely to be slower than BT? How does that work - do they slow the line down? I'd figufed it couldn't be any worse than it already is.

The Sky advisor is phoning back tonight to get the MAC fom me. Are there any questions I should be asking before I hand it over?

Yes, ask them to confirm the date that your exchange is going to be LLU'd.

Ask him/her for their name.

I can almost guarantee that it will not be LLU'd any time soon.

I would avoid the Sky Connect service, it is fairly dire.