Are Primus trying to rip me off?

Heinz

Update 31 March 2011.

An official on the Primus Saver forum has confirmed that Primus no longer offer any CPS calls plans for new subscribers (those already on them are, at the moment, unaffected) and that service depends on handing over line rental too (not recommended).

[STRIKE]Not being able to find anything on their website, I have just phoned Primus (0800 036 0094) to establish whether they are still offering Carrier Pre-Select (CPS) calls packages for residential customers with a BT landline (i.e. paying line rental to BT).

The answer was that they still offer 2 packages:

1. Primus Saver Option 2 (a name familiar to many on here from 2005/6 I expect). That plan gives free calls of up to 90 minutes each to UK 01/02/03 numbers weekday evenings/nights and at weekends for no monthly charge.

2. Primus Saver Max. That gives 'free' calls of up to 90 minutes each to UK 01/02/03 numbers at any time for £5.99/month (£1 more expensive than BT's Unlimited Anytime Plan and does not include 0845/0870 calls but allowable call length 50% more).

A 12 month contract applies to both of the above.

The explanation as to why these plans are not detailed on the website was that they are no longer offered 'proactively' but I was assured they are both available to callers who ask!

Unfortunately, Penny Mobile 2 CPS is no longer on offer for new provision.[/STRIKE]

bearpeje

:j

Hurrah !

After nothing at all from Primus, Homephone Choices were excellent replying very quickly to my emails, and checking direct with Primus.

They do charge a month's line rental in advance, hence it is £7.99 plus the part month from the switch date to the first billing date.

Will still keep an eye on future bills, and still unimpressed with Primus non response

coolsteel

Heinz wrote: »

Not being able to find anything on their website, I have just phoned Primus (0800 036 0094) to establish whether they are still offering Carrier Pre-Select (CPS) calls packages for residential customers with a BT landline (i.e. paying line rental to BT).

The answer was that they still offer 2 packages:

1. Primus Saver Option 2 (a name familiar to many on here from 2005/6 I expect). That plan gives free calls of up to 90 minutes each to UK 01/02/03 numbers weekday evenings/nights and at weekends for no monthly charge.

2. Primus Saver Max. That gives 'free' calls of up to 90 minutes each to UK 01/02/03 numbers at any time for £5.99/month (£1 more expensive than BT's Unlimited Anytime Plan and does not include 0845/0870 calls but allowable call length 50% more).

A 12 month contract applies to both of the above.

The explanation as to why these plans are not detailed on the website was that they are no longer offered 'proactively' but I was assured they are both available to callers who ask!

Unfortunately, Penny Mobile 2 CPS is no longer on offer.

Heinz correct me if im wrong but i think those fortunate souls who already have penny mobile still have it?

Heinz

coolsteel wrote: »

Heinz correct me if im wrong but i think those fortunate souls who already have penny mobile still have it?

Yes (well, I do at least).

Perhaps I should have said no longer on offer for new provision.

bearpeje

I obviously spoke way too soon.

Mother in Law's latest invoice went on the site today. Expecting £7.99 this time for the full month,

Oh no, £10.80 incl 28p call charges !

I have emailed them and Homephone Choices again, and will let you know.

Short_Seller

It seem suspiciously close to £2.50 (7.99 +2.5= 10.49) Primus's fee for one added line feature.

If any one of these chargeable features were on the line during migration then it maybe still active.

Call Barring £2.50 Prevent your phone from making specified outgoing calls
Call Divert £2.50 Choose to have calls diverted to another number anywhere
Call Waiting £2.50 Tells you when someone is trying to get through to you
Caller Display £2.50 See who is calling you before you answer
Ring Back £2.50 Automatic call back from an engaged number
Three Way Calling £2.50 Chat with two friends at the same time

http://www.primussaver.co.uk/call-features.html

bearpeje

Thanks Short Seller.

You were right. Primus came back with breakdown, and were charging for Caller Id.

Mother in Law didn't realise she had it with previous supplier so it carried over to Primus.

Now have no problem with their billing, but wish I could say the same about their customer service

:beer:

diamonds

coolsteel wrote: »

Heinz correct me if im wrong but i think those fortunate souls who already have penny mobile still have it?

I still have

MrChips

I had this same issue with Caller ID - they said it had migrated from the previous supplier. However this is my first line rental contract since moving home!

Anyway, that was irrelevant as I still had the email they sent me when I signed up which showed all the caller options I had selected and Caller ID was not one of them, nor was there any mention of the fact they would charge me for "inherited" options. I forwarded it back to them with a request for a refund.

They agreed to refund me for all Caller ID charges. Worth a try if you have been stung too?

Smedley

I know this thread is a a bit older but it is still relevant.

People, CHECK YOUR PRIMUS BILL!

I queried my Primus bill; I was not clear what and how services were being charged.

After about a week of waiting for a response to my email, Primus informed me that I had been charged £2.50 a month for an inherited caller ID service from my previous supplier.

I informed them that they are in breach of contract.
1) I had only agreed to monthly services costing £7.99 (apart from calls)
2) I was unable to receive the caller ID service for the whole of my Primus contract

I am awaiting a response (they do not have the quickest customer service), I am still waiting for a refund.
Because the responses were so slow, I decided to signe up to the "'Post Office Anytime' deal and cancelled my Primus contract.

I will let you know if I get a refund.