BT - yet again, a problem grrrr

Buzby

There should always be an expectation on behalf of the consumer that there will be some form of minimum term. If it isn't mentioned, then the duty is on the consumer to find out. There are other terms that you wouldn't have been told about either, but singling this one out is unreasonable.

I'm unaware of any service company providing a utility service with no minimum term. It might be only 30 days, but it might not. By agreeing to service if T&Cs are not provided, it does not mean they do not exist, so it is reasonable to assume there will be some, and worthwhile finding out.

Mark_In_Hampshire

Most of the big providers have a minimum term.

But there's no reason to have a 12 or 18 month contract for either phone or broadband. All the best providers are month to month terms.

But they're dearer. At least when taken at face value.

You could have cancelled outright at your old place, and started with the new provider of your choice at the new place on one month terms only. No need to involve BT at all - bit puzzled why you did as you say you were never a BT customer.

Personally I do think that people signing up need to be made aware of the minimum term. It's not enough to simply say "well, everyone should know that". It's as core a term as the price is. But as you'll see these boards have a variety of views.

macman

OP said she was never not a BT customer. She moved her service over, possibly her number, and didn't realise that BT ask for a new 1 year contract in return for a switch. If you want a switch without a minimum term contract, then quite reasonably the telcom will make a fixed charge for the switch.

Tupperware_Queen

Mark_In_Hampshire wrote: »

You could have cancelled outright at your old place, and started with the new provider of your choice at the new place on one month terms only. No need to involve BT at all - bit puzzled why you did as you say you were never a BT customer.

As I said, I would have had to pay large fees to cancel the contract as there was still 6 months to go on BB contract. I had always been with BT for phone and assumed I was only tied in for BB. (I had been with Tiscali previously for BB). I couldn't really have cancelled the landline with BT but still kept BT BB. My plan was to switch my landline and BB once my BB contract was up.

Personally I do think that people signing up need to be made aware of the minimum term. It's not enough to simply say "well, everyone should know that". It's as core a term as the price is. But as you'll see these boards have a variety of views.

thanks - this is my main objection - a lot of wasted time searching out the best deals when I can't switch yet!!