Sneaky BT Contract Trap!

purplepaws

If you get a call from BT (assuming you have a BT contract in the first place) telling you that they are going to give you cheaper call rates in the evening for the same money BEWARE!!!!
What you are doing is verbally agreeing to take out a further 12 months contract with BT, although that is not what they actually tell you.
I've just come off the phone and very nearly accepted the offer.
They call you and bamboozle you with all the extra stuff that you get for no extra charge - too good to be true, thought I, must be a catch? I tried Googling 'BT cold call scam' just in case but nothing turned up.
It was only at the very end of the call that I realised what I was agreeing to and when I asked the guy on the other end of the phone if I was entering into a new contract he replied that I was and it would be for another 12 months.
I was not aware that BT had 'contract' lengths as such, as we only have line rental from them. They must be operating like a mobile phone contract supplier now?
I told the BT man that I didn't know that my 'contract' was due for renewal and he mumbled something incoherent. So I made my usual excuse of needing to run it past Hubby before committing and he rung off.
Bit cross as I think that it is very sneaky to get people tied in without actually telling them that is what is happening.
I want to complain but I dont suppose BT will take any notice??!!:mad:

Buzby

As with most offers, Caveat Emptor is the watchword. BT is not alone in offering promotions and discounts, and onlt a fool would believe there is no quid pro quo or other obligement onb the part of the customer. For those who have no intention of leaving the vendor - and some have been with BY for 40+ years, and have no plans to change, why shouldn't they get reduced call prices for their loyalty?

If you are getting something that appears good value, ASK for the commitment, don;t just expect there won't be one. There will certainly have to be a disclosure, whether as part of the call, OR in the follow-up documentation, but often folk don't listen/ read the terms - they are just blinded by the headline.

That's not really the sellers fault - it often pays to ask the right questions. After all, when buying drink they don't have to tell you you might die of liver failure if you use the product to excess!

You rarely get something for nothing - BT is no exception - but the customer can still refuse or drive a harder bargain.. THAT's what MSE is all about.

DVardysShadow

purplepaws wrote: »

If you get a call from BT (assuming you have a BT contract in the first place) telling you that they are going to give you cheaper call rates in the evening for the same money BEWARE!!!!

Stop right there. If someone rings you to sell you something or change your contract in any way, it is a fair bet that they are up to no good for you and a commission for themselves. So never agree to anything on the phone - always ask for details in writing.

purplepaws

Sorry if it wasn't clear in my first post: I DID NOT commit, I'm not stupid and well aware that you do not 'get something for nothing'.
what I am p***ed off about is the sneaky way BT do this.
I've looked through my paperwork and my current 'contract' expires in March 2012, in 6 months time! So, my contract is not due to expire soon, as BT man implied.
Not strictly a lie but very deceptive and manipulative.

Buzby

I'm still not clear how this disadvantages you. If they are erroneously offering you a 'deal' that will lock you in for 12 months and they are prepared to offer this to you now, it HAS to start on the agreed date, not some time in the future - so in effect the clock restarts, BUT (in reality) only adds a couple of months to your minimum term, not a whole year.

If BT are foolish enought to call and state 'your contract is coming to an end' this in itself is misleading - it doesn't it is ONLY the minimum term - and your service continues regardless until you cancel on a 30 day notice of cancellation.

I can see nothing 'sneaky' here - just misleading incompetence, and to be honest, BT are not short of that!

boldminer

I'm thinking of taking the 12 month line rental saver from BT; has anyone done this and got comments to make?

Gordon_Hose

Ofcom are putting a stop to rolling 12m contracts, which BT are famous for. They've got to keep their customers somehow :rotfl:

grizzly1911

Bit of a false economy really as once all the companies tie you up on their models they won't be able poach each others:rotfl: