Property with no Phone Line

totallybonkers

Hi all,
Thanks for any help in advance.
I'm moving into a property over the next week or so, and it has no active phone line connected. I am currently in a contract with BT for line rental, unlimited broadband and eve+weekend calls for £23.89 which expires in May 2012 (this is a previous retention deal). I rang BT yesterday and they offered to waive the new connection fee at the new property if I took out a new contract for about £29 all in. Or conversly, I could cancel my remaining contract for £45 and start again with someone new. apparantly the most I've ever used is 19GB in a month so wouldn't need to pay for unlimited. We also don't even have a handset plugged in so do not need any additional call packages.

Have also spoken to Sky who could install a new line for £10, and their package works out about the same but then I'd also have the £45 cancellation fee from BT. I'd also get £50 quidco with Sky.
What I'm thinking is that I could get a much better deal with one of the other providers who resell BT, such as Talk Talk, Plusnet, Primus but I've read bad stuff about their customer service, plus I'd also have to pay the cancellation fee and new line installation fee with someone else.
Any thoughts or ideas?? I'm not fussed who we are with as long as the service is good, its just the need for a new line which is causing me issues.

Thanks

macman

TalkTalk are not resellers, they operate their own LLU network. They do offer a non-LLU service, but it's very expensive compared to LLU. Other LLU options?
https://www.samknows.com, do an exchange search.

smuvly

Avoid them like the plague!
Martin really slipped up recommending this bunch of cowboys!

The customer Reps make second hand car salesmen look like saints!

I tried to take up the online offer currently recommended by Martin.
Via U-switch, on the TalkTalk online webpage.
This managed to take the financial transaction, confirmed by my bank, but it's web page said there was an error and did not confirm the order.
I had tried a couple of times and four transactions had gone through for £114 to Talk Talk.
I rang up their Customer line only to be told a pack of lies!
First they told me I couldn't have the pre-paid line rental in the deal and I should buy the same package over the phone.
The next Rep said that none of the on-line financial transactions could be trusted because I came through a third party U-switch web page!! And I should place my order with him over the phone as I could trust him....yea right!

So... I now have numerous outstanding financial transactions taken by TalkTalk, no record on their Sales system that I have applied, and if I want to talk to their OTHER Customer service...because they are not willing to transfer me on the free number ...I will have to call their charged 0870 number just to get my money back!!
If you want to trust them after this charade...you're welcome to them, but just be careful because it's obvious everyone you talk to on the free number is obsessed with getting you to buy from them over the phone.

Mark_In_Hampshire

If you move and remain with BT, what will the contract length be? Might you want to change during that time?

It's at new line install time that providers might well give a discount or offer it free (subsidise it for you) but then want a long lock-in.

If you're tempted by Sky now, and the option of staying with BT for 18 months means you'll be stuck with them, does that suggest starting out with Sky might be the better option?

By the way there's probably another £30 fee to come on your last bill for unplugging the broadband from the circuit. You might like to ask BT about that, and if that's to be waived if you move with them. And if so, if that then involves taking their broadband for 18 months too.

TalkTalk

Hi Smuvly,

In regards to your issue if you use the contact us form on the TalkTalk Members Site we can look to provide more assistance for you on your issue. You cant register on the Members Forum if your TT account is yet to be setup but we will look into this issue if you contact us using the form on that page.

totallybonkers - I can confirm as posted below that TT do use our own LLU network, where available. Where we do not have LLU present we do provide services via BT Wholesale.

Feel free to choose your supply as you wish, my purpose of posting here was to provide support for Smuvly and the above confirmation, rather than any input on your choice of supplier. My apologies if you feel this is hijacking the thread in any way

Regards

Mark
TalKTalk Online Community Department

totallybonkers

Thanks all for your help.
Samknows says I can get BT Wholesale ADSL, BT Wholesale ADSL Max, AOL LLU and Talk Talk (CPU) LLU. Unfortunately I didn't ask what the new contract would be, my current contract with BT was 12 months although that was a retention deal. BT only mentioned the £45 cancellation fee, which I was surprised it was so low as I am only about half way into the 12 month contract.
My next step I think is to ring both BT and Sky and ask about all these hidden extra fees and charges for cancelling etc, and also contract length. I'm slightly wairy about going with one of the resellers, and have heard nothing but negative reviews about Talk Talk despite their cheapish prices.
Thanks all

macman

With TT as your only LLU provider, you've little option but to use them, or pay more and use a decent reseller.