BT's free evening call cost me £2.00

peterpajaro

Lookout, I've just been caught by the small print in BT's free evening and weekend call plan. I made a call after 7.00 p.m. thinking it would be free but they charged me over £2.00 because I was on the 'phone for 90 minutes. Apparently these free calls are only for up to one hour and then you are charged. Tou need to ring off before the hour expires and dial again if you need to continue the call on a free basis. No explanation given on the bill and I had to find the time to phone them and go through all their tedious options before I spoke to someone who told me it was all in the Terms & Conditions. Well, I don't think that's good enough. It should be included in the wording advertising and promoting the calling plan!

poppasmurf_bewdley

I thought everyone everywhere was aware of that condition. It's been like that with every phone company since inclusive minute contracts came out. It's always pointed out on all adverts.

Funny how you know about the change from 6pm to 7pm which came into force not long ago but you didn't know about this.

System

Do you mean this bit that they cunningly hid



Note the bit that says UP TO an hour

aliasojo

Agree with poppasmurf.

Sorry OP but I don't even accept your 'small print' comment. I've just clicked on a calling plan on the BT site just now and there it is in black and white..the advice to hang up and redial to avoid being charged.

Obviously you were unaware, but I don't see that is BT's fault tbh, it's not as if they tried to bury the info, it's very apparent to all who read.

macman

The calls are not 'free', they are inclusive up to 60 mins at evenings and weekends, and always have been.

peterpajaro

:oOK, so it seems that I should have read the BIG print more carefully and now I'm eating humble pie.

thefirs

I think we should be grateful to the OP for bumping this issue and reinforcing our recollection in the future. I can't say our family have been caught out by this as I personally get a sore ear if I speak/listen for that long but a house sitter took advantage following my blythe invitation to exploit the 'free' off peak calls when she felt like it...you'd have thought the phone companies (yes they're all at it) would give the first hour on the tarrif wouldn't you, rather than hitting you for a hefty penalty at 61 minutes.

utilitybroker

thefirs wrote: »

you'd have thought the phone companies (yes they're all at it) would give the first hour on the tarrif wouldn't you, rather than hitting you for a hefty penalty at 61 minutes.

What hefty penalty are you on about ?

Ady87

I couldn't talk for an hour if i tried. I think i had a few 30minute attempts when i first got with my girlfriend but thats it!

macman

The first hour is inclusive. You pay for the time in excess of 60 minutes.

jamesperrett

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

It's been like that with every phone company since inclusive minute contracts came out.

There are companies that allow longer calls. I understand that Primus allow 90 minutes and our Eclipse package doesn't mention any limit. My wife is often on the phone for over an hour for her work and I have never seen any charges for calls to landlines since we've been with Eclipse.

James.