Utility Warehouse (Telecom Plus) Discussion

keggs

SwanJon wrote: »

Nige - you haven't commented on my example above - a fellow UW ID making false statements about UW's competitiors.

As far as I can see UW has enough unique benefits to stand for itself (although I'll admit to the enrgy side of it being fuzzy atm).
When salesmen feel the need to make stuff up to support it, I wonder why it needs the support. Am I missing something? Should I be more sceptical?

Anyway, back to the cable issue - does it work in the same way as a 'BT -line' (carrier pre-selection) or do I need a box? Due to wierd history I currently have both Sky & Virgin TV (needs looking at) - so not averse to dropping the cable.

Hi Swanjon

You will need a smart box for cable calls. The first is free. Unfortunately CPS doesn't work for Cable. Incidentally, the Smart box does not interfere with either Sky or Virgin. Make sure though that you get rid of the any 'call' bit you have with either as you will end up paying for both. The Smart Box is simple to set up and it over rides (diverts) calls away from the current supplier.

Hope that helps.

Been a while since I talked about phones and smart boxes. I am going to check with HO but I thing that even if you are in contract with BT you can use CPS to transfer calls via UW. When the contract ends the line rental can be transferred.

You sound as if you have a complicated system at home. Are you sure that your line can't be reconnected as a BT type line?

Steve
UW Distributor & Very Happy Customer

keggs

hippey wrote: »

The UW thing seems complicated, long winded and somewhat confusing, I did finally get the figures from the UW site when I looked a bit more, they were slightly more expensive but not to far over the top.

The broadband and landline are reasonable, but not cheap and the discount card is long winded, having to top up a prepaid mastercard, and then get 5% on the bill............ It obviously works for some people, just not me.

Unfortunatly the one thing that has come to light is the comments of distributors on this board. Every company has a place in the market and UW is one of them, but it's reps really do let the side down, and even if I was tempted by the offers, I would be put off by the unprofessional style of a few reps.


(And excuse the spelling it is 2am!!)

Thanks for your input. Sorry UW doesn't work out for you but keep an eye on things as that could change in the future.

I agree with you about this site but in defence of my fellow IDs, a small vociferous minority (the AUWF) have deliberately tried to use this site to vent their anti UW feelings. They think they can say whatever they like and get away with it but UW IDs are supposed to keep to the rules. If you think that is fair then so be it. Personally I do not (and wouldn't even if I wasn't an ID). If some IDs (and I include myself here at times) get a bit hot under the collar and it's with just cause. If that appears unprofessional then I can only apologise to you and other casual readers. But can I ask you in return to keep a little more of an open mind.

Personally I have no intention of responding to anything that the 3 main protagonists say unless I am forced to by circumstance. Instead I wish to simply to help out any queries made if I can. But no doubt I will then be accused of spamming.

Best wishes
Steve
UW Distributor & Very Happy Customer
ps watch out for the pernicious comments to this comment. I'll be very surprised if there aren't. I will welcome it though, even if it is just a respite.

AvengerSeawolf

jimexbox wrote: »

So we would agree then that if you are not addicted like some to 0870/0845 prefix numbers, the possibility of free broadband/phone, even a profit. (sufficient spend on discount card applicable) Would be a unbeatable combination, when used in conjunction with a cheap online energy tariff?

I still haven't heard a coherent argument, apart from addiction, as to why this package wouldn't work for the vast majority of UW customers.

You make a valid point Jimexbox, but in my own experience, energy is strangely normally the first service that most of my customers want to take. I don't labour on about the TVG as I find that showing potential customers the 3rd party credibility UW has received for their energy services is usually enough (Which? magazine etc).

I personally ask what they want from their suppliers, and you would be surprised how often it doesn't come down to price alone - in many cases it's service or simple-to-read bills. On many occassions the customer will regale me with some horror story they've had with a previous/current supplier. From there I show them our phone/BB/mobiles and then show my own bill and introduce the Customer Discount Plan and the Cashback Card. The telephone and BB normally sell themselves (good value and again good 3rd party recognition). The vast majority love the idea of one bill, and then the opportunity to reduce the bill via the CBC and CDP. I actually only tell them about the free calls they've qualified for at the end too. It's the Club idea I think that really appeals if presented properly and if it fits with their circumstances.

I truly can see your point, but there are many out there who want what UW have. Hope this helps.

I am a UW ID.

vinnyph

jimexbox wrote: »

So we would agree then that if you are not addicted like some to 0870/0845 prefix numbers, the possibility of free broadband/phone, even a profit. (sufficient spend on discount card applicable) Would be a unbeatable combination, when used in conjunction with a cheap online energy tariff?

I still haven't heard a coherent argument, apart from addiction, as to why this package wouldn't work for the vast majority of UW customers.

Take four services. for instance, broadcall (telephone and broadband), gas and electricity. Someone in LLU area would get broadcall at £19.99. This gives up to 24Mbps broadband with 40 GB/month usage with no minimum term contract. They would get unlimited free land line calls to 0870,0845,01,02,03 and 10 global countries at all times 24/7 at no extra cost. UW have calculated that the average person using UW saves nearly £10 a month because of these free calls. Its because they have an integrated billing system, research like this can be performed in minutes by charles wigoder. I save a lot more than this because of using the phone a lot during day time. Taking the membership fee into account, the average household using UW saves nearly £100 a year by taking 4 services because of free calls.

In addition there are now 175 different places where people can get a discount by being a UW customer.

There is of course the cashback card.

In addition there is the Customer Discount Plan by referring.

For a short time people can also get a £100 rebate after 12 months by taking 4 services.

I would suggest to hippy that when comparing the UW broadcall deal to other companies he should take into account that often other companies give a cheaper headline rate for the first 3 or 6 months but then the price goes up. However they often charge a connection fee and often the cheaper rate for the first few months is actually a rebate that gets paid back after a set period of time. I have never known someone say the broadcall deal is expensive before.

It's the price you actually pay overall that counts at the end of the day if it is just price you value your company with.

Now I am not trying to get you to change. It's completely up to you what you want to do.

UW customer and distrbutor. part time poet.

Former_MSE_Andrea

A reminder to everyone posting on this thread of the points Martin made in his original post four years ago:


However due to past experiences some strict rules

i. All Telecom Plus Distributers must declare it when they post
ii. All workers or those related to other utility companies must declare it
iii. There are to be no abusive comments, accusations of fraud.
iv. Anyone breaking the above rules will be barred first of all from this board, and if they persist from the Chat Forums

...

And Please I know there are two very polemic views on Utility Warehouse going to be expressed in this thread. Please do not libel anyone. Treat those with opposing arguments with respect, even though you disagree and please try and avoid personal remarks. I live in hope!

1carminestocky

Often overlooked is the no min contract angle with the phone/broadband (subject to a £50 penalty if you leave within the first 12 months). most other phone/broadband deals insist on a min 12 month contract and it's water-tight - you wish to leave, you have to pay up the remainder. Hard to put a value on UWs no min contract deal but, for instance, Be Broadband seem to think it's worth approx £4.50 per month for the first 12 months at least. Which equates to £54 per year.

jimexbox

vinnyph wrote: »

Take four services. for instance, broadcall (telephone and broadband), gas and electricity. Someone in LLU area would get broadcall at £19.99. This gives up to 24Mbps broadband with 40 GB/month usage with no minimum term contract. They would get unlimited free land line calls to 0870,0845,01,02,03 and 10 global countries at all times 24/7 at no extra cost.

Take only UW broadband and phone (free weekend calls), and make you international calls free Skype to Skype, perfect for friends and family who live abroad. Like I've already said all this possibly for free, even a profit, if you spend on the UW discount card is large enough. If you work, which I presume many UW customers do, I cannot possibly see any reason to have 24/7 calls, its an unnecessary luxury.

So free broadband and phone with UW (subject to sufficient spend on discount card) with free weekend calls. Free Skype to Skype international calls. Use 'saynoto0870' too avoid paying for national rate numbers. Then choose a far cheaper online energy tariff. Genuine money savers should be able to see the clear benefits from such a strategy. Which is why carmine added me to his ignore list when he couldn't offer a coherent/logical reason not to follow this course.

vinnyph

Three brass monkeys on a tree,
they point my tree out to me.
They jest and pose,
then even suppose,
That my tree is no good for me.

Everyone knows to juxtapose,
that my tree just grows and grows,
Your tree will bend,
it's roots won't mend.
Of that even Bayer knows

My tree gives tranquillity,
and one fine day I will be free.
Your tree is bent,
the more you vent,
it will collapse right before thee.

I suggest a helping hand,
to listen it would be grand.
To see my link,
might do the trick.
In the long run might save a pound.

http://www.bayeradvanced.com/product/Triple-Action-Landscape-Tree-and-Shrub-Food/

Vinnyph. Poet.

jimexbox

Rael wrote: »

On here, those who accused me of deceipt are those who are worried that the information they peddled was wrong, and they are upset that I already knew what they were saying was inaccurate. Yes, I trapped them into that by witholding some information, but I have learned a lot about the personalities here and their motivations from it. The ones who actually told the truth were the UW distributors who regularly post here. My experience of UW as a customer is exactly as they say it is. They have nothing to hide and aren't the ones calling me a liar. That speaks volumes to an ordinary customer-bod who knows a little bit about Marketing, intenet business and a lot of other things that Cardew, Quentin and their Acolytes have absolutely no idea about. :cool:

You obviously have no shame.

jimexbox

vinnyph wrote: »

Vinnyph. Poet.

So you see yourself as a poet, are a UW rep too? As I'm not sure because its never in your posts.