Unicom Complaints

Pixarstem

When a telephone company upsets as many of their customers as Unicom Telecommunications (Universal Utilities) (switchingon) has done, it was inevitable that a web site dedicated to hearing complaints from customers would appear online and a new website has been created for this purpose.
I can't leave a link but if you Google unicom complaints it will find it.
The site invites anyone who has had, or is having a bad experience with Unicom to tell their story for all to see. The site also offers useful links to Ofcom to help and advice anyone having problems with Unicom.
The web site is still in its early stages of development but the more people that hear about Unicom’s dreadful business practices, the better.

fugglestick

When i signed my telephone contract in 2005, it was a 3 year contract, and i didnt have a problem with that. But now we need a new office phone system, Unicom are much more expensive than other providers.
I contacted Uncom to cancel, but were told the contract automatically renewed until Feb. 2014...OMG.
Although the contract does say "initial fixed supply period, 3 years, it also states tucked away on the back that "this agreement will remain in force - a: for a minimum supply period of 3 years and continue thereafter until terminated by the customer giving to UU not less than 3 months written notice to expire on any third anniversary of the start of the supply period" ....wow... didn't see that one coming.

So, if I am really stuck with this, and what annoys me is they have just put up their line rental [TEXT DELETED BY FORUM TEAM], even though they guaranteed to fix the price in 2008, can I get out of this contract December this year when OFCOM bans 3 year rolling contracts?
Thanks all. :mad:

macman

That will ban future 3 year contracts, not I think existing ones.

fugglestick

[TEXT DELETED BY FORUM TEAM]

I checked the file today, have all the paperwork and see the contract was taken out Feb 2005, with a separate letter fixing prices. Received another letter Oct. 08, fixing prices again,. Then line rental up from £12.35pm to £13.99 in 2010, no notification of any increase, nor advice that the contract was rolling on, it was rolled on in Feb 2011 for another 3 years.
:mad:

Thank you

GTS

I think it has been shut down. Access denied

GTS

[TEXT DELETED BY FORUM TEAM]

I joined in 2005, tried to get out in 2009 to find out that my fixed, auto renewing 3 year contract was still in place so a termination fee of £1000 would be payable. I stayed with them & requested a copy of their terms & conditions. I went through it with a fine tooth comb. 3 months before the renewal date I wrote to them requesting termination of my contract as per T&C's. The termination took place in Oct 2011 but being as I was very busy with work I forgot to organise a company to take over my phone line. I received a bill from Unicom the following month, wandering why they were still billing me I spoke to a customer care operator advising me that we were no longer in a 3 year fixed contract & would be billed on a monthly basis till a transfer request was issued by a take over company. Breathing a sigh of relief being out of a renewing 3 year contract I forgot about it. Sky offered me a good deal to run along side my TV & broadband so I took it up. They took over on the 03/05/2012.

Unicom have sent me a termination fee for £1061.82. According to them because the phone line was not taken over within 30 days of termination my 3 year auto renewing contract was reinstated. I read the T&C's which does not mention it. I questioned them about it. Their reply was a letter was sent in July 2010 informing all customers about the changes which I did not receive. They also say they sent letters for further changes to their T&C's relating to Jan 2011 & Oct 2011. I did not receive any communication relating to the changes.

Therefore I did not know I had 30 days to complete a transfer thus being in breach of T&C's therefore cannot leave unless I pay the termination fee. I have read the Ofcom have banned rolling contracts and all that are tied in have to be changed by Dec 2012 but Unicom say that because I renewed before the dead line it still stands.

Any advise on this would be appreciated.

Geckogirl

Just wondered how both GTS and Fugglestick were getting on with their situations?

[TEXT DELETED BY FORUM TEAM]

steveb70

Hi RMJ - u asked me to leave a response - it would be great to chat esp if you have any advice that may help in dealing with this awful co

Thanks

Pixarstem

Unicom's Solution to Negative Comments?

Perhaps regular users of this site can comment on whether Unicom is alone in getting so many negative comments about them removed or edited from this site or whether this practice is used by other telecom companies to such an extent on other threads?

On this thread alone, of the 38 postings that remain, 13 have had 'text deleted by forum team' and several posts have disappeared altogether following complaints by Unicom.

I know of many other web sites, blogs and postings that Unicom have managed to get negative comments removed but do other telecom companies find it necessary to operate in this way?

How are consumers supposed to make informed decisions if not allowed to read other people's experiences?

electro_bits

So about 2 years ago I had an account with Unicom telecom for a telephone line in my business. A year ago I sold my business and told them I had sold my business and wanted to clear my outstanding balance, the person on the phone told me I had about £30 to pay that included the line rental etc so I paid the balance and that wa the end of it according to the person on the phone. I didn't hear anything from them till today when I received a phone call sayin that I owed them £357.90. I asked what this was for and they told me it was a termination fee which they forgot to tell me a year ago. Im not paying this as I wasnt told at the time and I am being told a year later. Also it was ever mentioned in my contract at the time as it was a verbal contract which was done over the phone when the previous owner changed the bills and account onto my name. My question is what happens if I don't pay? Could I go to Ofcom? :think: