best deal on upgrading bt broadband

parkside_stroller

I've been offered an upgrade by btbroadband but I'm looking for some advice on the possibility of getting a better deal. I don't want to switch broadband providers.

Here is some background -
I'm currently on BT option 1 for broadband which is £17.99 a month and they will upgrade that in return for a new contract of 12 months to a slightly better deal which offers greater download allowance, openzone wifi minutes and ability to get free off peak calls if I upgrade to a bt hub (extra cost if I stick with option 1).

I'm thinking of going for option 2 or 3 - see details here
as I can get the hub for free and get the phone that goes with it cheaper.

I'm not impressed that they are not offering a reduced rate for upgrading (existing) customers as they are for new customers - see here for prices.
New customers are getting the first 3-6 months cheaper on 12 month contracts (more on 18 months).

It is more expensive to get the equipment by phoning their sales line compared to buying online so I'm wary about going for this without the benefit of hearing other people's experiences.

In a nutshell - I'm wondering if anyone has managed to persuade them to offer a bit more to loyal customers who are prepared to commit for another year (I've been on this tarriff for about 21 months).

Dukie_Boy

Hi
my daughter has just gone on option 2
what swung it for her was the free anti virus package I think its worth about £40
cheers Dukie Boy

parkside_stroller

Yes the free antivirus would be included in the deal and it's one of the factors which encourages me. I just feel they should be offering more to existing customers.

parkside_stroller

A few reasons why I want to stay albertross ....

Can't be bothered with hassle of migrating, I've found BT support is ok compared to the only other one I've had any experience of recently - CPW (I do about 50% of my mum's numerous calls to their customer service on her behalf).
I've also found the BT service mostly reliable.

I know there are cheaper services out there, but when I take everything into consideration, I'm happy to stay if I can get the same as new customers (or at least something sweeter than they have already offered).

The free calls over the broadband service is of interest as is the new digital tv service they are rolling out (again they have some offer on that one to entice me but I still grudge the idea of £60 installation and £30 connection fee even if they are offering a free VT box to me if I go for option 2 or 3 broadband).

I use 18866 for calls mostly but I've found their call connection prices have crept up so I sometimes won't even bother using their access number if I'm not 100% sure the call will be answered.

Thought about skype for calls but never got round to it but I'm well aware I probably should have a look on the boards and see what is happening in the cheap calls arena before making a final decision on all this.

If you want to recommend something else I'm open to suggestions however.

alba37

Don't forget to claim the Free Xbox wireless adaptor if you apply for BT Broadband before the end of June 07. Even if you don't want it, it should sell well on ebay.

Sorry, just re read OP and this is only available to new customers.

claireb

Call 0800 800 030 and tell them your switching and want your MAC code, this is what I did. They will want to know where/why your moving and what deal - just make something up. I got a reduction cost to £13.99 per month for 12 months and free upgrades and a new wireless modem. They offer an even cheaper deal if you take an 18month contract.

loulou41

I have just done that, the best offer is £13.99 per month for 12 months. What free upgrades did you get? I have asked about the 18 months contract but she says the £13.99 is the only offer going on. Not really interested with the wireless router at the moment.

claireb

Offer no.2 was 6 months free then back to £17.99 for 12months. maybe it depends on which sales person you talk to? On the deal I took they gave me increased to 8Mb speed ans not sur what they increased my limit to as i wasn't paying attention to that bit (I never go over the limit anyway). The fact they offered me so much was probably because I was on a rubbish deal to start with.

Two days before they had called me to try and tie me in for another 12months with the offer of free upgrades. I declined as I was happy with my existing limites. That prompted me to realise I was no longer tied in and hence the shopping around. Only when I went to them with a cheaper service offered by Pipex did they offer me something a bit better. As it turned out, with Pipex you still had to pay line rental to BT, so it wasn't the saving I'd thought it was, however, it gave me leverage to get the discounted BT rate.

loulou41

Thanks, mine was due to expire on the 11th June. After reading your post I phoned CS and I just took another contract starting today and will review in another 12 months. Offer No.2 is quite a good deal, I would have taken it if it was offered to me. Anyway, quite happy as it is now. Was considering going with Sky and pay £10 to get free installation but the negative feedbacks put off. As it is, you ohave saved me £4 a moonth. Thanks

parkside_stroller

BT Total Broadband

After a phone call every week from BT sales staff trying to get me to upgrade (and tie me in for another 12 months), I finally emailed them with a list of points.

I'm too far from exchange to get an increase in Broadband speed.

I don't use my computer in public areas so free openzone minutes would be nice but I probably would use very few of them - if any.

I have 600 anytime, any network minutes on my mobile therefore free calls via the new BT home hub is of no value to me as I currently only use about 300 of the mobile minutes.

Would have to go to Option 3 to get free equipment (Hub and phone) to make free evening and weekend calls.

Got an phone call today - offered me a £4 per month discount on my bill without having to tie in to another 12 month contract.

The woman said I should also call back in 12 months time to see what is on offer at that time.

I'd call that a reasonable result as I didn't really want to migrate to another service (although I would have if they didn't offer a loyal customer something worth having).

The woman from BT was very reasonable I thought - recognised quite clearly that there really wasn't anything in their offer for me - hence the offer of the discount.

dylel

BT have refused to honour their offer of a free wireless adaptor.

Has anyone else had a problem with this??

I followed the link only to go back to the bt site to order my broadband - I phoned to complain, but got through to a stroppy little mare with one hell of an attitude problem, denying point blank that this link would send me to the ordinary broadband site! According to her no-one has had a problem - please help me prove the little madam wrong!!