BT are ripping off my mum!

the_mixer

My mum has recently become a pensioner and has mental health issues. She relies on her landline to deal with the outside world and probably uses it a little too much, or at least some aspects of it like Directory Enquiries and the odd alarm call.

While I know these services are dear I was shocked when she told me her latest bill was over £230, as she is not really a heavy user at all. I was even shocked when I phoned them up and discovered this was for ONE MONTH!

On closer inspection the itemised bill revealed a few dir enq calls which were ludicrously overpriced, including a few at over ten or even fifteen pounds. A few alarm calls at nearly six quid too. Thing is my mum can't access the internet as most of us now do to get phone numbers, and is being heavily penalised for this. Needless to say with her health problems and age she is on not a lot of money and can't afford this, meaning inevitably I will have to cough up some.

I was livid about this. I've always loathed BT but now hate them even more. Do I have any good options in reducing the bill (they offered 6 free months b/band though I told them she had no computer) or better still any tips as to how avoid this happening again. Unfortunately my mum is very reluctant to change provider.

Torry_Quine

this should be of help. It says that you can get free directory enquiries if you can't use a phone book

http://www.diwb.org/main/directory.php?element=193

ukcarper

Have you considered the BT unlimited calls plan £4.90 a month plus line rental this does not include mobiles, directory enquires etc.

I would have thought that if the calls to directory enquires were in excess of £10 they were put through by directory enquires it is normally a lot cheaper to write down number and dial it yourself.

You do not have to used BTs directory enquires there are others I'm not sure they are much cheaper though.

DUTR

the_mixer wrote: »

My mum has recently become a pensioner and has mental health issues. She relies on her landline to deal with the outside world and probably uses it a little too much, or at least some aspects of it like Directory Enquiries and the odd alarm call.

While I know these services are dear I was shocked when she told me her latest bill was over £230, as she is not really a heavy user at all. I was even shocked when I phoned them up and discovered this was for ONE MONTH!

On closer inspection the itemised bill revealed a few dir enq calls which were ludicrously overpriced, including a few at over ten or even fifteen pounds. A few alarm calls at nearly six quid too. Thing is my mum can't access the internet as most of us now do to get phone numbers, and is being heavily penalised for this. Needless to say with her health problems and age she is on not a lot of money and can't afford this, meaning inevitably I will have to cough up some.

I was livid about this. I've always loathed BT but now hate them even more. Do I have any good options in reducing the bill (they offered 6 free months b/band though I told them she had no computer) or better still any tips as to how avoid this happening again. Unfortunately my mum is very reluctant to change provider.

Fair enough you have a gripe with the company, however your Mum could call you and you get the number for her, alarm calls? Never see the point, alarm clocks are next to giveaway, she is your parent and you would not be here without her input in the past, soo look at it as giving back for the good health and longtivity for your Mum .

the_mixer

DUTR wrote: »

Fair enough you have a gripe with the company, however your Mum could call you and you get the number for her, alarm calls? Never see the point, alarm clocks are next to giveaway, she is your parent and you would not be here without her input in the past, soo look at it as giving back for the good health and longtivity for your Mum .

I stated my mum has mental health issues and does not always think logically like that. Rather than ring me all the time for numbers when I'm not available, or write down the number herself - when the number is usually given automated unsurprisingly - it is easier to just be put through as suggested by the money hungry operator's customer service rep.

the_mixer

Torry_Quine wrote: »

this should be of help. It says that you can get free directory enquiries if you can't use a phone book

http://www.diwb.org/main/directory.php?element=193

Fantastic, thank you so much!!! Useful posts like these make this forum amazing...

the_mixer

ukcarper wrote: »

Have you considered the BT unlimited calls plan £4.90 a month plus line rental this does not include mobiles, directory enquires etc.

No that sounds even worse if anything lol. Dear oh dear.

ukcarper

the_mixer wrote: »

No that sounds even worse if anything lol. Dear oh dear.

Why does that sound worse doesnt she call many land lines.

the_mixer

ukcarper wrote: »

Why does that sound worse doesnt she call many land lines.

No, mostly mobiles or 0845 numbers to health care providers!

Torry_Quine

the_mixer wrote: »

No, mostly mobiles or 0845 numbers to health care providers!

0845 and 0870 numbers are included in the inclusive calls package

ukcarper

the_mixer wrote: »

No, mostly mobiles or 0845 numbers to health care providers!

For £8 instead of the £4.90 you can get half price calls to mobiles.