BEWARE T-Mobile early termination fee when useing pac code...

grumbler

It's risky to leave using the PAC till the last day, but if you use it a few days earlier then, according to the T&C, they have to charge you only until the 23rd. In practice, as this thread demonstrates, they are likely to try robbing you.

dharle

I was wrong and today marks 30 days until the end of the contract. We've just rung CS to give 30 days notice. I thought we could request the PAC later (as this appears to be the date that termination charges are calculated from) but was told that 30 days notice actually only begins when the PAC is requested! As mentioned above by gambler, it makes a mockery of having to give 30 days notice in that case! Therefore, my dad also now has his PAC. It looks like we'll just use it two/three days before its expiry (as recommended by the CS lady) but will brace ourselves for an early termination charge (which she claimed there wouldn't be...). The whole thing is a con and leaves a bitter taste. The problem is that few people complain (as presumably they're happy to be finally leaving) and so companies like T-Mobile get away with it.

Coolhandluke

Just off with TMobile,I was also charged an early termination fee for porting over 2 days early but gave off stink and they eventually relented and have returned the charge.

gunner786

just checked an account i ported out 2 days ago and they have added on an early termination fee the snakes. and to think i git 4 lines with them

gunner786

they closed today but what do i say when i ring them tmrow?

gunner786

contract ends on 5th aug requested pac code on 5th july and ported out on 19th july. its £11something.

bylromarha

seeing this thread has prompted the fact I had charges cancelling last month. Have I been thieved?! :eek:

Remember thinking at the time - I did everything they told me to when I requested my PAC. My contract due to end 28 June. PAC kicked in 25th June. Refund of £1.18 returned for the 3 days, but had the following on my bill.

One-off charges and credits
MNP Early Termination Penalty (VAT Exempt) £4.11
Notice Period Charge £4.41
Total one-off charges and credits £8.52


Should I be writing to T-mobile tomorrow?

gjchester

bylromarha wrote: »

Remember thinking at the time - I did everything they told me to when I requested my PAC. My contract due to end 28 June. PAC kicked in 25th June. Refund of £1.18 returned for the 3 days, but had the following on my bill.

You can't give notice to cancel and have a PAC code active. Asking for a PAC overrides a cancellation notice.

Using a PAC cancels an account but you didn't give notice, so you get a 30 day termination fee. Some or all of this may have been covered it the fact line rental is usually charged in advance but it looks like you've been charged the fee twice.

yaacov81

I recently had exactly the same problem with T Mobile.
It happens every time you end a contract with either them or Orange.
The way I see it, it is a no lose situation. Half of people will either not notice or not bother complaining. The other half will call up and get a refund but they have still pocketed the money from the others.
It seems the tactic has now changed as they refused to refund me this time. I asked to speak to a manager and refused their offer of a call back as I know exactly what that means. I just got put on hold for a while and then the line went dead.

In the end I complained to a contact I have though my work and he got the credit applied.
Even still I had to call up again to get the money paid as apparently ‘no one had requested the money to be paid into my account’

Spoke to my mother yesterday and she has had the same problem on two accounts. She just doesn’t have the time to deal with it.

I think it is disgraceful behaviour and want to get OFCOM to investigate them for this. They must make millions of pounds off this.
The question is whether they would listen to one lone individual and the best way to go about it.

philce

My experience.

Rang for my PAC on Aug 19th, contract ends on Sept 6th (confirmed by CS rep in UK). PAC is duly sent as SMS and I intend to use a few days before Sept 19th when it expires.

Just checked my bill and I have been charged a Early termination penalty of £14.08 (I am on iPhone £31 per month) billing date is the 7th of the month.

So now they actually charge before the contract is actually ended!

Just had the 30 minute call to customer services and initially they refused to refund, I insisted and once I pointed out that the line is still active, and I am passed my contract end (Sept 6th) that they should not charge a termination penalty. I even had to explain the difference between the line rental and termination penalty!

Suffice to say I am assured that a credit will be applied to my account "within 24 hrs".

This happened last year with my daughters line on the same account where I requested the PAC within the 30 days of the end of the contract, but actually ported out after the contract end.

I know they are all in it to make money, but this is very underhand, and in my opinion, dishonest.

To add insult to injury now if I check the "upgrade offers" as my contract has ended, I am now offered a £15 per month discount on my existing contract. When I called I was offered nothing!
Its a new 18 Month contract, so I don't think Ill be taking that one!