BT charges that I think are incorrect?

JBond007

Hi, I first would like to say a huge thank you to everyone. I have read lots of helpful info throughout this site. I hope I can help others in the future too.

I looked at my BT bill a few weeks ago and realised that I was being charged for an unlimited anytime plan and equipment rental. I believe I have never asked for any of these.

On speaking to BT I have found out the anytime plan goes back to feb 2010 and equipment rental back to jan 1991. The line was installed in 1986 solely for an alarm system.

I read all the horror stories on here so after a few customer services calls I phoned the chairmans office.

If you have a major problem. This is what you should do.

They have given me a final deal of 6 months back on both these issues as a goodwill gesture. Approx £40.
They said if I would like to take it further then it will be outside of BT and they would send me a letter with their final offer and I should go to ombudsman communications. Dept.

Any thoughts on what I should do? Accept. Or take further and see if I can get more. BT say that I should have checked my bills and told them of problems straight away and it's up to me, which I sort of understand! I think that as I never asked for these though its not my fault. I could understand if they can't go all the way back to 1991, but a little further than 6 months must be possible...

Thank you again

macman

So you haven't looked at your phone bill since 1991?!
How are either you or BT going to prove it either way going back 22 years-there will be no records.
I'd take the 6m credit before they change their minds....

JBond007

Any further opinions? Thank you.

brewerdave

Have to agree with macman -grab the cash and run!!
Presumably the equipment charge relates to an old phone or remote bell ? Must admit I thought those sort of charges stopped in the mid 80s -but the onus was on you to challenge,they have no way of knowing that you aren't using it anymore -when I cancelled my "equipment rental" I had to return the (very old) phone in a jiffy bag!.
As to Anytime plan -I suspect you were sold it when you renewed back in 2010 -I seem to remember that BT went on a selling offensive around then cos so many people were jumping ship to other phone suppliers.It may have been missold - if you haven't used the phone for ANY calls at all in the 3 years ,that MIGHTsupport a claim.....but I suspect it would be a long and hard road to get the proof together unless you have copies of all you bills!

JBond007

brewerdave wrote: »

Thanks for your help. (Sorry but I don't know how to do quotes properly so this is probably going to look rather odd..

(Presumably the equipment charge relates to an old phone or remote bell ?)
No, I have never had anything on this line. I had it installed only for an alarm system. The only calls will be alarm alert calls to alarm company if the alarm went off, so not many calls, not to warrant any call plan.
(but the onus was on you to challenge,they have no way of knowing that you aren't using it anymore)
Yes I do understand this.
(-when I cancelled my "equipment rental" I had to return the (very old) phone in a jiffy bag!.)
Iv never asked for any equipment rental. Never needed it.

(As to Anytime plan -I suspect you were sold it when you renewed back in 2010)
No, Iv been told by BT that this is likely their fault. They changed computer systems at this time in 2010 and this was a common problem

(unless you have copies of all you bills!)
I may have quite a few. I'll look.

Thanks very much again.

brewerdave

Sorry I can't be any more help -personally ,I think the equipment hire one is a dead duck -it goes back just too far,and it would be impossible to prove conclusively that you weren't supplied with a phone ,say.
If you have a lot of historic bills showing no( or very few) calls then you MIGHT get a better offer by claiming the misselling of the Anytime package -good luck -I'm afraid you'll need it with BT