Broadband setup fee

ukch

Hi forumites,
I've just moved into a new place, where the previous occupants had broadband with BT, which they cancelled when we moved in.

Now, I'd like to get broadband with Andrews & Arnold (aaisp.com). They're not the cheapest, but as a bit of a networking geek I will appreciate the extra services the provide. The only problem is, they charge a hefty £50 setup fee for new installations, and since the previous broadband was cancelled (instead of transferred using a code), ours counts as a 'new installation' (the fee for transfers is only £1). I phoned them up to ask if the fee could possibly be waived in this case, but they told me the fee is a representation of the fees charged to them by BT wholesale, and so they have no choice but to charge it.

This got me thinking: If I signed up with someone else (someone who doesn't charge a setup fee, for instance BT), then before the 30 days was up, asked to transfer, I could possibly avoid the fee.

So, I just wanted to ask, do people think this might be possible? Has anyone tried this, or something like this?

iniltous

If you contracted with another provider, then cancelled and transferred to your preferred provider, you would probably be hit with early termination charges and that may well be more than the £50 connection fee, as far as having to pass the charge on, OR charge about £30 + vat, and plenty of company's waive this charge to get a customer signed up,

cajef

ukch wrote: »

the previous broadband was cancelled (instead of transferred using a code), ours counts as a 'new installation'

The purpose of a MAC is for an existing customer to transfer broadband from one ISP to another, it cannot be used to transfer from customer to customer.

As you have moved into the property you will have to take over the line rental therefore you are new customer, all ISP's will charge a connection fee some may waive the charge if you agree to at least a twelve month contract with them.

james_smitha

tell them to put a word like mallard in front of off

macman

Not a very good idea-as soon as you are connected, you will be contracted to the other provider's minimum term. The ETC will be much more than £50. You'd need to sign up to a £30 day contract with no ETC.

ukch

In the end I signed up with Plusnet, who offer a contract-free deal with setup fee of only £25, half of what the original provider was charging. Because it's contract-free, I can now transfer providers at my leisure.

macman

It's not 'contract free'. It's a 30 days notice contract.