Leaving the UK, TalkTalk want disconn fees+++

Jamie_Carter

MillicentBystander wrote: »

It still doesn't make it right. Could you imagine Tesco insisting that you shop there for 12 months and if you don't charge a penalty so you are then free to shop at Asda? It's a nonsense that some of us have to grown to accept. Still doesn't make it right. And these introductory offers are wrong in any case and probably the real reason such companies have to tie their customers in for 12/18 months. The rise of disloyalty is all the companies' fault imo.

If they banned minimum term contracts, then prices would go up, and there would be no discounted period. It's only by keeping you in a minimum term contract that they can claw back the initial set up costs, as well as the discount they gave you.

The best thing the OP can do, is to contact OFCOM to see if there is any way around it.

MillicentBystander

Jamie_Carter wrote: »

If they banned minimum term contracts, then prices would go up, and there would be no discounted period. It's only by keeping you in a minimum term contract that they can claw back the initial set up costs, as well as the discount they gave you.

The best thing the OP can do, is to contact OFCOM to see if there is any way around it.

The BIB sort of backs up my argument, doesn't it? Because they give you introductory offers they have to tie you in for 12/18 months so you end up paying it back in real terms. It's basically all a marketing ploy. You've not really though this one through thoroughly, have you?

Jamie_Carter

MillicentBystander wrote: »

The BIB sort of backs up my argument, doesn't it? Because they give you introductory offers they have to tie you in for 12/18 months so you end up paying it back in real terms. It's basically all a marketing ploy. You've not really though this one through thoroughly, have you?

Yes we all know introductory discounts are a marketing ploy to get you to sign up to a new contract, and that's nothing new. But as I said, they have to claw back their initial set up costs, which they only have to pay out for once per contract term.

You haven't really thought this one through have you?

kwikbreaks

Some ISPs do offer basic monthly rolling contracts. Those same ISPs charge a setup fee (because they get one from Openreach), don't offer introductory discounts, free routers, etc. etc., don't appear in cashback sites, and there will still be a cease charge (pocketed by Openreach again) if no MAC is used.

Nobody is forcing people into minimum term contracts - it's a free choice.

The chances are that the OP received a discount in exchange for a new minimum term otherwise there would be no need to interact with the ISP at all as all these contract become rolling monthly once the minimum term is up. You can't have it all ways.

Jamie_Carter

kwikbreaks wrote: »

Some ISPs do offer basic monthly rolling contracts. Those same ISPs charge a setup fee (because they get one from Openreach), don't offer introductory discounts, free routers, etc. etc., don't appear in cashback sites, and there will still be a cease charge (pocketed by Openreach again) if no MAC is used.

Nobody is forcing people into minimum term contracts - it's a free choice.

The chances are that the OP received a discount in exchange for a new minimum term otherwise there would be no need to interact with the ISP at all as all these contract become rolling monthly once the minimum term is up. You can't have it all ways.

I have a rolling contract with Virgin, as I wasn't happy with them, and told them that if they don't sort the problems out, then I would be leaving them (they are sorted now). They let me make some changes to the package, but insist on a new minimum term for some additions.

All contracts should revert to rolling contracts once the minimum term is up, unless you make any big changes, or get a discount to go onto another minimum term.

zagfles

Gazza68 wrote: »

Hi,
I've been with TalkTalk for many many years. The current renewed contract I am on was for 18months back in Jan'13, and I'm leaving the UK permanently in mid-Nov, and want to terminate my service (BB + Phone) at the end of Oct so I can move out and stay with family for the last 2 weeks. I paid for the 12 month VLR upfront, so should essentially have 3 months 'credit' on that, and they still want to charge me another £67. I always thought there were exceptions to the disconnection charges / penalities in the contract such as death, moving oversea's (or to an area within the UK with no TalkTalk service - which happened to me in 2008). It's not as if I am moving to BT, etal - and I can provide proof by means of airline tickets, notification to the council, gas & electrical supplier, etc. Really think this is unfair, I was not expecting to leave the UK when the contract was renewed in good faith in Jan'13, and is only something that has happened in the last 3 months, and confirmed last week. I'm really annoyed....:mad: Should I just tell a 'lie' and say I moving to an area where I know there is no TalkTalk service ?
Appreciate your comments and suggestions.
Many thanks

Did you get a "free" YouView box with this contract? If so that's what you're paying for. You might get £67 if you sell it.

jpsartre

MillicentBystander wrote: »

Could you imagine Tesco insisting that you shop there for 12 months and if you don't charge a penalty so you are then free to shop at Asda?

Why not? Aside from the fact that it would impossible to enforce in practice I see no problem with offering such a scheme as long as the T&C of it are clearly outlined from the get-go. The problem is not minimum term contracts, it's people like the OP that are happy to enter into a contract at a reduced price and then cry about it when they aren't allowed to break the contract without consequences. We don't need laws here, we need consumers to act like responsible adults.

Gazza68

zagfles wrote: »

Did you get a "free" YouView box with this contract? If so that's what you're paying for. You might get £67 if you sell it.

No, just plan ole phone and BB with an optional booster addon of anytime calls (Talk Talk are happy to increase that booster though - twice this year so far)

Gazza68

Jamie_Carter wrote: »

I have a rolling contract with Virgin, as I wasn't happy with them, and told them that if they don't sort the problems out, then I would be leaving them (they are sorted now). They let me make some changes to the package, but insist on a new minimum term for some additions.

All contracts should revert to rolling contracts once the minimum term is up, unless you make any big changes, or get a discount to go onto another minimum term.

Agreed - I was with them in 2006 to 2008 when I had to move - no problems with penalties etc and that was the second 12 month contract. Once moved I tried to sign up with TalkTalk again, but hey were not in the area and had to go with BT. Luckily when my BT contract ended, TalkTalk then had a presence in the area and went back to them. This is currently my third 12 month contract (10 months into it) - but somehow, what they've managed to do, is get me on to a 12 month phone contract and an 18 month BB contract (or visa versa) Think that's why the amount is somewhat high. Have the renewal letter and emails for the 12 month contract. I've given up on the trying to sort this out with their CC in South Africa - still not received a breakdown of charges for that £67, and won't provide a telephone number of UK based manager....I shall continue....

Jamie_Carter

Gazza68 wrote: »

Agreed - I was with them in 2006 to 2008 when I had to move - no problems with penalties etc and that was the second 12 month contract. Once moved I tried to sign up with TalkTalk again, but hey were not in the area and had to go with BT. Luckily when my BT contract ended, TalkTalk then had a presence in the area and went back to them. This is currently my third 12 month contract (10 months into it) - but somehow, what they've managed to do, is get me on to a 12 month phone contract and an 18 month BB contract (or visa versa) Think that's why the amount is somewhat high. Have the renewal letter and emails for the 12 month contract. I've given up on the trying to sort this out with their CC in South Africa - still not received a breakdown of charges for that £67, and won't provide a telephone number of UK based manager....I shall continue....

So I presume that as far as you were concerned you were on a package bundle, that should end at the same time?

If so then contact OFCOM for advice.