Online comparison not for present BT customers

TrickyNicky

Have just tried, unsuccessfully, to get BT to give me a good deal now my contract with them has ended. Would like to keep BT as use their free mobile service when away in campervan at weekends/holidays (didn't tell BT this).


Was told I can't apply for any on-line BT deals through comparison websites as I am already a BT customer. The website deals are for new customers only. He tried to convince me that the 12 month deal he was offering was better than the 18 month deal on-line. He pointed out that the present on-line prices don't include caller display so these prices will go up in January anyway. I couldn't even get the £25 Sainsburys voucher as I am already a BT customer. Told him I thought loyal existing customers should get a better deal but he said this was the best he could offer.


Clearly I don't have the negotiating skills of some forum folk! I should add I told them I was wanting to cancel my present contract to get a better deal elsewhere and was speaking to someone in that department so thought that was the way to do it. Any other ideas?


Many thanks

macman

Why on earth would they offer existing customers a better deal, unless you convince them that you will otherwise be leaving? That would be very poor business practice.
'Wanting to cancel' is slightly ambiguous. You need to ask for your MAC and ensure that you are put through to retentions-they're the only dept empowered to give out the decent deals.

TrickyNicky

Hi


Thanks for this extra piece of information. I will try this.


However, I am still surprised that renewing customers cannot apply for these comparison website on-line deals. Does that apply for electricity and gas comparison sites too?


Also, if someone signs a deal now for the price on the website, will they still have to pay the increased amount for the caller display come January? Doesn't seem right that they can hook people into an 18 month deal in December and then increase the monthly payments a month later.


Regards

poppasmurf_bewdley

TrickyNicky wrote: »

Also, if someone signs a deal now for the price on the website, will they still have to pay the increased amount for the caller display come January? Doesn't seem right that they can hook people into an 18 month deal in December and then increase the monthly payments a month later.


Regards

I would think the answer is yes. It's not as if you don't know the price is going to rise in January. If BT were keeping that a secret from you, then maybe the answer would be different.

macman

TrickyNicky wrote: »

Hi


Thanks for this extra piece of information. I will try this.


However, I am still surprised that renewing customers cannot apply for these comparison website on-line deals. Does that apply for electricity and gas comparison sites too?


Also, if someone signs a deal now for the price on the website, will they still have to pay the increased amount for the caller display come January? Doesn't seem right that they can hook people into an 18 month deal in December and then increase the monthly payments a month later.


Regards

Comp sites make their money by switching people and receiving commission. You can't 'switch' an existing customer if they sign up to a new deal with the same provider.
They can increase prices the day after you sign up or any time they like, because it's not a fixed price contract.

macman

TrickyNicky wrote: »

Hi


Thanks for this extra piece of information. I will try this.


However, I am still surprised that renewing customers cannot apply for these comparison website on-line deals. Does that apply for electricity and gas comparison sites too?


Also, if someone signs a deal now for the price on the website, will they still have to pay the increased amount for the caller display come January? Doesn't seem right that they can hook people into an 18 month deal in December and then increase the monthly payments a month later.


Regards

Comp sites make their money by switching people and receiving commission. You can't 'switch' an existing customer if they sign up to a new deal with the same provider. Same applies to any comp site service.
They can increase prices the day after you sign up or any time they like, because it's not a fixed price contract.