BT landline minimum period

reduceditem

I got a 3 month contract on a new line from BT on the 6th of May. How did I do it? I complained. I got through to 'help desk 2' in North Wales and after 'a bit of a grumble' they agreed to a 3 month deal. I've got the contract in front of me now....it says, very clearly, 'minimum term of 3 months' and shows the date of 06/05/07. So, it can be done....just make sure you've got your best 'arguing hat' on before contacting them.

sparkyrob

What exactly did you say to convince them to give you a 3 month contract? I'm in the same boat and don't want to get tied in!

Thanks

Edit:- Looks like it's changed on the 1st June so that ALL contracts are now 12 months

kai666

isn't it a 12 month contract for the tariffs that you pay extra for i.e the tariffs with inclusive minutes built in

for the basic pay as you talk tariff it is 3 months before you can change

utilitybroker

kai666 wrote: »

isn't it a 12 month contract for the tariffs that you pay extra for i.e the tariffs with inclusive minutes built in

for the basic pay as you talk tariff it is 3 months before you can change

No its definitely one year if you signed up after 1/5/2007 whatever option you are on.

"From 1st May 2007, for customers ending their service early, we will replace the existing charges with a policy that requires customers who have ordered a line on or after 1st May to pay the outstanding line rental for the 12-month minimum term of their contract, up to a maximum of £70 (incl. VAT). Customers moving home and transferring BT service to their new address will be subject to a new minimum term from the date of start of service at the new address."

http://www2.bt.com/static/i/btretail.../informed.html

[EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com?subject=Reporting post http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=5648163"][/EMAIL]

gt94sss2

kai666 wrote: »

isn't it a 12 month contract for the tariffs that you pay extra for i.e the tariffs with inclusive minutes built in

The minimum contract for line rental is 12 months - however, the 'call tariff' (i.e. BT Together 1/2/3 etc) can be changed each month - unless you have entered into a special offer of some type which normally last 12/18 months.

Regards
Sunil

reduceditem

sparkyrob wrote: »

What exactly did you say to convince them to give you a 3 month contract?

I am abroad for 4 months then home for about 2 or 3, then abroad for 4 months etc, etc. It's always suited me to just have my line on for the minimum 3 months. When I discovered that the new minimum was 12 months I asked if I was able to take the 12 month contract but suspend it every few months while I was away (they would still get their 12 months from me). I was told this was impossible. I asked to complain....I wasn't going to be fobbed off. Eventually I was put through to help desk 2 in North Wales...after explaining the whole scenario and how unfair it is to those who are often abroad for long periods they agreed to make an exception.

As I said previously...it can be done. If they did it for me why can't they do it for others?

Just to be clear...I was given my new line and contract on the 6th of May this year, several days AFTER the new 'minimum term' contracts came in. So these contracts are clearly NOT set in stone.

Good luck and remember....always remain polite when dealing with big companies but INSIST on complaining and you may be surprised what doors start to open.

topherxp

Drunkstar wrote: »

12 months on a new line is what she meant to say. Its not suddenly gone up from 3 months to 12 regardless.

She is right, it's 12 months regardless. There is no longer any 3 month minimum term.

Drunkstar

topherxp wrote: »

She is right, it's 12 months regardless. There is no longer any 3 month minimum term.

So if you had a 3 month contract would it suddenly go up to 12 months for an old customer? No, only for a new account. see?

Edit: just in case nobody realises my comments were joke, I thought it was obviously done tounge in cheek. Guess not.

topherxp

Drunkstar wrote: »

So if you had a 3 month contract would it suddenly go up to 12 months for an old customer? No, only for a new account. see?

That bit is right, the 12 month term won't affect current customers on 3 month term, which there arn't many now because the 3 months are almost up. But and change to the service i.e. moving home, xf to other sp and back again, recon after discon etc. will get a 12 month term.

Drunkstar

I know, I work at BT. :P