TalkTalk

judy2357

We have our phones and broadband with Talktalk and am reasonably satisfied with service. However in Feb 2013 they contacted us about having a YouView Box which we agreed to as it would be installed for free and we could use it for Catchup tv, didnt intend paying for anything extra. Unfortunately they arranged an engineer to call to install it, the night before the engineer rang and said it would cost us £70 so I told him not to come. After numerous stressful calls speaking to several operators who I didnt understand and they didnt understand me, it was arranged for yet another engineer to call and install for free. However yes you've guessed it, the night before we were called again by the engineer who said we would be charged so I cancelled.

To cut a long story short eventually I asked them to send me a return bag and I sent the youview box back.

This week I have received a letter saying I can have the Youview tv for free and I have had another stressful call to them but the problem is I pay £26.65 per month but if what I have been told is correct I have the tv included in our package on a new contact we will only have to pay £18.66 pm with a new 18 month contact. I am assured again the installation is free I just dont know what to do, am thinking whether to accept new contract but tell them not to bother with the box, just cant take the stress if it goes pair shaped the same as last year. I cant seem to see anywhere is actually says installation is free. Any thoughts please, many thanks

MataNui

They want you to have the youview box because it will tie you into another 18 month contract. You dont need an engineer to install it. It comes with very good setup instructions. If you are not in the slightest bit tech savvy then i am sure you know someone who can to the install for you. Its a simple matter of plugging it into the router and the tv.

My mum has the youview box. Its a total scam to be honest. There is nothing extra besides the catchup tv. And thats not what is advertised either. The guide doesnt work as it shows on the tv adverts and as with getting catchup from any other source not all programs are available and they are generally only available for a week or two.

judy2357

MataNui wrote: »

They want you to have the youview box because it will tie you into another 18 month contract. You dont need an engineer to install it. It comes with very good setup instructions. If you are not in the slightest bit tech savvy then i am sure you know someone who can to the install for you. Its a simple matter of plugging it into the router and the tv.

My mum has the youview box. Its a total scam to be honest. There is nothing extra besides the catchup tv. And thats not what is advertised either. The guide doesnt work as it shows on the tv adverts and as with getting catchup from any other source not all programs are available and they are generally only available for a week or two.

So annoying, I guess I want my cake and eat it, but would have liked a reduction without a new contract as my partner has been made redundant and every penny counts but the internet is vital in job searching. I dont watch films or sport so would only use the catchup. Thank you for your reply.

macman

You can buy the box from Humax Direct without any contract whatsoever, no need to pay a sub to TT, just the upfront cost.
As mentioned above, it simply plugs in between aerial and TV, and an ethernet cable to your router. Then power lead to socket and job done.

judy2357

The main problem is the difference between the amount we are paying now £26.65 and the offer of paying £18.66 if we accept the new contract, my partner is dubious whether there is another catch other than the new 18 month contract.

elliotj

What does the £26.85 get you? I renew my contract with them and haggle them every year to 12mths with half price essentials plus the free international boost. So broadband, phone & international calls for £3.75p/m. Then once I have haggled this I then go online and pay my line rental in advance = +£10.50p/m, so a total of £14.25p/m all in.

As stated above, best to get a Freeview or Freesat PVR box from Amazon, plug it in and you have all the TV you could want, with no extra 18mth contract

macman

judy2357 wrote: »

The main problem is the difference between the amount we are paying now £26.65 and the offer of paying £18.66 if we accept the new contract, my partner is dubious whether there is another catch other than the new 18 month contract.

There is no catch other than the additional revenue generated from the increased minimum term. |f you can afford to buy direct, that is much the cheaper option over 18m.

VisionMan

macman wrote: »

There is no catch other than the additional revenue generated from the increased minimum term. |f you can afford to buy direct, that is much the cheaper option over 18m.

So £26.85 or even £18.66 pm plus £220 for a new retail box? Are you sure about that?

Edit - Plus TT do offer free installation.

eddddy

judy2357 wrote: »

The main problem is the difference between the amount we are paying now £26.65 and the offer of paying £18.66 if we accept the new contract, my partner is dubious whether there is another catch other than the new 18 month contract.

As macman says, I don't think there is any catch - apart from resisting the temptation to subscribe to additional channels.

Take a look at the setup guide that came with the YouView box to see if you are comfortable about installing it without an engineer.

It's slightly more difficult if your phone line and tv are in different rooms - you would need to use a pair of 'powerline adaptors'.

('Powerline Adaptors' from TT cost £35 - but I argued with the TT Sales Compliance Team that the Salesman mislead me because he never mentioned an additional £35 charge when I signed up over the phone, so they eventually gave them to me for nothing.)

macman

VisionMan wrote: »

So £26.85 or even £18.66 pm plus £220 for a new retail box? Are you sure about that?

Edit - Plus TT do offer free installation.

Point taken, but the OP can buy a YouView box (graded) from Humax Direct for as little as £129 at present.
Since the 'installation' involves little more than plugging it in and entering the postcode, I can't see any great attraction of having that for 'free'.