BT negotiations

Bestselling_Author

BT contract comes to an end on 3rd June. We've been paying £15.99 for line rental and £11 for 40Gb download allowance, with eve&weekend calls included.

BT say they've dropped their 40Gb Option 2 (although they said that last year, but allowed us to keep it) and despite several phonecalls they won't let me 'renew' it again this year - they're insisting I pay extra for unlimited.

But, as we've never exceeded our 40Gb download allowance I don't see why I should pay more. They say they're prepared to offer me unlimited BB for £13.65 with free weekend calls (and free caller display), or for £15.65 they'll make it unlimited BB with free evening and weekend calls and free caller display.

When I think that last year, I had line rental, 40Gb option2, free caller display, free 1571 and free evening and weekend calls for £27 per month, what BT are offering now seems very poor.

However, I'm reluctant to switch to other competitors (rural exchange, so only BT Wholesale resellers), because I've never had a problem with BT product (and I'm self-employed, so reliable Internet service vital for me). Many neighbours are with TalkTalk and Plusnet, many of whom have had problems, so they haven't filled me with confidence switching.

So anyone out there been able to negotiate any better deals? (I asked for and got a MAC code on Friday, but that didn't trigger any better deals.)

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Roland_Sausage

Your contract doesn't end on June 3rd. All that happens is you reach the end of your minumum term.

If you are happy with the package you are on, just leave it and it will carry on working as normal. No need to renew anything or sign up for a different deal.

poppasmurf_bewdley

Or do as I did and transfer to TalkTalk.

Unlimited Broadband is £3.50, landline rental £15.95, with no calls included. This includes free caller display, 1571, call barring, etc. Unlimited national calls is £5pm and unlimited UK mobile calls is £5pm (I have neither). 15% discount if you pay your bill within 24 hours of receiving the email.

Bestselling_Author

Hi Roland Sausage - sorry - wrong use of word - no, it's not the contract that ends on 3rd June, but last year's deal. On 3rd June the prices revert to their 'standard' charges for these services which is about double what I'm paying now - so it's the deal I have to 'renew'.

Hi poppasmurf_bewdley - how have you got on with TalkTalk? Three neighbours in my road have had nightmare problems re switching and difficulties in getting through to customer services. That puts me off of switching.

Thanks for your comments.

thehaggler

Bestselling_Author wrote: »

BT contract comes to an end on 3rd June. We've been paying £15.99 for line rental and £11 for 40Gb download allowance, with eve&weekend calls included.

BT say they've dropped their 40Gb Option 2 (although they said that last year, but allowed us to keep it) and despite several phonecalls they won't let me 'renew' it again this year - they're insisting I pay extra for unlimited.

But, as we've never exceeded our 40Gb download allowance I don't see why I should pay more. They say they're prepared to offer me unlimited BB for £13.65 with free weekend calls (and free caller display), or for £15.65 they'll make it unlimited BB with free evening and weekend calls and free caller display.

When I think that last year, I had line rental, 40Gb option2, free caller display, free 1571 and free evening and weekend calls for £27 per month, what BT are offering now seems very poor.

However, I'm reluctant to switch to other competitors (rural exchange, so only BT Wholesale resellers), because I've never had a problem with BT product (and I'm self-employed, so reliable Internet service vital for me). Many neighbours are with TalkTalk and Plusnet, many of whom have had problems, so they haven't filled me with confidence switching.

So anyone out there been able to negotiate any better deals? (I asked for and got a MAC code on Friday, but that didn't trigger any better deals.)

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Now you have a MAC Code try phoning back 2 or 3 times and someone am sure will offer you a better deal. Am sure i read on here someone got £8.65 Unlimited Broadband, £5 Anytime Calls and 12 months line rental for price of 10 with a one off lump sum? give them a try a couple more times

poppasmurf_bewdley

I had no problems in the switchover. Initially, my already slow broadband speed (I live in a very rural area) was slower than with BT but it has gradually built up and is now back to where it was with BT before the switch.

Both companies use Indian call centres, so understanding them is difficult. I find the TT website much more user-friendly than BT's.

Do I regret moving? No.

husk

Bestselling_Author ,

Make sure you request a MAC code and do it by using their online form and give you email address. Then wait for their response. If nothing happens try to prompt them again using the same form. If you do it by phone you are unlikely to get a good offer.

Myself and another MSE forum member were offered £6.65 for unlimited broadband with 12 months free caller display three weeks ago. I'm positive this is a current offer.

[Edit] This advice refers to BT.

seert

husk wrote: »

Make sure you request a MAC code and do it by using their online form and give you email address. Then wait for their response. If nothing happens try to prompt them again using the same form. If you do it by phone you are unlikely to get a good offer.

Myself and another MSE forum member were offered £6.65 for unlimited broadband with 12 months free caller display three weeks ago. I'm positive this is a current offer.

is the above offer with BT, I have been with them about 30 years and I cant get them to drop on price at all and I am seriously thinking of moving to another provider, should I ask for the MAC code

jaybeetoo

Bestselling_Author - if you want to save money on line rental pay for a year in advance.

husk

seert wrote: »

is the above offer with BT, I have been with them about 30 years and I cant get them to drop on price at all and I am seriously thinking of moving to another provider, should I ask for the MAC code

Yes this is with BT, my apologies for not making that clear. You should definitely request a MAC code, you do not have to use it. I too have also been with BT for years, last year I was paying £13.65 which is their current offer if you ring up and request a MAC by phone. It is not their best offer and I have seen offers of £8.65 and £6.65 in recent weeks. I think it depends on who you get a reply from. My advice is to be persistent and do primary negotiations through email via their MAC request form.

seert

I take it I go on to the BT.com site and look for the MAC request form or is there another place to find it