TalkTalk Offering more for less...

thebritishbloke

Just in case anyone is a current (may also work with new) TalkTalk customer, I'll share my story:

I recently called up to upgrade to Fibre on my Simply Broadband package. I'm currently paying £3.50 a month (value line rental already paid), I was offered fibre for an extra £5 a month for 12 months with no upfront fees, so I agree.

I get an email confirming I ordered TV... Uh, no that isn't quite right. So I phone up the cancellations department, and the chap informs me that he can keep me on the essentials TV package, and it'll end up being cheaper by him applying a multitude of discounts. He extended the £5/month fibre for the whole 18 months, gave me £2 off a month for the first 12 months, half price package for the full 18 months too.

Essentials TV with fibre, with discount:
£7.25 for 12 months = £87
£9.25 for 6 months = £55.50
Total over 18 = £142.50

SimplyBroadband with Fibre:
£8.50pm for 12 months = £102
£13.50pm for 6 months = £81
Total over 18 = £183

Just figured that if anyone is looking to save a bit of money, go through to their retentions team and casually mention you'd be willing to take more services if you can be given a good deal. I didn't even have to try for more than 10 seconds and he knocked the extra £2 a month off for 12 months.

MataNui

Dont count your chickens yet. TalkTalk are notorious for telling lies. They will say ANYTHING to stop you cancelling. But what they say and what you will get are very, very different things.

thebritishbloke

MataNui wrote: »

Dont count your chickens yet. TalkTalk are notorious for telling lies. They will say ANYTHING to stop you cancelling. But what they say and what you will get are very, very different things.

I got an email confirmation of what exactly I was getting, so I'm covered in that department. I understand being weary about it though.

Vasper

Good to hear that talk talk have actually offerred a discount to someone for a change. BUT please note, they are not that bothered about giving you the discount, it is the 18 month contract that they are locking you into that is there pot of gold and that is what they want. How close were you to the end of your current contract with them when you ordered the upgrade?

As trust me if you want out of that contract at any time in the next 18 months they will charge you a breakage fee for the full amount, not the amount with the discounts applied.


I understand this is the same with most companies, but Talk Talk will start a brand new contract with you as soon as you change anything on your current contract, even changing your calling circle/favourite numbers, anything at all, no matter how small a change you think it is.


Also be carefull, as when the operative says "I'll give you a discount for a full 18 months" what he means is i'll start you on a new contract for 18 months. He probably didn't even use the word "contract" in the sentence.


I used to be with talk talk until I realised that in a 12 month period I had managed to expand and re-new my contract 5 times without once being told on the phone that a new contract was required.

macman

And of course, with a discount deal, if the rack rate increases, as they do at least once a a year, then so does the discounted price.

JennRutts

I too recently called up TalkTalk to discuss my package. All I asked was when my renewel date was and what my new bill would be... I didn't even have to threaten to leave and the guy I spoke to offered me a great deal:

Currently
Pay Line Rental Upfront
Have Essentials Broadband and Calls package at £8.50pm
Had a 50% discount on the account
Therefore pay £4.25 per month

New Deal (confirmed via email)
Pay Line Rental Upfront
Will be getting the Essentials TV Package which includes a YouView box with all freeview channels and a 7 day catch up service, unlimited broadband and evening and free weekend and evening calls. Package should cost £8.50pm.
TalkTalk have applied a 50% discount to my account for the full 12 month contract, plus given me a £2 credit each month.
Therefore will be paying £2.25 per month for a better package than I already have!!

This will be the 3rd year that I've been with TalkTalk and I really can't fault them. I've never had any problems - guess I must be one of the lucky ones :j

Neil49

Just be aware that Talktalk "Value" line rental has recently increased from £114 to £172 per annum.

I won't be paying up front this year or committing to any contract renewal in order to make it possible to switch with a good cashback deal.

martin57

Just renewed 18 mth contract, current 18 mth contract wasn't up to January coming.


new contract
youview box free +seems good quality powerline adapters free +new free super router (doesn't need bt modem)
Half price calls and essentials package for 18 mth £4.25
Fibre for 18 mth at £5 a mth
Free international calls for 18 mth costs I believe £3.50 otherwise.
£5 a mth anytime calls
£2 loyalty discount for 12 mths.


Value line rental is up in October but please note this, don't renew as you only will save 11% on yearly cost.
Instead wait for your bill email notification and use the speedy discount link to save 15%.


So my total cost as from November will be £28.20 -15% speedy payment discount if I catch it on time as it only lasts for 24 hours is £24.01 (includes line rental charge)


After a year there will be an increase of £2 as loyalty discount will end, but I will just have an excuse to call them up again to renew contract.


no doubt there will be minor increases in meantime such as line rental etc but I think overall not a bad deal.


hope it helps someone to call loyalty team, and in all fairness if you are polite and reasonable to Indian call centre and take your time they are fine.


Martin57

sg1066

martin57 wrote: »

Value line rental is up in October but please note this, don't renew as you only will save 11% on yearly cost.
Instead wait for your bill email notification and use the speedy discount link to save 15%.

I use the value line rental & use the speedy discount link, best of both discounts.

:j

Spidernick

After my experience with them I wouldn't touch Talk Talk with a barge pole, even if they were giving it away for free. Their 'customer service' was the worst I've ever experienced and that is going some!

Raimonds

Hi. Same boat!

Here is a link to my converse with one TalkTalk's Community Star about VLR and SPD http://community.talktalk.co.uk/t5/My-Account-Billing/Re-Can-I-pay-upfront-my-land-line-and-save-money-and-pay-for-the/m-p/1436999/highlight/false#M197532

He states that the SPD will not be applied to VLR!

Today I phoned TalkTalk and initially the rep said they can not add the VLR to my next bill due to need of authorization code which can be done only by one off card payment of full VLR amount. Then I asked if I can speak to their manager. After my complaint of lack of advance information about the price rise for VLR, did put this one off charge to my next bill. He advised me to keep an eye on my online account or call the 08700878749 the day my bill gets generated (4th October for me) and use the SPD to get 15% off. I do hope the manager was quite knowledgeable. I also got an e-mail confirmation of this being added to my next bill.



If all goes fine as planned, the VLR charge £172.20 will cost me only £146.37 after 15% SPD. £25.83 savings on top of SPD saving on my package cost for the month.

Can anyone confirm if the SPD is also taken of the VLR charge added to bill (not paid by card)?