MSE News: BT to announce price hikes this weekend

Cardew

minislim wrote: »

i cannot understand why people are still with BT. they are the most expensive of all the internet and phone providers.

In addition to the points made above, many(most?) BT customers have BT email addresses.


The sheer hassle in notifying all contacts that you have a new email address will deter many from changing from BT.

Maz

Cardew wrote: »

In addition to the points made above, many(most?) BT customers have BT email addresses.


The sheer hassle in notifying all contacts that you have a new email address will deter many from changing from BT.

You don't have to lose your email address when moving from BT.

I know a few people who have moved to another provider and they pay BT a couple of quid a month to keep their BT email address.

macman

Thanks for that link. Not so attractive as it first seemed, as you can't take it with Line Rental Saver. So that reduces the saving to about £1.61 a month over the December-onwards Line Rental Saver plus Anytime tariff.
And with a price guarantee until 2017, I rather expect that the minimum term will be 24 months?
However, if BT continues to hike prices by 6% a year or more, then by 2017 it'll look like very good value indeed.
It'll also appease the 'won't use direct debits' lobby.

Stompa

macman wrote: »

Thanks for that link. Not so attractive as it first seemed, as you can't take it with Line Rental Saver. So that reduces the saving to about £1.61 a month over the December-onwards Line Rental Saver plus Anytime tariff.

Indeed. It'll still be more expensive than my existing LRS and 'Special Low Price Anytime Plan' combination, so it's no good for me.

GrungeMeister

If we switch & drop the TV service/BT Sports, we could see our bills fall from £38 pcm with BT to £27-ish pcm with Plusnet.

Is £11-odd worth the hassle & the loss of football ? My gf would say yes, I'm not so convinced.

Decisions, decisions.

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

I am feeling a bit fed up with BT.

I received my bill a few days ago and it felt expensive so I sat down and had a good read through. Seems I am being hit with quarterly stealth charges:

I now pay £5.25 for BT privacy which is caller display. As far as I knew this was a free service. Being a luddite I also am stung £6 for paying by cheque in the bank. How it can possibly cost BT that much I don't know. And before any DD die hards tell me to change method - why should I? Supermarkets don't charge different rated for those who pay by cash or card.

In addition to this BT sting me £19.49 or £58.47 per quarter for line rental which includes evening and weekend calls.

I phoned up to have a bit of a grizzle and was offered a "deal" at £15.99 a month for rental and calls on the same package and they were prepared to give me caller display free but would not stop the non DD charge. To do this they wanted to tie me into an 18 month commitment.

Instead I have gone to Post Office Telephone with no minimum term and £14.25 a month for line rental and calls of the same package. Caller display is free and there is no "tax" for paying by cheque.

thegrail

Have a look at http://bt.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/46728/~/price-changes-from-4-january-2014-including-changes-to-bt-answer-1571-and-bt

On this page it states:

What if I'm unhappy with the price rises?

We're sorry that you're unhappy about how the price rises affect you. We'd rather you stayed with BT as we believe we offer fantastic services and products. However, if you contact us within 30 calendar days of receiving your personal notification you may cancel your services without penalty.

So if you are unhappy with the BT increases you can leave. :j

Uxb

A_Flock_Of_Sheep wrote: »

I now pay £5.25 for BT privacy which is caller display. As far as I knew this was a free service. Being a luddite I also am stung £6 for paying by cheque in the bank. How it can possibly cost BT that much I don't know. And before any DD die hards tell me to change method - why should I? Supermarkets don't charge different rated for those who pay by cash or card.

Why do people like you have to be so awkward?
Why is it that you think the rest of the world has to revolve around what you want - it doesn't.
We want the UK to move forward not be constrained by having to maintain outdated means of payments or other legacy systems for the "awkward squad" who refuse to change.
.....and try paying in most shops with a cheque and you will find they will refuse to accept them.

since we are discussing broadband:
In Jersey the utility company is installing FTTP for all and closing down the Xdsl copper based services. Subscribers are being simply given no option - except a choice of much more expensive FTTP packages - either accept one or be cut off.
Now that is the way to force improvement and to stop having to maintain old systems.
Can you imagine this happening in the UK - there will be the moaners who insist on the "rights" to have their £8/month broadband on copper because they are happy with it and don't want to change.
Sometimes I despair of the UK.................

As regards your question about BT caller display.
Yes, this was free but as of Jan 2014 it became paid for unless you opted into a new BT contract. I received several emails/letters from BT about it and reminding me about the change and how I could avoid the charge.

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

I don't see why people should be bullied into paying by a particular method. Cash is as good as Direct Debit. Anyway on my latest bill which I pay by cash in the bank I have now divided by 20 and have written 20 cheques to the total and sent them in the post. BT can earn their £6 sifting through those and paying the bank charge to pay them in.

I need a new cheque book now though! :rotfl::rotfl:

I for one am getting sick of this constant tail chasing with people like BT (and other utilities) where they change goal posts and add stealth charges to long standing customers who then have to phone up and "recommit" and negotiate a "deal" for the next 12 or 18 months when in effect I have been with BT/British Telecom/GPO since 1950 something! How is that for a contract? Nearly 60 years! I shouldn't have to keep putting a bring up in my diary to remind me to call which ever utility provider to ensure I am getting a good deal every 12, 18 or 24 months. Everyone should just be paying the same. It was like that years ago and to me seemed much better.

VisionMan

The non-DD payment charge has been ceased WEF 30/11/14.