Alternative to BT

thelawnet

BT are a useless company with the worst customer service I've ever experienced.

I tried to get a line from them before, and they cocked up the installation and never connected me but still charged me.

I tried to get the customer support to fix it and they just put me through to wrong departments, refused to pass any messages on, etc., just wasting my time for hours, just utter incompetence.

I sent them an email saying I would sue them if they did not respond within one week. No reply, so I sued.

I eventually got a boilerplate, useless, reply to the email three weeks later .

Anyway, I eventually got my money back, although they did manage to disconnect my Bulldog line.

I am moving house and just called, foolishly, to try and get a line from them. After 10 minutes on hold (and this is how they treat NEW customers), I was greeted with "Hello, BT Broadband".

Er, no, I called for a phone line.

"We will have somebody call you back within five working days."

Five working days?!?!? I'm moving on Saturday, that's pathetic, goodbye.


So suffice to say, I'm not keen on signing up with them.

What alternative companies can provide service on a standard (not cable) phone line?

Heinz

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=5895688&postcount=338

Of course, any of the LLU and WLR re-seller providers now in the market could get a line installed for you - it's just that most won't pay Openreach to do the work (preferring to 'work the system' by insisting on potential subscribers having an operational BT line before they'll take them on).

Stuart_W

This sounds like more of a sanity-saving search rather than necessarity a money-saving search.

As such, you may wish to call the Phone Co-Op with details of your new property asking for a line takeover or restart as appropriate. I've got Phone Co-Op line rental and broadband separately from Namesco.

They might not save you money, but you will actually get to speak to a real person - who can actually help you - when you call. That worked for me! If it is necessary for someone to visit the property, the same BT Openreach engineer will visit the property as would have done if you'd called BT directly.

If you're not a member of the Co-operative Group (the main National Co-Op) then join up on line at www.co-operative.co.uk and make a note of your account number because if you quote this over the phone to the phone co-op you will get an 8% discount on your phone bill - better than nothing.

thelawnet

the new property has an existing BT line, it is just being reconnected.

Does this make things easier?

Stuart_W

It should be a simple restart then - sometimes an engineer does need to visit, but they'll confirm all that over the phone.

thelawnet

does phone co-op support 18185, 18866, etc?

nmm

I got reconnected for free by Madasafish, ordered Tuesday, phone active on Friday.

thelawnet

ok, all I want is

cheap/free reconnection
can use 18866/18185 dialing prefixes
can use any broadband provider

Ideas/List?

simon_owen

Hi!
I was also told by Madasafish that if I sign up online as a new customer, I'll get free line installation - but when I tried, it mentioned a sign-up fee of £115. Is this waived after registration?
Thanks


Simon

nmm

simon_owen wrote: »

Hi!
I was also told by Madasafish that if I sign up online as a new customer, I'll get free line installation - but when I tried, it mentioned a sign-up fee of £115. Is this waived after registration?
Thanks


Simon

I think they check your line to see whats needed, if they are going to charge you £115 then they tell you before proceeding so you can cancel if you want to. If you have a bt box already i think it'll be free. Maybe give them a call and speak to someone i got this free number from saynoto0870 for them 0800 0132302.

simon_owen

Brilliant, thank you!