Talktalk value line rental - early cancellation success

debbie97531

I have an 18 month contract which started 7th May 2014. Paid the value line rental £126 last year and was horrified to see the price increase to over £180 this year. Most other providers are £140-£150.

Spoke to a talktalk agent two weeks ago, I asked to speak to the CEO complaints team (the only people that can do anything). They don't take direct calls but (if they actually receive the complaint) they will call you back.

Explained that I am trapped in an 18 month contract which has had a significant price increase in the line rental.
I don't agree that they should be able to do this.
They should have informed me of a price increase - they didn't
I should have the option to decline the increase and end the contract immediately due to the change
I'm pretty sure trapping people into contracts and then significantly increasing the price is against the law
The increase is disproportionate to normal inflation and higher than all other service providers

Success, they have rolled back the end date of my contract so I am free to upgrade (no way) or leave.

macman

VLR isn't a separate contract, it's an optional discount available on your line rental and calls contract. You are not obliged to renew it at expiration, even if you are still in minimum term. You would just pay line rental monthly for the remaining 6 months of your minimum term.
How can 'significant price increases' be against the law when it's not a fixed price contract? If the increase is detrimental (as a percentage of the overall contract price) then you can leave without penalty.
Presumably TT's cashflow is such that they no longer feel the need to discount VLR so heavily: Sky abolished it alltogether in the same situation.

debbie97531

Hi Macman,

Maybe I didn't explain fully, I have an 18 month package where I am obliged to pay the line rental at whatever price they say after 12 months. There is no way to object or cancel without charges.

They could ask for £1million for line rental and I would still be trapped in the 18 month contract.

I hope that makes more sense.