Broadband Switch - strange charge.

spacebicuit

Hi,

Looking for a bit advice, whilst going through my bank statements for my tax return I found a payment in April 2014 from my ISP with whom I had a contract at the time for £135.20. My agreement with the company was a monthly payment of £22.40.

The company who made the charge was bought out my Sky Broadband and so I automatically became a Sky customer, this happened in the same month that the payment of £135.20 was made - April 2014.

I telephoned Sky today, explained the story. They told me that the company in question "Be Broadband" still has an office, are trading and so I should contact them. The operator also told me that they cannot access any billing details for the previous company. A bit of research told me that Sky purchased the company in 2013 - a calendar year before the switch was made.

So my question is, do I pursue this matter with Sky? There must be an audit trail right? When a company is purchased you presumably purchase their accounting history. I appreciate that a customer services operator might not be able to access this information but an account department would? I feel that I was told to contact the previous company was a ploy to get me off the line as I have done some searching and I can't find any information regarding an office or a telephone number that works.

I'd just like to re-iterate that this was a compulsory switch and therefore it was not something I had requested.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks in advance,

Jerry.

bris

If Be broadband made the charge why are you phoning Sky? Sky may have bought the company but they didn't make this charge so they owe you nothing.
if you want an answer then phone Be broadband.


Could it be for a one off years line rental? in any case you are unlikely to get to the bottom of it now, nearly 2 years ago was the time to investigate it.

naedanger

spacebicuit wrote: »

Hi,

Looking for a bit advice, whilst going through my bank statements for my tax return I found a payment in April 2014 from my ISP with whom I had a contract at the time for £135.20. My agreement with the company was a monthly payment of £22.40.

The company who made the charge was bought out my Sky Broadband and so I automatically became a Sky customer, this happened in the same month that the payment of £135.20 was made - April 2014.

I telephoned Sky today, explained the story. They told me that the company in question "Be Broadband" still has an office, are trading and so I should contact them. The operator also told me that they cannot access any billing details for the previous company. A bit of research told me that Sky purchased the company in 2013 - a calendar year before the switch was made.

So my question is, do I pursue this matter with Sky? There must be an audit trail right? When a company is purchased you presumably purchase their accounting history. I appreciate that a customer services operator might not be able to access this information but an account department would? I feel that I was told to contact the previous company was a ploy to get me off the line as I have done some searching and I can't find any information regarding an office or a telephone number that works.

I'd just like to re-iterate that this was a compulsory switch and therefore it was not something I had requested.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks in advance,

Jerry.

My understanding is the same as yours.

I suggest you send a written (e.g. by email) complaint to Sky saying you require a written response. You may find you get a better reply when it has be to put in writing.

spacebicuit

bris wrote: »

If Be broadband made the charge why are you phoning Sky?
if you want an answer then phone Be broadband..

Because Be Broadband become Sky Broadband

bris wrote: »

if you want an answer then phone Be broadband..

How can I contact a company that no longer exists?

naedanger

spacebicuit wrote: »

How can I contact a company that no longer exists?

Even if it did exist you would, in my view, still be correct going to Sky provided they took over your account i.e. you had no say in the matter. (It is not that unusual for one company to sell a block of business to another company. My understanding is the new company is taking on all rights and obligations of the business it has acquired. It will therefore take over all the account records.)

Also I believe you have up to six years (five in Scotland) to reclaim any money you are due. (The onus will be on you to prove, on the balance of probability, that you are owed the money.)

wealdroam

OP, have you seen this MSE News article from the time?

The associated forum thread - currently at over 1000 posts - may have something useful in it.

Maybe even add your query on that thread.

unholyangel

spacebicuit wrote: »

Because Be Broadband become Sky Broadband



How can I contact a company that no longer exists?

All else fails, perhaps ofcom can help?