Please, help!

andrewlya

Hi, I have been with Pop Telecome for internet service for one year. My special offers expires on the 12th of May with them.When I told them Im moving my broadband service elsewhere as they had increased my broadband bill due the special offer expiring. When I informed them that Ill be moving elsewhere they said to me that Ill be charged £50 leaving fee. I am not happy about the fee. I could udnerstand that I would be obliged to pay the early contract termination fee if I was to leave them before the contractual 12 months offer expiy date but Ill be elaving after the offer atually expires,but Ill still be charged the £50 fee. The fee is stated in their general terms and conditions on their Website,however I still find it unfair and disproportionate. Anyone should be allowed to change providers, after the contract expires, without being charged an hefty fee like this.
Is £50 leaving charge a fair term under The Unfair Contract Terms Act?

Kind Regards

Andrey

lee111s

Is it in the terms and conditions?

Are you sure they weren't quoting the early termination fee if you were to leave now?

Browntoa

yes , if you don't migrate to another company , if you just "cease" their product theres a charge from BT Openreach who do the work


your new broadband supplier manages the move from POP and you don't get charged, its free to migrate

Browntoa

and their terms and conditions are so out of date that they still mention "MAC" codes to migrate which are no longer required


it does sort of say they charge you an "Admin" fee but I would point out that the migration is now free and that their terms of conditions are out of date


Under rules introduced in June 2015 consumers who switch broadband provider no longer require a MAC code. Instead, Ofcom's revamped code of practice transfers responsibility for managing a switch to the provider to whom the customer is switching.

andrewlya

On their website this is one of their terms:

"32. If you wish to end your Contract
If you wish to cancel a Service, the following will apply:
to disconnect the Broadband Service you must tell us in writing 30 days in advance of leaving us;
to disconnect the UK Calls Service, you must tell us in writing 30 days in advance of leaving us.
When any services leaves Pop Telecom for any reason an admin fee is charged and this fee is payable within 7 days.
The fees are £25 per line connection and £25 per broadband connection.
If you wish to end this Contract, you must either call Customer Services or write to us at POP Telecom 9 Ashton Gate, Ashton Road, Romford, Essex RM3 8UF. Any legal proceedings that may be issued by you can only be served by sending them to us at the same address.
If you are ending your contract or any service before the end of your initial term then you will be provided with an early termination fee for the remainder of the contract. This is detailed on our website or you can contact the Customer Service Department, the number can be found on any of your telephone bills from us."


I have never been charged a fee for leaving the provider. I mean I could understand an early termination fee but to be charged forleaving after the contract expires is outrageous.



Is £50 leaving charge a fair term under The Unfair Contract Terms Act? It does seem unfair, it is like a ransom payment untill it is paid they can't release customers to go esle where.

Browntoa

i'd go down the route of "your terms are invalid" as they are obviously out of date

andrewlya

Who would I complaint to about this?
Everyone should be allowed to leave to another company free of charge providing you are out of contractual offer time period which Ill be after the 12th of May..

andrewlya

The won't an early termination fee after the 12th of May when my contract with them expires.

andrewlya

So is internet company allowed to charge a leaving fee then after the expiry of the special offer? Technically I am out of the contractual obligation after the contract expires..

lee111s

Speak to them and explain that there are no charges levied for switching supplier any longer so their terms are invalid.

andrewlya

Thank you, I spoke to them they said that the £50 leaving charge is a new charge and applies at any time their cusomers leave them even after the contract with them has finished on the special deal.
Surely, they can't charge people for leavin them...so unfair.