TalkTalk to BT - mind the gap?

SallyG

Got the TalkTalk increased line rental email today 22nd and will at last leave TT asap without penalty but obviously want to avoid any gap in service or overlap/paying twice.
Will these steps produce a smooth no penalty transition:
1] Tell TT now that I'm cancelling my contract because of price increase.
?Will my TT contract end immediately or only after thirty days?

2] As soon as I've told TT I'm cancelling because of price increase, sign up quick for BT deal and BT will organise switch
? Will the new BT contract begin immediately or only when TT contract ends or at some random point - possibly leaving us without broadband or with BT needing paying before TT payments end?

i.e.
How to switch broadband providers without temporarily losing service or paying twice during switchover?

teddysmum

The BT contract will start on the day they take over. PlusNet quoted me 'within 10 working days' from order and phone came on the 9th working day, with broadband next morning.

hxm

I recently moved from TalkTalk to BT. I had to give the 30 days notice, and when I signed up with BT, I gave the date I wanted my contract with them to start as the day after my last day with TalkTalk. (You can give any date) They won't actually deliver your router until the day before your contract starts. I used TalkTalk right up to midnight on the last day, and installed the BT broadband the next day, with no problems whatsoever.

I was amazed, because I don't know anybody who has switched broadband without running into problems! I was very pleased to be able to get such a good deal from BT for the first 12 months. I got about £90 cashback from TopCasback AND a pre-paid Mastercard with £75 on it. (Obviously I'll have to remember what a good deal I got when they penalise me for leaving them in the future!)

Fortyfoot

I was advised not to talk to TalkTalk but within two weeks or ten working days before the end of my contract to sign up with the new provider, EE.

Evidently you should not terminate but instead migrate to the new provider who will advise TalkTalk. Terminating may incur extra charges compared to migrating.

EE have obviously contacted TalkTalk as we are getting letters, texts and emails from TalkTalk.

Fortyfoot

jbuchanangb

As the OP is using the get-out clause, Fortyfoot's approach won't quite work. Option (2) of the original question does apply. Tell TT that you are intending to leave and claim the exemption from early termination charges, and thin sign up with BT.
TT will probably send you their standard letters about ETCs so you might have to call them again to re-confirm. Do NOT cancel your payment method with TT until you have received a final bill with a zero balance. If you do that you will get hit with late/non-payment charges. Depending on the exact timing you could even pay a whole month's rental in advance, which will have to be credited back and refunded, and they can't process refund if the DD has been cancelled.

SallyG

Used TT Community Forum for cancelling by reason of price change - they've emailed a transcript agreeing to no penalty when I quit.
I've sealed the deal online with BT. Given a Start Date of Nov 11.- i.e. not asked to choose a start date.........
New BT fibre deal is fixed term but not fixed price - T&Cs say they can change the price but if so I can leave with no penalty - looks like swapping providers for everything will be my new hobby.The uncertainty about continuity of service/paying twice is serious disincentive to my swapping also fear of online forms - BTs asked if I minded them doing a credit check - what happens if you say you do mind?
Thanks for good advice .

SallyG

Got TT email acknowledging we're leaving for BT:

"If you believe you can cancel without penalty, please make sure to call us on 0345 172 0121* within 14 days of receiving this email.

To avoid late payment fees, please make sure you keep your Direct Debit active, until your final bill has been paid. If you pay by another way, please make sure your payment reaches us by the date specified on your final bill.

If you’re a broadband customer with a discount on our mobile service or have taken our free SIM offer, you may lose a discount you have for your mobile service. If you’d like to cancel your TalkTalk Mobile service, you’ll need to do this separately by calling 0345 172 0121*."

Will probably ring just in case - despite getting transcript/"get out of jail free" card = measure of no trust in TT/belt and braces reqd.