Advice re TalkTalk's new charges

sevenonine

I have TT's Essentials package of b/b, line rental and TV (don't use the latter as I already have Freeview on my TV and don't watch much TV). I've been with TT for the last 12 years and prior to that Onetel. I wanted a 12 months' contract but this was not available. My usage of the internet is low so 17MB speed is OK as I don't do any gaming, downloading films and occasionally catchup on music from BBC3. I only have a desktop so no other devices.

After several chats, over 2 days of mind-boggling hours spent typing questions and getting typed answers, yesterday I was transferred to the reward/retention dept. The offer was £32.95 including £5 for UK calls and £5 for international calls – I already get the last 2 free and I've had international calls free ever since they first became available 5 years ago.

Besides this offer was already an option on the website so no special reward. I would like to limit the total to £27-28 but there was no budging. I don't really want to move ISP as it would entail too much hassle and I may be selling my house next year. Would appreciate advice.

Fortyfoot

MOVE!

You should get what you want for about £26, try Plusnet, I am in the rocess of moving to EE from TalkTalk.

Fortyfoot

Smodlet

Crikey, I got them down to £32.00 for the plus package, free anytime calls, all that. If they can't or won't do better, leave them before your 30 days is up. If you want to check who else is available in your area, you can check here.

HTH.

[Deleted User]

I would look at the Plusnet and Sky offers listed on MSE. I know you said you don't want to switch, but do weigh up the saving and decide whether it's worth it for you (Plusnet works out at £8.82 per month if you pay line rental up front, so saving you £24 per month - this should more than cover any costs if you end up moving house whilst in contract).
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/cheap-broadband#standard

teddysmum

anactuary wrote: »

I would look at the Plusnet and Sky offers listed on MSE. I know you said you don't want to switch, but do weigh up the saving and decide whether it's worth it for you (Plusnet works out at £8.82 per month if you pay line rental up front, so saving you £24 per month - this should more than cover any costs if you end up moving house whilst in contract).
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/cheap-broadband#standard

£8.82 for PlusNet is rather misleading for comparison purposes, as though you pay line rental up front you still pay £15.49 per week for the line.


Also, the £8 call package does not include international calls, whose package is an add on.

joe134

sevenonine wrote: »

I have TT's Essentials package of b/b, line rental and TV (don't use the latter as I already have Freeview on my TV and don't watch much TV). I've been with TT for the last 12 years and prior to that Onetel. I wanted a 12 months' contract but this was not available. My usage of the internet is low so 17MB speed is OK as I don't do any gaming, downloading films and occasionally catchup on music from BBC3. I only have a desktop so no other devices.

After several chats, over 2 days of mind-boggling hours spent typing questions and getting typed answers, yesterday I was transferred to the reward/retention dept. The offer was £32.95 including £5 for UK calls and £5 for international calls – I already get the last 2 free and I've had international calls free ever since they first became available 5 years ago.

Besides this offer was already an option on the website so no special reward. I would like to limit the total to £27-28 but there was no budging. I don't really want to move ISP as it would entail too much hassle and I may be selling my house next year. Would appreciate advice.

I just haggled and got the same package you want, minus international, for £23.75.
If you add international boost, you should get it for £28.75, so, try again, and give them ultimatum of leaving to go to another company,quote plusnet's price,and I'm sure they will relent.They like playing the long game of haggling.
stick to retention team only.
It took me several tries.
been with them longer than you, play on that.

MurkySurfy

If you still want the 17mb broadband, aim for £24.70 with the anytime UK calls and international boost.
I haggled them til they came back with 38mb + anytime calls for £23.75, so that's is half price anytime uk call boost and £7 discount on the broadband. I only been with talktalk for around 8 years.

sevenonine

joe134 wrote: »

I just haggled and got the same package you want, minus international, for £23.75.
If you add international boost, you should get it for £28.75, so, try again, and give them ultimatum of leaving to go to another company,quote plusnet's price,and I'm sure they will relent.They like playing the long game of haggling.
stick to retention team only.
It took me several tries.
been with them longer than you, play on that.

Thanks for your advice. How did you get £23.75 when the total is £30.45 and what they offered me was £27.95 including £5 for IntBoost. For UK calls £5 would bring my total to £32.95. And all this for a mere 17mb. They said I couldn't get fibre (which I hadn't asked for as I don't download films,etc or need speed) and which I could probably get as I think it depends on how far one is from a source (?). Is there any point in getting higher speed? Would apprec your views.

I'm going to try again and maybe quote others' offers here for higher MB, etc

Smodlet

MurkySurfy wrote: »

If you still want the 17mb broadband, aim for £24.70 with the anytime UK calls and international boost.
I haggled them til they came back with 38mb + anytime calls for £23.75, so that's is half price anytime uk call boost and £7 discount on the broadband. I only been with talktalk for around 8 years.

If you have the whole package for that, MurkySurfy, I am jealous. I have 38Mb, Plus TV, line rental and any time calls for £32.00; it was £37.70 before the price increases. I have been with them for four years, almost to the day.

OP, you need to charm them. I am not saying you did not, but just try harder... be nice, don't come across as if you are entitled, you are asking them for a favour and are ever so appreciative of everything they do for you, aren't you? Geddit?

If there is no fibre available at your address (check here: https://www.samknows.com/broadband/broadband_checker) then maybe you are paying too much for the service you can receive. The checker will tell you which providers can offer which services to your street. HTH.

MurkySurfy

Smodlet wrote: »

If you have the whole package for that, MurkySurfy, I am jealous. I have 38Mb, Plus TV, line rental and any time calls for £32.00; it was £37.70 before the price increases. I have been with them for four years, almost to the day.
....
paying too much for the service you can receive. The checker will tell you which providers can offer which services to your street. HTH.

I'm only paying for 76mbps +anytime calls (£28.75). No extra tv boosts. The old Plus TV had some extra channels that are now part of the entertainment boost. Since freeview channels are fine, don't see a reason to pay for this.
They initially offered standard pricing, I said I can find cheaper deal than this and quoted SSE's pricing. Expected them to not price match exactly but it's not too bad for this price. I would have stayed on 38mb if the upload speed was up to 10mb instead of 2.

joe134

MurkySurfy wrote: »

I'm only paying for 76mbps +anytime calls (£28.75). No extra tv boosts. The old Plus TV had some extra channels that are now part of the entertainment boost. Since freeview channels are fine, don't see a reason to pay for this.
They initially offered standard pricing, I said I can find cheaper deal than this and quoted SSE's pricing. Expected them to not price match exactly but it's not too bad for this price. I would have stayed on 38mb if the upload speed was up to 10mb instead of 2.

You did better than me, only in having Fibre speeds, good onya.
I only have 17 mbs, that's all I require I,should have asked for fibre:( thought about it.
I'm pleased with my package though.
OP;;Keep persisting in a polite way as other poster said.
They will relent.
I said, compromise, they did, they gave me what I was already paying, as I was in mid contract, I had the upper hand, could have just renewed LR and carried on for another 6 months, BUT, I wanted a new 18 month deal.
Stick to you guns, meet them half way.:beer: