BT asking £65 as equipment charge on termination of contract - leaving 2 days early

sanu999

I've just had an e-mail saying that I'll be charged "£65.00 for broadband equipment charges" for moving to talk talk on 8th August (my contract finishing with BT on 10th august) and it refers me to this page

I don't really get this as I always thought that ISPs merely loan us the routers and we have to send them back when we leave or else we get charged for them. So how can they then claim they've given it to us for free but are charging us for it as we're leaving a bit early? They're not losing any revenue from me leaving early – its only 2 days to finish my contract and I paid bill one month in advance. NO TV - Broadband and phone line only. They said the router will cost £250. I said to them, i can return the router, but they said no.

Buzby

Delay Talk Talk takeover - it's the only way to avoid the hit. Once the ETC applies it's a valid charge, 48 hours is still pushing it, and the computer will bill for it.

HogMan

I had a similar situation when I left BT a few days before the end of my contracted term. I pointed out to them that although I was physically leaving a few days early I had already paid till the end of the contract. They then retracted the charge.

macman

Only VM lease and maintain the equipment: with all other ISP's it is yours from day one of the contract-with the proviso that you do not leave before the end of the minimum term.
The hubs cost around £60 retail, BT probably buy them wholesale for less than £20. So £250 is blatant profiteering-but unfortunately those are the terms you agreed. So just cancel TT and start again.

HogMan

In my experience when dealing with regulated companies accountable to OFxxx (OFCOM, OFGEM etc) it is often better to go down the Complaints route rather than through Customer Services as the companies are more inclined to resolve a complaint. In my experience BT tend to resolve issues very quickly once they have been escalated.

sanu999

I emailed BT and just received a call and they said, it is an error from their side and there won't be any charges on my final bill. Thanks for your support and replies

phillw

sanu999 wrote: »

I emailed BT and just received a call and they said, it is an error from their side and there won't be any charges on my final bill. Thanks for your support and replies

Make a note of what time, who you spoke to etc & then check the final bill when it comes in.