Plusnet Contract - Cancellation Charges and Haggling 22 August 2017 at 12:59PM edited 30 November -1 at 1:00AM in Broadband & Internet Access 2 replies 1.4K views

MutleyB

[FONT=&quot]We bought a new house in August 2016 and immediately signed up to Plusnet's broadband and phone service, having previously had an account with them for many years. Unfortunately, the phone line turned out to be missing and had to be installed, which meant that at initially only a standard broadband package could be provided afterwards. However, it was then subsequently possible to upgrade to fibre broadband at the beginning of September 2016. There were many emails and phone calls involved in this rather torturous process, but at no stage did I ever receive formal confirmation of our contract length and the associated costs.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]This month, when I thought that our fixed term was nearly at an end, I started to compare prices for renewing our broadband package using MSE's new comparison tool. I was shocked to find that we could save as much as £300.00 (including cashbacks) by transferring to BT, the parent company of Plusnet. My online account summary shows that the early cancellation charge is currently £25.34, which I had assumed would decrease to £0 on 2nd September 2017 after the expiry of the 12 month period. However, when I contacted Plusnet about the substantial price differential, I was told that we were actually on an 18 month contract and early cancellation charges would instead amount to £85.12.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]They refused to reduce the monthly cost if we stayed with them and no explanation or apology or was offered regarding the error in the account summary, other than referring me to the small print in the terms and condition on the Plusnet website. I felt that the matter was dealt with poorly and decided to move to BT as it would still reduce our payments by more than £216 over the course of the year. This was despite my calculating that the early cancellation charges should in fact be no more than £72.96 (6 x £12.16), if indeed we are on an 18 month contract with Plusnet.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]An email and letter now received from Plusnet states that the cancellation charge will be £21.72 based on just our phone being transferred to BT on 4th September 2017. Clearly this is not what I want to happen, when according to BT, they have already requested the transfer of both services on the same date. Hopefully, this will be sorted out beween them in time to prevent further problems.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]I am unhappy that the account summary screen does not display the end date of any fixed term contract and gives the wrong figure for the cancellation charges. This is very misleading and feel that Plusnet ought to compensate customers for any mistakes made on their part.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Any comments would be appreciated.[/FONT]

MutleyB

I have just had a call from Plusnet to say that the £25.34 cancellation charge shown on my account summary screen really is the correct figure and that my broadband + phone service would both transfer to BT on the same date. Glad that he could finally explain why I had previously been given the wrong information and clear up the confusion. Just a pity that the two other advisors I contacted regarding this matter were particularly unhelpful.

It now means that the annual savings by switching from Plusnet Unlimited Fibre package to BT's Unlimited Infinity services amount to £276.55, including cashbacks, which seems ridiculously good. The only downside is that I shall have to make a diary note to move again in 12 months time in order to avoid the cost going up by an additional £264.00 per year. Anyway, thanks MSE.

JJ_Egan

<<The only downside is that I shall have to make a diary note to move again in 12 months time in order to avoid the cost going up by an additional £264.00 >

No you negotiate a new contract as per multiple posts on the forum .