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Another NTL rip off trap to be aware of

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Here's something every NTL user should be aware of. And it's made me so angry, I think it necessitates shouting:

WHEN YOU MOVE HOME NTL WILL CHARGE YOU ONE MONTHS LINE RENTAL FROM THE DATE YOU TELL THEM YOU ARE MOVING, EVEN IF THEY HAVE DISCONNECTED THE LINE.

What do I mean?

I moved house on 13th May.

I rang NTL on the 9th May to tell them this and to get the phone disconnected from 12 noon on 13th May. This duly happened.

Today I got a bill which includes line rental until 9th June, even though the line was disconnected on 13th May.

The reason for this is b/c they charge for a months line rental from when notice is given irrespective of whether the line is being used or not.

As new tenants have now moved into my previous address, and no doubt have activated the phone line, this means that NTL are get line rental monies twice.

This seems a good deal for them, a poor deal for consumers.

When I complained I was told that it was in my contract and the terms and conditions. Unfortunately, I've never recevied any documentation to this affect as the service was set up via an agent over the telephone. Written attempts to secure a contract were never answered.

Whilst a months line rental may not break the bank, there is a principle here, and the principle seems to be NTL making money at the expense of good customer service.

Comments

  • SuiDreams
    SuiDreams Posts: 2,393 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    Thanks for the warning am getting pretty sick of NTL
  • I am very glad to have left them - even though I am still paying for their "services".
  • Badgergal
    Badgergal Posts: 531 Forumite
    I will bear that in mind, useful to know, thanks.
  • Darren21
    Darren21 Posts: 882 Forumite
    hmm this is pretty standard isn't it? I'm sure BT is just the same!?

    Mobiles are the same - 30 days notice is required
  • MarkyMarkD
    MarkyMarkD Posts: 9,912 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Yes, Darren. I don't see anything wrong or unusual about this. So what if they can charge someone else rental? That's none of the OP's business.

    As for not getting hold of the Ts & Cs, a bit of a search on their website shows:
    Q: How much notice do I need to give to transfer my ntl services?

    A: The more notice you give us, the more chance you’ll have to ensure that all your communication needs are in place on the day you move into your new home. Usually, ntl can get you up and running within 14 days of contact, we aim to beat this where possible. We will do all we can to assure you can transfer services on the day of your move.

    If you are not transferring your services to your new address or if you are moving outside of our networked area, you will have to pay for all services for 30 days from the date you informed us of your move.
    So it's not a secret.
  • barbie_babe
    barbie_babe Posts: 668 Forumite
    i think its a rip off they did same to me last year.i didnt get a months notice to move so how could i give them a month.
    :j
  • MarkyMarkD
    MarkyMarkD Posts: 9,912 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    There's nothing "rip off" IMHO about any sort of contract having a notice period, just because you don't want to pay it! It's there in black and white and it applies to very many types of contract.

    "How could I give them a month" doesn't come into it - you give them a month notice (and pay no penalty) or you pay for the shortfall in days' notice you give.
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