John Lewis (Plusnet) Broadband price hike trap

starkiwi26

Dear fellow members,

I would like to share my experience with John Lewis (Plusnet) broadband.

I signed up John Lewis broadband by May 2021 and go live by 27th May 2021. Few days later, I received an email from John Lewis about price hike, but when I search the current John Lewis broadband deal, John Lewis still gives the same offer to the new customer.

I feel being cheated to have price hike 4 days after service go live, but I am locked in with 1 year contract. Isn't this a trap?

I emailed John Lewis, but I got reply from a Plusnet customer service, quoting their fine print, term and conditions as below. From the term and condition, I should expect another price hike by March 2021. I have been using broadband for years, I never face this problem before, not sure what more I can do... At least I can post here to serve as a warning to fellow members.

thanks.

" The price for broadband, line rental, call plans and call charges will be increased on or after 1st June 2021 and then on or after 1st March every year from March 2022. On or after 1st June 2021, prices will increase by the Consumer Price Index rate of inflation published in April of that year plus 3.9%. On or after 1st March every year from March 2022, prices will increase by the Consumer Price Index rate of inflation published in January of that year plus 3.9%. Other prices, content and terms may also change during your contract. See CPI Plus 3.9% Guide (https://www.johnlewisbroadband.com/support/customer-service/cpi-plus-guide/) for details."

flaneurs_lobster

Too late now but could you have cancelled the deal since you were within the 14 day cooling off period?  Guess that would have meant finding another deal and no service for at least a couple of weeks.

Feel your pain mate, thanks for the warning.

Farway

This auto built in T & Cs increase seems to becoming more prevalent, and by looks of it the JL one is quite naughty, having a 3.9% on top of CPI every year thus compounding it over time, then the last bit about we may change whatever we like during your contract.

However if this is becoming standard terms for many ISPs , not checked, then I guess we are stuck with them

starkiwi26

gavinbaxter said:

Too late now but could you have cancelled the deal since you were within the 14 day cooling off period?  Guess that would have meant finding another deal and no service for at least a couple of weeks.

Feel your pain mate, thanks for the warning.

I thought about that, but working from home means the internet is essential. I thought I could convince them to let me stay on the price since I just joined for a few days and they are still offering the same deal, but the customer service is "non-negotiable" attitude

starkiwi26

Farway said:

This auto built in T & Cs increase seems to becoming more prevalent, and by looks of it the JL one is quite naughty, having a 3.9% on top of CPI every year thus compounding it over time, then the last bit about we may change whatever we like during your contract.

However if this is becoming standard terms for many ISPs , not checked, then I guess we are stuck with them

I have never experience this with my previous broadband providers. In my humble opinion, price increase twice a year written in the terms and conditions fine print with 1 year fixed contract is ugly. Just sharing and hope my experience can serve as a warning to others to stay away from John Lewis and Plusnet.