Talktalk - £10 increase or renew contract for another 18 months

willbmd

Hey all,

I've recently received an email from talktalk as my current 18 month contract is coming to an end. See below:

Over the last couple of years, our daily lives have changed and we’re all realising how important it is to stay connected. We’ve seen many of our customers increase their broadband usage, using their internet to work from home, stream their favourite Netflix shows, catch up with friends and family on video calls, and much more.

Now that you’re coming towards the end of your Faster Fibre contract on 29 April 2022, which costs you £23.95 per month, we want to highlight some of the options available to you going forward. As part of our commitment to Fairer Broadband for all of our customers, we’ve highlighted these potential next steps for you below, along with instructions on how you can take out these offers should you wish.

The first option available for you is that you can stay on your existing service and automatically move to a new price of £34.13 per month*. You don’t have to do anything at all, just sit back and enjoy your great value connection whilst we handle everything else. You’ll be then out of contract with maximum flexibility to upgrade with us any time you like.

The second option available for you is to move onto a new, matching Faster Fibre contract for £23.50 per month** for another 18 months.

How common of a practice is this? I think it's absolutely ridiculous. 

Just on principle I'll be cancelling and going to someone else but I hate that I now have to sign up with another 12 or 18 month contract with someone else.

Rant over.

Neil_Jones

Sorry perhaps I'm being blind but what exactly is "ridiculous" in the email from TalkTalk?

willbmd

Neil_Jones said:

Sorry perhaps I'm being blind but what exactly is "ridiculous" in the email from TalkTalk?

Shaking you down for another 18 month contract or pay £10 a month more. In the past once your contract was up, it was just a monthly thing. 

flaneurs_lobster

They are offering to renew your contract, same service but 45p/mth cheaper? Outrageous. 

Seriously, on what principle are you cancelling?

Neil_Jones

willbmd said:

Neil_Jones said:

Sorry perhaps I'm being blind but what exactly is "ridiculous" in the email from TalkTalk?

Shaking you down for another 18 month contract or pay £10 a month more. In the past once your contract was up, it was just a monthly thing. 

And that's what the £34.13 figure is.  All your "contract" is basically a discount and when it runs out you pay full price.

But you must remember these days thanks to the new CPI+3.9% thing that's only what you'll be paying until next April on an 18 month contract.

Brie

My provider (ee) wanted to do similar and hike the price by about 80%.  Or reduce it slightly.  I rang them up and asked why would I want to pay more for what would be the same service.  The lovely chap on the phone agreed that it was ridiculous but that as many people didn't bother to read the emails sent to them it was an easy way for the company to get more money for the same service.  So the slight reduction was put in place.  10 minutes of my time (mostly just down to us chatting) and I save a £100 a year for the foreseeable future.

willbmd

flaneurs_lobster said:

They are offering to renew your contract, same service but 45p/mth cheaper? Outrageous. 

Seriously, on what principle are you cancelling?

I've just logged in and the re-contract option is now £25 a month, not what they've sent via email. My issue tying me into another 18 month contract, it's likely I won't be in the same place this time next year.

flaneurs_lobster

Brie said:

My provider (ee) wanted to do similar and hike the price by about 80%.  Or reduce it slightly.  I rang them up and asked why would I want to pay more for what would be the same service.  The lovely chap on the phone agreed that it was ridiculous but that as many people didn't bother to read the emails sent to them it was an easy way for the company to get more money for the same service.  So the slight reduction was put in place.  10 minutes of my time (mostly just down to us chatting) and I save a £100 a year for the foreseeable future.

Did you have to take out a new term contract or did they agree to monthly rolling at the existing rate?

willbmd

Brie said:

My provider (ee) wanted to do similar and hike the price by about 80%.  Or reduce it slightly.  I rang them up and asked why would I want to pay more for what would be the same service.  The lovely chap on the phone agreed that it was ridiculous but that as many people didn't bother to read the emails sent to them it was an easy way for the company to get more money for the same service.  So the slight reduction was put in place.  10 minutes of my time (mostly just down to us chatting) and I save a £100 a year for the foreseeable future.

Thanks for the info Brie.

bargainbetty

It is entirely normal practice for a majority of suppliers - you get a better deal by signing to a fixed term. You get security of supply, they get security of customer numbers. 

pallyman

Or sign up to shell who use TT & it should be a easy transfer & cheaper.