Existing customer v new customer deals

Jas_75

Hi,

I recall some discussion a while back regarding a "law" for service providers to have to provide the same deals for existing customers as they do for new customers. Did this ever get passed through, I cant find any reference to it on the web.

thanks
Jas 

MattMattMattUK

Jas_75 said:

Hi,

I recall some discussion a while back regarding a "law" for service providers to have to provide the same deals for existing customers as they do for new customers. Did this ever get passed through, I cant find any reference to it on the web.

thanks
Jas 

It was a suggestion by someone in the 2015 election if my memory serves me correctly, it never happened and I do not think it was anything more than a throwaway comment. 

Aylesbury_Duck

There's been a change in motor insurance, I think?  There are no longer the automatic arbitrary increases applied to premiums at annual renewal.  It certainly seems to have worked in practice for me - my renewal prices were the same as I could obtain from the same insurer when posing as a new customer, and similar to prices on comparison sites.

DullGreyGuy

Home and Motor insurance have had regulations (not laws) changed to say renewal quotes can be no more than a new business customer via the same channel and product. That has to consider any cash-like incentives (eg £100 Amazon voucher) but not any non-cash-like incentives (eg free cuddly toy). 

It doesnt apply to other classes of insurance such as Home Emergency, Pet or Breakdown, some of which people may thing come under the banner of Motor or Home. 

For those that shop around, many have seen premiums increase. For those that dont shop around many have seen premiums decrease a bit, depending on how long ago they last shopped around. 


Havent heard of similar changes for other non-insurance products/services

Jas_75

Thanks, I'm trying to get a new TV, Broadband etc. My current provider has a good deal on their website but wont offer it to me (I was thinking they had to). I didn't really want the hassle of getting a new router etc and having to setup all the usual devices. Look like I'll either have to put up with the price hike (most unlikely) or switch providers (most likely). Thanks for your help  

Aylesbury_Duck

Jas_75 said:

Thanks, I'm trying to get a new TV, Broadband etc. My current provider has a good deal on their website but wont offer it to me (I was thinking they had to). I didn't really want the hassle of getting a new router etc and having to setup all the usual devices. Look like I'll either have to put up with the price hike (most unlikely) or switch providers (most likely). Thanks for your help  

They don't have to offer you the same deal.  Best bet is to initiate cancellation and wait for the inevitable offers to arrive.  You'll need an alternative you're happy to move to if the current supplier calls your bluff and allows you to cancel, but in 20-odd years of broadband I've never experienced that.  They've always come back with a price that is as good as, and sometimes better than, the price offered to new customers.

DullGreyGuy

Jas_75 said:

Thanks, I'm trying to get a new TV, Broadband etc. My current provider has a good deal on their website but wont offer it to me (I was thinking they had to). I didn't really want the hassle of getting a new router etc and having to setup all the usual devices. Look like I'll either have to put up with the price hike (most unlikely) or switch providers (most likely). Thanks for your help  

If its any consolation if the rules had been implemented then its fairly likely that the "good deal" you are seeing either 1) wouldnt be on their website or 2) Would be for the new FTTP+ v2 product or such rather than whatever product you are on and therefore could be cheaper than what they offer you. 

user1977

Best to look at the relevant forum here for other people’s experiences with haggling.