BT no cancellation fee on final bill

markdarkhorse

Good morning folks,

I cancelled my BT broadband service with over a year to go on the service.  It was just too expensive compared to other providers.  I assumed I would have to be a huge cancellation fee after reading up on it, however they send me a final bill for just partial payment of the last month which I paid and my account is closed now and have returned the kit.

I have a copy of the final bill and wanted to know if they can retroactively add the cancellation fee they seen to have forgotten about? It seems like the final bill is a legal document and I can't be pursed for their mistake?

Kind regards

Steve

pramsay13

If you owe the money then yes they can charge it later; depending on the payment method set up they might just be able to take it or they will have to chase you for it. 

markdarkhorse

pramsay13 said:

If you owe the money then yes they can charge it later; depending on the payment method set up they might just be able to take it or they will have to chase you for it. 

I don't think so, I've had the final bill, they should have included it in the bill, it's a legal document.

400ixl

They have up to 6 years to claim anything else outstanding. The final bill does not mean they cannot claim  / bill for anything else. It is not legal closure of any charges.

GrumpyDil

markdarkhorse said:

pramsay13 said:

If you owe the money then yes they can charge it later; depending on the payment method set up they might just be able to take it or they will have to chase you for it. 

I don't think so, I've had the final bill, they should have included it in the bill, it's a legal document.

If/when they do bill you let us know how you get on with that argument.  Note companies are run by humans who are allowed to make mistakes. 

Penguin_

markdarkhorse said:

pramsay13 said:

If you owe the money then yes they can charge it later; depending on the payment method set up they might just be able to take it or they will have to chase you for it. 

I don't think so, I've had the final bill, they should have included it in the bill, it's a legal document.

Ok with that thought in mind, lets think about this another way. If they sent you a final bill for £250.00 but there should have been a discount of £50 included so the final bill should have been £200.00 - would you allow them to amend the bill or as it's a legal document would you pay the extra £50?

flaneurs_lobster

The term "legal document" means nothing.

What you have is a contract between you and BT which will set out any early termination charges that are due if the contract is terminated before the minimum term ends.

Unless that last bill actually states "full and final settlement" or similar then you can't assume no further charges.

iniltous

The acid test will be if a further invoice is sent for the early termination charges , for all you can argue that they should have included this ‘charge’ on the final bill , it would ultimately come down to BT ask you to pay , you either pay , or you don’t , in which case they take the appropriate debt recovery action, employing a solicitor to argue your case no doubt would cost more than the ETC being asked , obviously you could get ‘lucky’ and no further invoice is sent .

markdarkhorse

flaneurs_lobster said:

The term "legal document" means nothing.

What you have is a contract between you and BT which will set out any early termination charges that are due if the contract is terminated before the minimum term ends.

Unless that last bill actually states "full and final settlement" or similar then you can't assume no further charges.

It does say Final Bill, so to me that means it's final and no other amount is outstanding.  If I get another one I'll argue the case and then if they keep annoying me I can report to Information Commissioner's Office for harrassment.

markdarkhorse

400ixl said:

They have up to 6 years to claim anything else outstanding. The final bill does not mean they cannot claim  / bill for anything else. It is not legal closure of any charges.

lol so any company can just keep sending you bills 6 years after you close your account, don't think so. Final means Final and I'm sure a court would agree with me.  The ETC is bordering on extortion anyway as it costs them nothing to disconnect and they are no longer providing you with the service.  Should be made illegal, you should only pay for what you use, maybe a token £10 charge for leaving early. 

littleboo

markdarkhorse: "...can they retroactively add the cancellation fee they seem to have forgotten about?"
various forum members: yes they can, for up to 6 years
markdarkhorse: "lol so any company can just keep sending you bills 6 years after you close your account, don't think so"

Why bother asking the question if you are so sure of the answer?