Broadband provider reneging on 50% off forever

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

powerful_Rogue said:

Dalaibuy said:

powerful_Rogue said:

Would you have signed up still if they had offered you 50% off for three years?

Certainly, as I mentioned in my 1st post. It's a great deal and worse case in this situation is that I just got cheap fibre for 3 years. 

The point of this post is to discuss the legality of rug-pull discounting.

Don't think you could use the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations then as it didn't alter your decision to sign up.

CPRs relate to the transaction decision of the average consumer, rather than a specific one

Otherwise anyone could claim something affected their decision, which wouldn’t really be well balanced. 

powerful_Rogue

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

powerful_Rogue said:

Dalaibuy said:

powerful_Rogue said:

Would you have signed up still if they had offered you 50% off for three years?

Certainly, as I mentioned in my 1st post. It's a great deal and worse case in this situation is that I just got cheap fibre for 3 years. 

The point of this post is to discuss the legality of rug-pull discounting.

Don't think you could use the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations then as it didn't alter your decision to sign up.

CPRs relate to the transaction decision of the average consumer, rather than a specific one

Otherwise anyone could claim something affected their decision, which wouldn’t really be well balanced. 

I can't see many people turning down an offer of 50% off for three years. As the OP said themselves

It's a great deal and worse case in this situation is that I just got cheap fibre for 3 years.

But then neither of us work in the SCC making decisions, so this just shows two different opinions on ways it could go.

GDB2222

https://www.commsombudsman.org/

I’d argue that out with customer service for a while, then take the evidence you have to the ombudsman. That evidence would include the email you mentioned. The company can provide the terms and conditions that they say applies. 

Grumpy_chap

Just a thought.
Did "forever" really only mean for the three years of the contract period?
As in, did the detailed full terms and conditions say something to the effect of "you get half price service forever for the full duration of your contract period after which the rates revert to our standard tariff"

BMJT

Just received the same email, have asked them for a copy of the contract I signed. I also have an email from back when I joined stating that it would last forever.

outtatune

Companies don't have to do business with anybody (unless it's because of a protected characteristic) so even if you do have a 'forever as a customer' agreement, what's to stop them saying 'We no longer want you as a customer, so we're ending your services. But if you'd like to apply for a new customer account we can get you set up and running tomorrow!'?

powerful_Rogue

BMJT said:

Just received the same email, have asked them for a copy of the contract I signed. I also have an email from back when I joined stating that it would last forever.

Contracts don't have to be signed.

Dalaibuy

outtatune said:

Companies don't have to do business with anybody (unless it's because of a protected characteristic) so even if you do have a 'forever as a customer' agreement, what's to stop them saying 'We no longer want you as a customer, so we're ending your services. But if you'd like to apply for a new customer account we can get you set up and running tomorrow!'?

I did think along similar lines, of going down the 'breach of contract' route, but ultimately that would just allow me to void the contract and go to a different provider, which again, I can do already.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Could attempt to claim a 25% discount on all payments made:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/1277/regulation/27I

or seek damages:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/1277/regulation/27J

Although this mentions "does not include the right to be paid damages in respect of the difference between the market price of a product and the amount payable for it under a contract" which may or may not affect this case depending upon it's exact meaning. 

BMJT

powerful_Rogue said:

BMJT said:

Just received the same email, have asked them for a copy of the contract I signed. I also have an email from back when I joined stating that it would last forever.

Contracts don't have to be signed.

Very helpful information, thanks.