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BT pricing and contract tactics
fifthofwhisky
Posts: 235 Forumite
Signed up for BT on behalf of an elderly relative, initial term 12 months, fibre broadband. Renewed after 12 months at same rate on an 18 month contract.
BT increased their prices shortly after. Called and was told that to keep the price we would need to sign a new 18 month contract. I asked about price increases during the term and was told that BT had no plans to increase prices. Checked the options available at the time and decided to proceed.
BT increased their prices shortly after. Called again and was told the same, etc.
This seems to be an organized and deliberate approach by BT to increase and protect their revenues. Speeds are good, and only a few service glitches. What I really don't like is the customer is an elderly and vulnerable person.
Has anyone experienced this and found a way of dealing with it? Or a better alternative?
BT increased their prices shortly after. Called and was told that to keep the price we would need to sign a new 18 month contract. I asked about price increases during the term and was told that BT had no plans to increase prices. Checked the options available at the time and decided to proceed.
BT increased their prices shortly after. Called again and was told the same, etc.
This seems to be an organized and deliberate approach by BT to increase and protect their revenues. Speeds are good, and only a few service glitches. What I really don't like is the customer is an elderly and vulnerable person.
Has anyone experienced this and found a way of dealing with it? Or a better alternative?
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Comments
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Difficult to understand post .
But reads as signed a 18 month contract .
In that contract BT had the right to raise prices in the future .As do most ISPs .
Depends upon the date of contract as last BT price increase was cira 4th Sept 2018 .
Emails advising this and how to get out penalty free from June onwards .0 -
As JJ Egan indicates, the price rises while in contract are pretty standard between all ISP's its not just BT. There is usually the option to leave within 30 days of them raising their prices, or as you've done, just phone up and re-negotiate.fifthofwhisky wrote: »Has anyone experienced this and found a way of dealing with it? Or a better alternative?
Sadly, anyone who can't cope with this continual monitoring of prices & contracts, then having to phone up and haggle, simply ends up paying more. Unless they have a friend or relative like you who can do it for them.
There are some other options (take a look at Broadband deals for the elderly on broadbandchoices). If in receipt of some benefits, they could use the BT Basic service which also has the option for a basic broadband package too.0 -
Difficult to understand post .
But reads as signed a 18 month contract .
In that contract BT had the right to raise prices in the future .As do most ISPs .
Depends upon the date of contract as last BT price increase was cira 4th Sept 2018 .
Emails advising this and how to get out penalty free from June onwards .
Yes, essentially an 18 month contract was signed - on the expectation of budgeting for the period at the agreed rate. So the options are switch or call BT, negotiate the price, and extend the contract. It's an overhead and a PITA. I guess many older people do not even notice.0 -
Both TalkTalk and Plusnet (at least, may be others) now have no price increase (of basic service) during contract. BT are usually behind the curve on innovative pricing. Maybe the others are getting in line before regulation forces change, what other consumer services can increase prices mid contract ?0
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lol, Tell me about it my virgin media 70mb with phone line new contract agreed on Feb 2018 bills went from £24,£27,£30.£35 not even one phone call made cannot wait to cancel in Feb 2019.0
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