Ending Contract Early

Maris · Sep 30, 2007, 22:22:18

I'm so looking forward to coming to IDNet from BT Total .... after 8 months of problems, mis-information from their so called customer service, dire slow service etc. I won't go on. Should be up & running Wednesday. I've cancelled my contract with BT 2 months early & appreciate that legally I'm liable for paying them for those 2 months. They are, however, also asking me to pay a £45 cancellation fee. I resent having to pay them when I consider they are in breach of contract by not providing anything like the service they advertise. Does anyone know of any sites where I could get further information to fight my corner please?

Lance · Sep 30, 2007, 22:38:00

First off, welcome to the forum, have a karma!

I don't know of any sites, but I'm sure someelse will be able to help you either tonight or in the morning.

Simon · Sep 30, 2007, 23:51:00

Pipex would have pulled the same trick on me, had I migrated when I wanted to eight months ago. Eight month's charges, plus a £58.75 cancellation fee. My argument that they were not providing the 'Max' service I signed up for was countered by the words 'up to' in the contract, i.e. they were contracted to provide speeds 'up to' 8Mb, so in fact, were not in breach of contract by my only receiving just over 2Mb, and blamed my BT line for the limited speed.

I think these big companies have things sewn up pretty well, but Ofcom may be of some use if you wanted to pursue it.

Rik · Oct 01, 2007, 08:26:11

Sadly, I have to echo what the others have said. BT will have the contract wrapped up tightly, and unless you're prepared to go to court and risk the cost of losing, I think you are stuck with the charges.

Ofcom tends to be toothless in these situations. Until we have a regulator which acts for the consumer, not the industry, the only thing we can do as consumers is vote with our feet and only sign up to 1 month contracts.

Gary · Oct 01, 2007, 10:31:38

I managed to get some monies back from Orange because they were a member of the ISPA ( a body set up to help mediate complaints not resolved through the ISP), sadly looking on their site BT seem not to be a member, so unless there is an independent complaints organisation for BT I would bite the bullet and pay, as everyone else has said most contracts are tied up pretty tight, and it is up to you to prove they did not provide quality of service as stated in their terms and conditions, and that's pretty hard

Maris · Oct 01, 2007, 17:06:08

Thank you for your replies & comments.
I'd already pretty much accepted, with much reluctance and a slightly nauseating feeling, that there's little you can do once they've got your signature on the dotted line. Still, only 2 days to go till I'm free of them.
Thanks again.

Rik · Oct 01, 2007, 17:12:42

We'll give you a big welcome here and try to take the sting out of BT.

Maris · Oct 03, 2007, 19:23:56

Bliss.... I received an e-mail this morning from IDNet advising me that my service was activated & for the first time in months my speed suddenly was over 1 Meg.
Last week I received an e-mail from BT; my line was not capable of handling anything over 250 kb as I am some 2 miles from the exchange and this was the sort of speed I've been enduring for months. How are these large companies allowed to get away with it, restricting speeds like that & misinforming their customers.

Lance · Oct 03, 2007, 19:27:49

A massive welcome to IDNet! Have a celebratory karma!

Simon · Oct 03, 2007, 20:49:25

Yes, another warm welcome, Maris, the honeymoon starts here!

Rik · Oct 04, 2007, 01:40:49

Quote from: Maris on Oct 03, 2007, 19:23:56
How are these large companies allowed to get away with it, restricting speeds like that & misinforming their customers.

Sadly, because too many people take their word for it and don't do the research you did.

Welcome to our world.

Gary · Oct 04, 2007, 09:15:40

Welcome to IDNet

Pistol · Oct 04, 2007, 11:00:07

Quote from: Maris on Sep 30, 2007, 22:22:18
They are, however, also asking me to pay a £45 cancellation fee. I resent having to pay them when I consider they are in breach of contract by not providing anything like the service they advertise. Does anyone know of any sites where I could get further information to fight my corner please?

Hiya Maris, Im in a similar situation atm. What i advise is (if you can be bothered) sit down and go through the Terms and Conditions carefully. There will be a section where they promise what they Service is they will provide. Generally companies cover their arses very well and as you found, sadly little words like "upto" cover a multitude of sins. Also they are likely to pretty much say they dont promise to give a stable service etc..
You may find that they have breached terms somewhere..im currently contending that with my ISP as they a falsly advertising, so i can speak with Trading Standards.

It doesnt hurt to report to OFCOM inany case, though they will not look into your individual case persay, it adds to their database.

Bottom line.. we need to spend time with T&C's before joining any company. It is sad that we the end users get screwed over. Pressure needs to be put on ISP's to be clear in advertising.. and to offer a certain speed range impo. Claiming upto 8mb in large print.. and then in small print explaining you may get less.. (and often getting maybe 10% that..) is misleading to the majority of users.

Maris · Oct 04, 2007, 17:38:18

Thanks for the welcomes, I like this place.
Thanks Pistoleer, I shall peruse their T & Cs with my tooth-comb, though as you say they've pretty well got their backs covered.

Gary · Oct 05, 2007, 00:50:07

Glad you like this place Maris, its a helpful and fun forum and people will always help with issues and offer advice on many subjects, welcome aboard