Hi all
In August, 2 bt advisors advised me to go onto Broadband and hour long phone calls for free. They both assured me that my bills would be so much lower. I had trouble paying the previous ones, and ended paying £20 a fortnight, and always cleared my bills in time for the next one.
I listened carefully to these 2 men, and happily went along with them. To my horror my bill is now £50 more. The charges alone are now nearly £100!!!!!!!!!!
I spoke to ofcom bt, and they told me that as long as I'm am paying something, then I would be ok. I explained that as christmas is coming etc, all I could pay right now was £10.
I have just rung BT, and they said this isn't an option. I have to pay this bill in full within a few weeks.I went through again everything that happened back in August, and asked if BT took any responsibility at all for this b...... mess I am now in. I spoke to a supervisor, and he has told me that it has to be paid in full, as I've done payments of £20 for the last six months. (They have always been paid though, before my next bill arrives).
I have tried once again to call Ofcom, but they are not open until tomorrow.
I am in such a state here. I don't know what to do. I am going to be cut off sometime in November as there is no way I can pay the full amount so soon.
Please help and suggest options of what I could do please.
Hi C-L
I have just sent BT an e.mail of complaint. Hopefully I will get an answer soon!
I have been sat pondering over what I can possibly do. I am wondering if perhaps I can change to another company, but then again I'm in a b...... contract for 18 months, (even though I haven't signed anything) this was all agreed over the phone. Do contracts stand up without a signature???
If I'm able to change to another company, I will still be in heaps of trouble as that means two bills to pay.
There was me feeling quite ok about this bill, because of what ofcom BT had told me. They are all a bunch of you know whats. I am angry, and now feel so down about it all.
Ever feel like going to bed, pulling the duvet over your head, and wishing everything would disappear?
Hi
I've no idea what to suggest here, other than seeing if CAB can help. To me, it sounds like you've been mis-sold a product, so maybe CAB can come up with a solution?
I know that doesn't help, sorry.
Hi Sparkling
I will wait on BT's reply. I'm guessing that the complaints department won't be open until Monday. I shall also speak to ofcom BT again tomorrow, and if no joy, then I shall ring Local Trading Standards (not sure if they could help). I shall search all avenues. If they took me to court, not only would they have the expense of that, the courts would see, (surely) that I can't possibly afford anything over what I am offering at the moment. I have just sat and worked out my expenses for the next two weeks, and my outgoings are higher than my incomings.
Time to dive under the duvet.
Take care
Alison
x :)
Hi all
Someone has just phoned from the complaints department at BT. I was surprised as didn't think I would hear until tomorrow. Don't know how many times i explained to her that I couldn't possibly pay this bill before christmas!!!!! I don't think they even listen let alone care. I am stuck with this contract, even though I told her I hadn't signed anything! (No getting out of that then). After speaking for 15 minutes, she has said she will put it down that the bill will be paid fortnightly, with a payment of what I can afford until Christmas. By this time, I had lost the will to live, so I'm just hoping that she does indeed know that I am not paying before christmas.
I ranted about the two advisors in August, and that they should never have told me that I would be better off with this so called deal, because realistically, I am now in financial trouble until the contract ends. This company really is a joke, and I shall complain some more about them, (though it doesn't get anywhere in the long run does it)?
Hi alisoncam
It is defintely worth going to Ofcom but you need written confirmation from BT of the situation (even an email). Another option is think about contacting Watchdog at the BBC. Verbal contracts are indeed binding but can they prove you have agreed to it? if not then there is nothing enforceable. You can also get a debt adviser appointment at CAB as these utility companies will tend to be more co-operative with an agency than an individual.
If only I could take out another contract!!!!! I can barely keep my head above water as it is. I don't have anything other than Income Support. Once bills are paid, and loans paid back, I don't have a pot to ....... in. I cannot claim anything from the sperm doner. He doesn't live in this country, so CSA can't help me at all.
This trouble couldn't have come at a worse time for me, with christmas nearly upon us and all that. But, like all of us in the same boat, I thank my lucky stars that I have a healthy happy child. Somehow, like everything else, I will pull through, keep smiling, (though I don't feel like it), and soldier on.
Thankyou to everyone for the advice.
Take care
Alison
x :)
You are right there!!!!!! I am calling the trading standards today to see what they say first. I shall also ring ofcom again.
I think it was Louise who advised me to get letters etc, but unfortunately it has all been done over the phone. When I e.mailed the complaint to BT, I asked for them to send me an e.mail as a reply, but they didn't listen obviously, as they called me Sunday afternoon!!!!
If they don't release me from this contract, then for the next 18 months, I have to find another £33 a month, which is a huge whack for me.
Many things are meant to try us eh!
That's just the point, alisoncam, they try to avoid putting it in writing and yet ofcom often want evidence of an "impasse" before they intervene.
I hope you get some support from Trading Standards. I have found a site that might be helpful to you: http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/
Hi Louise
Thankyou for that link. I have just e.mailed consumer direct with the complaint, so fingers crossed.
Thankyou again.
Take care
Alison
x :)
Hi
Have just got off the phone from Ofcom. They have told me to write to BT, and that they have to respond within 8 weeks!!!!!!! If I still don't get joy, then I can ring Ofcom again. Wow, it's a lengthy proceedure, which i guess is what they want, as I'm sure some people would just give up!
Hopefully, I will get a response from consumer direct. Next I shall contact Trading Standards. Wish me luck, think I'm going to need it!!!!!!
Hi all
I received an e.mail from consumer direct this morning. (I had e.mailed them this week). A little while ago, Trading Standards rang. Apparantely consumer direct had passed my e.mail to them. Great service :D . I have been given steps to take, 1st, write to BT's complaint department, telling them exactly what was said, and asking for any transactions between me and them. 2nd step is ombudsman, again in writing. The woman from Trading Standards has told me to call her anytime, which I thought was lovely.
Off out now to visit sister, and do some cleaning. First stop, Macdonalds with my son. Promised all week to go Burger King, (I don't like that, so agreed on Macdonalds)!!!!
Take care all.
Alison
x :)
I would have chosen Subway :lol:
Seriously that is great that you now have a series of steps to take, alisoncam. At least now you can feel you're not alone
McDonalds it was, and it was delicious. Tried Subway pizza before, and have to say it was awful, so kind of put me off trying anything else.
I definately feel that I'm not fighting this on my own now, and that helps so much.
Hope you're all having a good evening. Can't believe this week is nearly over.
Thankyou for the advice regarding this BT business. Keep watching this space. It aint over yet!!! :lol: :lol:
Take care
Alison
x :)
Hi all
Finally got round to writing a very lengthy letter to BT yesterday! Had the day on our own, so it was quieter here. I am praying like mad that something good will come out of this!
Am I right in thinking that if BT let me out of the Broadband contract, I will be able to sign up with Talk Talk. I'm sure I can use BT line for that.
I think BT is going to hold me for some sort of contract, or else I would have changed companies altogether.
Anyhow, will be sure to keep you all posted. Thanks again
Take care
Alison
x :)
Hello alisoncam
Yes we do hope so much that you can get this resolved. As far as I know, for any Internet Service Provider except Virgin (ex-ntl) then you need to use a BT line at the moment.
Oooh I didn't know Subway did pizza, I always have a yummy sandwich with all those spicy things in like jalapenos.Glad you had a good visit to Macdonalds. I agree the week has whizzed by.
Hi Alison
I'm so glad that you've been given some positive action to take with BT.
My fingers are crossed for you!
Hi all
After sending my complaint via e.mail, and then receiving a phone call from them the same day, I figured I had agreed to pay so much a fortnight until Christmas, then pay some more after. Maybe I figured that phone call all wrong, or imagined it or something, because this morning the postie brought me a final bill from BT !!!!!!
Are they complete morons or what?
I cannot even bring myself to call them at the moment, as I'm feeling quite angry with it all, and might regret what I say to them :evil:
I will have to call them tomorrow though, once I've composed myself a bit, (that might take a week where BT is concerned)!!!!
Hope you are all having a good day.
Take care
Alison
x :)
These bills are generated many days before you get them, alisoncam and I imagine that the bill was in the system a while before your correspondence....... :x though!
Hi
I would need to pay the November bill, but I am still hoping that they will release me from the 18 month contract. Even if it is just from Broadband. Then, once the bill is paid, I can maybe look into Talk Talk.
To be honest, I don't really know what I'm thinking, so even this post probably doesn't make much sense :lol: :lol:
Hi lindsaygii
Yes, I doing all of that. I've worried myself sick over this, but like you say, as long as i'm am paying something off it, then I'm ok. The problem is I will be in debt for ages with them if they don't release me from the contracts. This is my main worry.
If it's not one thing, it's another isn't it? To top it all, christmas is looming, (another worry).
Another hair dye coming up for more grey hairs :lol: :lol:
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Hi catarratto
Thankyou for the post. Right now I'm too exhausted to deal with CAB. I know they can be excellent, and I will look into it, (promise). At the moment, I am lying low, waiting on BT's response. Burying my head in the sand if you like!
I think I'm now at the point where if I don't laugh about it, I will cry, and never bl....y stop. I'm hanging in there though.
How are you doing? I hope everything is going ok.
Take care
Alison
x :)
Don't blame you, alisoncam. :) , I would feel the same, best to save it for a day you are feeling a bit more :evil:
Hi all
As I'm typing this, I am also on the phone to BT!!! :evil: A little while ago, I received an automated call from them to my home, telling me that I hadn't paid my bill, and I will soon have the line restricted. Now, I have a bloody moron who says that my agreement with the woman in the complaints department a few weeks back, was that I would be paying my bill before Christmas :evil: :evil: I asked to be put through to the woman, (I have her name), and he tells me that they can't put calls through. What the ...........????
Now, I am going to e.mail her and demand that she calls me. No mention of my letter that I have sent to the complaints dept on the system.
Arrrggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Just got through to Trading Standards. They have told me to write another letter to BT explaining that I can't pay the full amount by the date that they want it by, and explain that Trading Standards is now taking up the case. I don't, to be honest, know if this is going to get me anywhere. Has anyone here ever dealt with Trading Standards before, and if so, did it make any difference?
Hi lindsaygii
No, you're not going mad. I copied and pasted the other post and put it in here, as I had posted in the 'hello' section I think. Thankyou for the advice. Today I am feeling a bit better as I had a good sleep, (which helps of course)
Keep watching this space, and I'll report if and when anything happens.
I hope you have a lovely weekend with your son. Weather is awful, so guess I'm staying put. I don't drive so i'm not hanging around for buses in this!!!
Take care
Alison
x :)
Hi Claire-Louise
Yes, it certainly feels like I'm banging my head against the brick wall, but I am going to let Trading Standards deal with it. If i've heard nothing from them on Monday, I will ring them, and speak to the woman that has contacted me before.
Hope you're having a fun weekend despite the weather.
Take care
Alison
x :)
Hello catarratto
EUGH! sorry to hear about your car, you don't realise how much you rely on them till they let you down do you? Hope you get sorted out one way or another, If you find it difficult to get credit then have you thought about a Credit Union? Have a look at this: http://www.abcul.org/page/members.cfm
Hi Alison
How frustrating for you. I can totally understand where you are coing from as I had a similar experience with advisers about power suppliers and like you listened to all they had to say and signed to have my power supplied by them. It was awful as the switch over was really messy and involved lots of extra expenses. The thing to remember is that these advisers are in fact sales people with a nicer name. They just want us to buy into their product rather than 'advise' us regarding our indiviual situation, especially in these hard financial times, companies are desperate to get our business and are all competing against each other. I have learned from my experience, never to sign up there and then, always read the small print and decided after careful condiseration. Hopefully this will end up being a learning experience for you too?!
In the meantime, are you now signed into a contract with BT for a period of time? Are they willing to let you switch to another package? The bad thing about BT is that they have an introductory fee for the ir products for the first three months and then the prices go up. is that what happened to you?
What about Talktalk? I know you can sign up with them using the BT connection, it might be worth looking into that as an option but won't work if you are contracted into BT. Otherwise citizen's advice might be useful.
I mentioned it on another topic about asking for the name of each of the people you speak to at BT etc and keeping a record of it. Then you can ask for the same person each time if you find an efficient person which really helps as you don't have to explain yourself each time. The only other thing I can think of at this stage is to put it all in writing and send it in to the relevant person (get their name from whoever you speak to on the phone). If you make a formal complaint then they will have to pay proper attention.
Goog luck C-L