Bloody BT

Wossi · 22-06-2009, 16:21

Seeing as I pick up the keys to the new house on Friday I figured I'd get in touch with BT about getting a phone line sorted as the area isn't cabled for Virgin. Had a gander at the BT website regarding connection fees and noticed this little gem:

Quote:

Please note that some properties, for example new property developments, may have a white BT socket installed that hasn't been connected (ie no dialling tone). In this case the standard connection charge will still apply.

Arse biscuits, that's £122.50 to find from somewhere then

Not exactly fair when you think about it, we have 2 choices really, pay the £122.50 to get a phone line and thus the internet. Don't pay it and get no phone line or internet

Surely they can't get away with this?

You reckon there's any chance I can get them to waive the fee or not?

TinkerBell · 22-06-2009, 16:28

At the end of the day you are buying a service to have a line installed to your house. Have you considered how much it costs BT to get an engineer out to fit that cable to your house, the cost of the materials, the wage for the engineer, the tools for the engineer.

Ofcom have decided how much telecommunications providers have to charge end user's to make it fair for all the different providers.

Why should you be let off paying for a line? Would someone come and fit a floor for you and not charge you anything for the materials, the labour, the time, or the tools? I think not.

divine · 22-06-2009, 16:30

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...postcount=1005

That might be useful.

As Tinkerbell says, the actual fee isn't all that much when you think about what BT do that they don't explicitly charge for, material costs can be huge and they pretty much maintain the network for free after it's installed.

You're paying a fee for a service, same as anything else.

Only time I don't agree is when they try and charge customers who physically enabled, just need to be turned on at the exchange.

Desmo · 22-06-2009, 16:31

I think the problem is that phones are seen as something we all just have as standard and so think that we shouldn't be paying for them to be set up.

Personally, I don't have a problem paying for the connection charge as I'm sure most companies would charge it.

Burble · 22-06-2009, 16:34

I don't see the problem. If I want a service I have to pay for it - why should a phone line be any different?

Will · 22-06-2009, 16:50

Ultimately BT own most of the copper network if not all? (Tink?) That aside why wouldn't you have to pay to get the line fitted to your property? I think you seem to expect to have a line fitted FOC? Or did I get that wrong

The only alternative is cable services - are there others except for Virgin you can try if you don't want to go with BT?

TinkerBell · 22-06-2009, 16:53

Yup BT own the copper network.

Fayshun · 22-06-2009, 17:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinkerBell

Yup BT own the copper network.

Like OCP own the Police in Robocop?

TinkerBell · 22-06-2009, 17:10

OCP? Robocop? Lol I would assume yes. But since I don't know what you are on about then don't take my word for it

Fayshun · 22-06-2009, 17:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinkerBell

OCP? Robocop? Lol I would assume yes. But since I don't know what you are on about then don't take my word for it

Go to Blockbuster, tonight.

22-06-2009, 16:30	#3
divine Moonshine Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southampton Posts: 3,201	http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...postcount=1005 That might be useful. As Tinkerbell says, the actual fee isn't all that much when you think about what BT do that they don't explicitly charge for, material costs can be huge and they pretty much maintain the network for free after it's installed. You're paying a fee for a service, same as anything else. Only time I don't agree is when they try and charge customers who physically enabled, just need to be turned on at the exchange. __________________ Last edited by divine; 22-06-2009 at 16:32.

22-06-2009, 16:31	#4
Desmo The Last Airbender Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pigmopad Posts: 11,915	I think the problem is that phones are seen as something we all just have as standard and so think that we shouldn't be paying for them to be set up. Personally, I don't have a problem paying for the connection charge as I'm sure most companies would charge it. __________________

22-06-2009, 16:50	#6
Will BBx woz 'ere :P Join Date: Jan 1970 Posts: 2,147,487,208	Ultimately BT own most of the copper network if not all? (Tink?) That aside why wouldn't you have to pay to get the line fitted to your property? I think you seem to expect to have a line fitted FOC? Or did I get that wrong The only alternative is cable services - are there others except for Virgin you can try if you don't want to go with BT? __________________ *No No!*

22-06-2009, 16:28	#2
TinkerBell Dirty Spammer Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In the middle! Posts: 2,454	At the end of the day you are buying a service to have a line installed to your house. Have you considered how much it costs BT to get an engineer out to fit that cable to your house, the cost of the materials, the wage for the engineer, the tools for the engineer. Ofcom have decided how much telecommunications providers have to charge end user's to make it fair for all the different providers. Why should you be let off paying for a line? Would someone come and fit a floor for you and not charge you anything for the materials, the labour, the time, or the tools? I think not.

22-06-2009, 16:34	#5
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	I don't see the problem. If I want a service I have to pay for it - why should a phone line be any different?

22-06-2009, 16:53	#7
TinkerBell Dirty Spammer Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In the middle! Posts: 2,454	Yup BT own the copper network.

22-06-2009, 17:10	#9
TinkerBell Dirty Spammer Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In the middle! Posts: 2,454	OCP? Robocop? Lol I would assume yes. But since I don't know what you are on about then don't take my word for it