You don't get if you don't ask

[LuggerBugs]

Folowing on from my dispute with Tiscali, I thought I'd better actually check into their portal to check out my OWN account, and make sure it was all in order. Only to find that I'm paying £15.99 a month for just broadband, and the dearest for new customers is only £14.99. Cheeky feckers!!!

So I phoned up customer services to ask WTF was going on, and they immediately offered to drop it to £9.99 a month. Hmmm. OK, what else can you do for me? says I.

Broadband, full phone package for £19.99 a month, and £8.50 line rental.

Give me free line rental, and its a deal, says I.

No sorry, says she. No can do.

OK, just send me my MAC code then, and I'll sign up with someone else.

Sure you want to do that sir?

Positive. Your site says £19.99 all in and free line rental for new customers, so why can't you give me that?

I'm not allowed to offer you that sir. Won't you reconsider.

I'm not allowed to do that, says I. My supervisor won't let me. Just email me my MAC, and we'll call it quits.

So. Moral of the story is, check your monthly payments, and see if your provider is overcharging you. They'll very likely offer you a discount to stay. It's a pity Tiscali's call centre girl tried to be cheeky in return, otherwise I'd have bitten her hand off for £6 a month off my bill.

[WendyB]

Re: You don't get if you don't ask

Thats the same deal I've got with Tiscali. Coudln't get the free line rental cos its not rolled out in my area yet, something to do with BT not giving them the info they're supposed to etc. But i know its gradually being rolled out, and will be able to swap as soon as its in my area. TBh tiscali are usually pretty good at upgrading, changing packages etc. I've done that before with them, when cheaper offers become available, and never had a problem.

[LuggerBugs]

Re: You don't get if you don't ask

I've signed up with the BT total package. It'll be good for Louise's business, cos she can use the BT openzone connection in McDonalds across the road from her business unit, and use the VoiP for a phone. Save a fortune. LOL

[scoobydoo]

Re: You don't get if you don't ask

thanks for that - something I have meant to look in to now our iitial contract is up.

Did they give you the Mac number without any problems?

scooby

[LuggerBugs]

Re: You don't get if you don't ask

Yup. They texted it through same day, as well as emailing it.

[LuggerBugs]

Re: You don't get if you don't ask

WOOHOO!!! All BT'd up. 2nd line (albeit VoIP) with new phone number, free evening and weekend calls. And best of all... THEY'VE GOT ME CONNECTED AT 1meg!!

Tiscali told me 512K was the best they could do, even though they were charging me the same as someone on an 8meg connnection.

Now, 1meg in this day and age might not seem a lot. But it IS double the speed I've been used to. So I'm well chuffed. Bearing in mind that only a couple of years ago, I was lucky to get broadband at all because of my house being at the limit the old copper lines.

[enaid]

Re: You don't get if you don't ask

I have signed up to BT too Lugger fort he full trip lol don't know what to do with half the stuff that comes with it lol, but as usual I'll learn.

[LuggerBugs]

Re: You don't get if you don't ask

Have you signed up for option 3, or the total thing with the mobile phone as well?

I'm amazed that I get unlimited Openzone access too. Guess who'll be taking his lappy with him every time he goes for a coffee?

The hub phone is really easy to set up. That'll save a packet phoning our relatives abroad too.

It seems initially quite expensive, but the extras are good. The bloomin phone is £69 on BT's website, although I suppose you can get them cheaper on eBay. And Norton is another £30 or so if you had to buy it.

Mind you, I set it all up manually. No way I'm going to have BT Yahoo's browser forced on me. :tung:

[scottishlass]

Re: You don't get if you don't ask

oooo that's what I've got too option 3 haven't set the phone up yet,just hope I can just take it all with me when I move.

Note to self.......must phone BT

[LuggerBugs]

Re: You don't get if you don't ask

Are you keeping the same phone number SL? The hub authenticates on your phone number so it should be a doddle, and even if you change numbers, it should be as simple as letting them know so your broadband moves at the same time as your phone service commences. Pretty much plug and play.

How far you moving? Same area, or further afield?

[scottishlass]

Re: You don't get if you don't ask

Not far hope I can take my number with me going to New Pitsligo.

Son just going into 4th year so didn't want to move too far and oldest son has a job with local Electrician. So make sense not to venture too far.

[LuggerBugs]

Re: You don't get if you don't ask

We should arrange our own LB meet for us folks that are too far to get to Peterborough.

Except I have a feeling there would only be the two of us there, so it might be lacking a bit in atmosphere.

[scottishlass]

Re: You don't get if you don't ask

Have to agree with you.

We need to spread the word and get some more Scottish members on here.

There was a bit in the P & J yesterday about Peterhead Sherriff Court and the amount of CCJ's going through has doubled, so plenty people needing help.

[LuggerBugs]

Re: You don't get if you don't ask

I missed that cos I haven't quite got round to reading yesterday's paper. I'll have a squint now.

I can feel a Letter to the Editor coming on.

[LuggerBugs]

Re: You don't get if you don't ask

OK, this thread is going seriously off topic now. But here's the article SL was referring to...

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/649555

And so here's my letter to the editor...

Sir,

It comes as no surprise to me that the number of decrees issued by Peterhead Sherriff Court has risen so massively in such a short space of time. Financial institutions, having bought into the sub-prime fiasco so eagerly in order to make a fast buck, are now seeking to recoup their losses by passing the buck. And it’s the consumer who is suffering because of their ineptitude.

Lenders now appear all too eager to sell on a problematic account earlier compared to this time last year. Even when a debtor has an agreement in place to repay a debt when he or she finds themselves in difficulty, often the debt is sold on anyway. Other companies have decided that lending is no longer a viable part of their business, and so people with loans or credit cards can find they have become a shiny new “customer” of a debt purchase company, despite having an impeccable credit history.

Bear in mind that the new creditor MAY have paid anything between 5 and 25 pence in the pound for a debt, it hardly seems particularly moral to find that these companies want the full amount repaid, especially considering that they charge interest on the face value of that debt. Personally speaking, I see that as Unjust Enrichment. Take into account too that very often, the new creditor has no idea what sort of interest rate had been agreed between the debtor and the original lender, but appears to “wing it” and make it up as they go along. Despite it being unlawful to charge any more than that in the original agreement.

Debt purchasers too, have been known to take liberties in their methods of debt collection. Lying, threatening, and unlawful harassment seems to be the business model of choice in many cases. And I wonder how many of those who have decrees issued against them, actually turned up in court to defend themselves? Or did they feel so intimidated by the creditor in question’s behaviour, that they just pushed their head further in the sand when the papers came through their door; the creditor winning by default. Far too many, in my opinion.

What the general public needs to understand is this: In many cases, the creditor CAN be lawfully challenged. Perhaps the debt was made up partially, and in some cases wholly, of unlawful charges or interest that is not owed in the first place? Or perhaps they have been hounded for someone else’s debt, or for a debt that is long since statute barred, the debtor having made no payments or acknowledgement of any debt for over 5 years? The reasons are myriad, but in a very large percentage of cases, if a debtor were to turn up and defend in court, there would be either no debt owed at all, or at least not the sum claimed by the creditor. Or the alleged debt might be totally unenforceable for one reason or another.

The Citizen’s Advice Bureaux can help you if you find yourself in financial difficulties, as they are well aware of the pressure some lenders and creditors can use to extract money. But CAB is severely understaffed and underfunded. So for those prepared and able to do a little work for themselves, it might be more appropriate to join one of the many online self help forum that are available, and do some research there. Most members have been through the financial mill themselves, and so there is a huge well of personal experience to draw on. Even a simple internet search for the name of the company pursuing you for payment can often bring surprising results. I cannot recommend any one forum over another, but again, a search for “Debt Forum” will point you in the right direction.

It’s time to take your head out of the sand, folks. The financial institutions have had it all their own way for far too long. Start fighting back. Don’t become yet another statistic in the Decree Register, just because you have been too afraid or ashamed to make a stand. If you don’t owe it, and in a substantial amount of cases you don’t, why should you pay it?

Iain Smith
“Rogue Debtor”