How did BT get so bad?

BigglesPiP

BigglesPiP

BigglesPiP

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Joined
8 Mar 2006
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Near Winchester
The only way to get mains internet in my flat (ie. not 3G satellite), is on a BT line, so I paid my £125 :eek: for them to come and connect me.

The sales guy (who did speak English), was watching a football match when I called, and it turns out he's called me Ali, and also got my date of birth wrong.

Today I noticed the line was dead (only a week after being connected). The tech support lady did speak English, and had my calls forwarded to my mobile while it's being repaired, sounds like a good thing, but remember that my line is broken.

The person who sorts out my name doesn't speak English, a few attempts later we've established my phone number and pulled up the account details. Turns out I have to send them written proof of my name and DOB. "Is that a freepost address or a normal one?" "Yes, bye." :confused:

So, this leaves me with 2 problems:

- All of my ID is is to my address back up north, so they're probably going to refuse to change my name. Maybe not a bad thing as I'm probably going to be facing a charge to cancel the contract if I move in February.

- Do I affix a stamp?
 
Complain, write to the chairman's office tell them their service is appalling, and you couldn't understand anyone you spoke to and they couldn't understand you.

As for your problem, normally a freepost address will have 'FREEPOST' in it, so affix a stamp. You're sending it to the UK, so the person that reads it should understand you, explain your plight and say you've already written to the chairman's office following the extremely poor service you've already received as a new customer ;)
 
aproctor said:
you dont have to go through BT for a landline anymore iirc.
Click to expand...

I know, but if other companies don't serve that area, he doesn't really have much choice.
The only way to get mains internet in my flat (ie. not 3G satellite), is on a BT line, so I paid my £125 for them to come and connect me.
Click to expand...

He paid for the line already so even if someone else can connect him later, that £125 will have been wasted.
 
When i was trying to get ADSL all the providers said i needed a BT landline. I can't help with this situation i'm afraid, but it may comfort you to know they were terrible at setting me up too so you aren't alone.
 
sr4470 said:
I know, but if other companies don't serve that area, he doesn't really have much choice.


He paid for the line already so even if someone else can connect him later, that £125 will have been wasted.
Click to expand...

other companies that "supply" bt lines are merely providing the service the lines are the same as they would be if you went through BT.
 
sr4470 said:
I know, but if other companies don't serve that area, he doesn't really have much choice. 3G\Satellite are too expensive.
Click to expand...

You can get a landline from another company, and you'll not be billed by BT but it'll still run through the same copper network, and be at the same exchange.

However, the prices are largely the same.
 
Scottland said:
You can get a landline from another company, and you'll not be billed by BT but it'll still run through the same copper network, and be at the same exchange.

However, the prices are largely the same.
Click to expand...

aproctor said:
other companies that "supply" bt lines are merely providing the service the lines are the same as they would be if you went through BT.
Click to expand...

Thats well and good, but he's already paid BT the installation cost, and if it has a physical fault (which is what it sounds like) only BT can fix it.
 
BigglesPiP said:
How did BT get so bad?
Click to expand...

I don't recall them ever getting bad, they just always have been. They should be avoided like the plague because they clearly have no intention of ever becoming a decent company. They are bad in so many ways. A lot of companies suffer from incompetence, although most not as bad as BT. BT however, are also nasty to go along with their incompetence. They have no respect for privacy either, as proved by the current Phorm scandal that they are pressing on with.

And don't even get me started with their billing system. Why does every single service with them have to have a completely different account number?

Getting any services from BT really should be last resort in all cases, as you will inevitably get screwed at some point or other. Unfortunately, in many cases, as it sounds like it was for you, they are all that is available due to the monopoly they have over the copper phone lines. :(
 
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