BT - £125 to take my existing account to a new address

Abraham · 21 Jun 2007 at 15:48

Basically looking for any leeway or workaround of the £125 charge for having the 1st BT line in a property, just about to move into a rented flat as the 1st tenant since the buildings construction. I've always thought the £125 charge is a bit unfair in new flats where the BT lines etc are already fitted and the charge is in essence for enabling the line, and i feel i'm being even more hard done by as i'm not even creating a new account, i want to move with the account i've had for the past 3 years.

I know it's likely i'll have to just pay the charge, however if anyone has avoided it or knows someone who has i'd like to know how as i really dont know how they can justify it.

monkeyspank · 21 Jun 2007 at 16:02

Probably not what you want to hear but I think NTL only charge £25 for an install, but you'd have to get cable internet too.

Mat · 21 Jun 2007 at 16:03

I presume you've spoken to someone on the phone and told them the situation as you outlined here?

Indy500 · 21 Jun 2007 at 16:04

monkeyspank said:
Probably not what you want to hear but I think NTL only charge £25 for an install, but you'd have to get cable internet too.

Theres the problem of availability...

helpimcrap · 21 Jun 2007 at 16:05

threaten to go virgin media.

Danger Phoenix · 21 Jun 2007 at 16:06

What's the installation/enabling charge like for opening a new account?

Ask to speak to a manager, and explain the situation, and highlight the fact that Virgin Media charge next to nothing, especially when they actually come and fit wires etc!

ci_newman · 21 Jun 2007 at 16:06

helpimcrap said:
threaten to go virgin media.

Or why not GO to virgin media? (assuming your flat can get cable)

Abraham · 21 Jun 2007 at 16:13

i cant get virgin media, which i think is a bit stupid for a new build flat in a cabled area, but still
yes i've spoken to someone on the phone who confirmed that even as an existing customer i would be charged £125
i didnt really push the matter though, want to say the right things if that's what it's going to take
obviously saying i'll go with virgin is an option, but seeing as it's not actually an option for me to do i'd rather not

DB_SamX · 21 Jun 2007 at 16:15

They may not not know that you can't get Virgin, so a threat might be fine.

mleh · 21 Jun 2007 at 16:18

Tell them you'll complain to Ofcom and then see what they will charge.

Rebelius · 21 Jun 2007 at 16:25

I had to pay £99 or something when I moved in here to get them to flick a switch or something because the last people who lived here got cut off

Abraham · 21 Jun 2007 at 16:31

Rebelius said:
I had to pay £99 or something when I moved in here to get them to flick a switch or something because the last people who lived here got cut off

that's a bit rubbish, if there's ever been a bt line in the property it should be free

Manlove is my forte · 21 Jun 2007 at 16:35

IMO if your are renting then the landlord should pay this.

Abraham · 21 Jun 2007 at 16:37

Kronologic said:
IMO if your are renting then the landlord should pay this.

that was my 1st thought actually, but i struggled to justify it to myself as to why they should, other than they can tell tenants after myself that they wont have to

gjrc · 21 Jun 2007 at 16:41

how much will you use the line? is it just for broadband?

threaten to go elsewhere you can usually get charges like this waived if you threaten hard enough.

Abraham · 21 Jun 2007 at 16:44

gjrc said:
how much will you use the line? is it just for broadband?

threaten to go elsewhere you can usually get charges like this waived if you threaten hard enough.

it's for broadband and sky, i wont really use it for calls

Abraham · 21 Jun 2007 at 17:03

the home mover department are very insistent that i wont be able to get any discount on the charge

holding out for someone who has had this charge waived, otherwise i'll just have to pay it tomorrow

shine · 21 Jun 2007 at 17:05

If you don't need your old number then try opening a new account at the new place - new customers usually get better discounts.

Skii · 21 Jun 2007 at 17:06

I moved in February this year, BT wanted £150 to connect me, which I promptly scoffed at and called Telewest (now Virgin) to see what deal they could do me - turns out BT did me a big favour !

phi1 · 21 Jun 2007 at 17:10

did you speak to them on the phone? On there website it said that for me, But i phoned up and it was totally free