Free Laptop Joke (Orange Broadband)

[howdidigethere]

I'd like to start with:

DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, SIGN UP FOR INTERNET FROM ORANGE.

Here's the story

On the 28th of July I tried to sign up to Orange Broadband. I was told that there was a 'Tag' on my line and that I should ring BT to sort this out.

4th of August: Manage to sign up at PC 'If its hasn't got windows on it we don't sell it' World. Was told to wait a few days.

10th of August rang orange and was informed that new accounts take 15 days to set up. Fair enough.

19th of August: Give orange a call to see whats happening - Am told its going to be activated in the next couple of days. Ask were my Livebox is - It has been sent.

24th of August: Phone Orange. Apparently my service request was refused by BT. Orange blame this on BT's database. No Livebox has been sent. Phone BT and spend 4 hours on the phone being shifted between departments who have absolutely no idea what they are doing (Why can't orange do this?)

Several Phone calls later..... (And 2 free months)

August 30th: Live box arrives. Plug it in. Nothing. Still no Laptop 'voucher'

Several phone calls and excuses by incompetent indian staff later....

September 11th: Internet Connected!

September 17th: Call Orange to ask when my Telephoneservice (VOIP) will be activated. I am told to wait 3 to 5 days, My account has not been activated?

September 21st: No Laptop, No VOIP and now an email saying that orange cannot provide a broadband service to me.

This is news to me as I am currently surfing on the net!

Several Irate telephone calls later.... My account has been cancelled due to 'Incompatibilities on the line' and blame is again put onto BT.

My question to you guys is.....

Being as my telephone bill will now be huge due to the amount of time I have spent on the telephone (0870 @ 7.5p/min) do you think that I could start a small claim against orange for this back (along with of course added interest and an allowance for my time @ £15/hour)?

I think I can as I would be claiming under the failure deliver goods part of the legislation. (is a service a good?)

I have already requested this money from Orange, but alas, no reply.

Seriously, you would think that this is Brain Surgery!

(Please note that I have nothing against PC 'Running Linux is like putting a Ford engine in a Porsche' World

[MrShed]

My thoughts:

- They havent supplied you the service, but nor have you paid for the service by your own post.

- There will be in there terms and conditions something covering the eventuality that you cannot be supplied broadband.

- I personally would be placing 90% of the blame on BT, having had too much experience in dealing with them in the past.

- You must speak to BT about it, Orange are not the account holder.

None of which answers your question, as I dont know the answer - just my thoughts on comments in your post.