BT Demanding Payment

[Piano Cube]

Hi, just needed a little advice for a friend.

My friend has just been admitted to hospital and very nearly died, he has had to give up his flat and when he gets out of hospital will be living in a half-way house/rehab clinic. We're sorting out his bills etc and have spoken to BT regarding his phone line and broadband. They say he has 10 months left on the contract and will have to pay over £300 even though he is unable to use it, transfer it to a new address and will probably be in hospital for a good deal of time yet. Is this right and besides that is it ethical for a company to be so greedy under the circumstances?

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can give me.

[locutus]

Is this right and besides that is it ethical for a company to be so greedy under the circumstances?

 

Ethical I'd say not really, I understand BT incurr costs in setting these services up but I don't think they will come to £300!!!

 

However in the eyes of the law, they probably do have a binding agreement

[buzby]

Ethical? Afraid in the world of commerce, that's a dirty word! He agreed to the the minimum term when taking out the contract, so he is duty bound to pay for any cancellations. If the minimum term had been completed, then 30 days would have been OK. To be fair, IF BT offered a higher-priced service but with no cancellation hikes, how many people would take it?

 

I now avoid all commitments like this for that very reason - ANYTHING could happen, illness, hit by a bus, a whole range of things I have no control over. Expecting some sort of waiver might come as a pleasant surprise, but no - I certainly wouldn't expect it. Mind you, if I expired - they could all whistle for it!