BT - Advance Charges Argument

[Johnny580]

I have just received a quarterly bill from BT.

 

The bill states that I am £132 in debit. The debit on the bill arises from advance charges between now and the end of August for Line Rental and Broadband.

 

I pay my bill my Monthly Direct Debit. A payment of £23 is due to go out today and BT want to increase my monthly payment to £71!

 

I therefore asked if I could be billed on a monthly basis rather than a quarterly basis which would then mean that I am not being charged 3 months' in advance. I was informed I could do that but I would have to pay this bill in full and then a credit would be applied to the account which would be received by me in July!!!!

 

I am also being charged for paper billing when I registered for on line paperless billing quite some time ago.

 

My broadband contract expired yesterday and obviously my intention was negotiate a further contract but I would have to pay the original charges in full for 3 months regardless of the outcome!

 

I have complained but do not seem to be getting anywhere - they are blaming it on the billing system!

 

I did not even know I could request monthly billing I was informed of this by someone independently.

 

Does anyone have any experience with this at all?

 

Thanks

[MARTIN3030]

I think there have been many discussions here on this before.If you do a search you should find them.

[Johnny580]

Also forgot to mention that they have also added on Friends and Family Mobile onto this bill (I have never had friends and family mobile) and they have also "realigned" some of my billing charges so I am actually being charges for 3 1/2 months' broadband in advance!

[loopinlouie]

They are upsetting a lot of their customers. I am leaving to tesco within the week. 23.00 a month(monthly billing) unlimited broadband, anytime calls and line rental included, Ive had enough of bt billing and customer services, unless they are taking money they blame other depts and say its the system.

 

Bye bye bt, wont miss you

[Johnny580]

Good news I have just been onto BT and although they can't change the billing they have reduced the direct debit to cover 1 months' costs which is half what they originally wanted to take. They have refunded the Friends and Family Mobile and have also refunded the paperless billing charges - I did have to threaten to leave but I have to say surprisingly the advisor was very helpful.