BT charging me for breaking contract

[CaptainMorgan]

I'll try and keep this a short as possible.

I signed up with BT at the end of last year for broadband, I think it was 18 month contract. They put prices up in April so I took the chance to leave without a penalty. Phoned them on the 2nd of March and told them I was leaving, they said I had to take out a new contract with another provider within 30 days. 8 days later on the 10th of March I took out a deal with Vodafone and thought everything was fine. Roll on activation date and nothing happened, phoned Vodafone and they said there had been an error and it would be activated the following week.

It was changed over eventually and everything was sorted, until today that is. BT are billing me for £138 for breaking the contract and £65 for the router because I left early. After speaking to them via online chat, they are saying Vodafone didnt inform them until the 5th of April and therefore I'm to be charged the amount on the bill.

Clearly Vodafone didnt tell BT until I'd phoned them asking why the serviced hadn't moved providers but is it correct for BT to penalise me for that? Anyone had similar?

[Oakey]

You shouldn't need to inform them. When they put the prices up at the start of 2016 I got an email saying it was within my rights to cancel due to the price increase with no penalty. I exercised that right in April last year, without moving to another provider, no problem.

[court]

This has been standard BT sharp practice recently - even without your price rise get out - people in their last 30 days of the contract so want to switch, the new provider sends a line take over notice to BT - BT terminate before the contract has run it's course and then charge for early get out and the price of their crappy router(!)

I'm amazed they're still getting away with it.

[DoubleU]

I would call BT up again and ask to make a complaint. Explain that you spoke to them previously asking to cancel regarding the price increase and you were advised to go to another provider. Ths should be noted on your account. Whilst it's not BT's fault they got the notification late, its not yours either. Its clear that you were leaving due to the price increase and the transfer has now gone through.

Worst case, you log it with the ombudsman but I cant imagine it getting that far.

[Chester draws]

why do you have to sign up with another provider in order to cancel the contract??

What if you decide there is no other provider suitable and you'll just do without broadband?

[skeggysteve]

OP I'd be careful about who you are proposing to move to.

I recently was going to move to them but my current provider, after a few calls, decided to match their offer.

When I called Vodafone to cancel the order the customer service person upon hearing I wanted to stay with Plusnet said 'Yes, I'd do that as well'!

When I placed the order Vodafone sent an email saying the router would be delivered in 2 working days, it took 8, it also said that someone would call to discuss my order within 2 days, no one called.

When I pointed these things to the CS person they said a lot of people have made the same comments.

[CaptainMorgan]

All sorted, Vodafone have credited my account with the charge from BT. Also, the customer service from Vodafone has been fantastic, phoned me when they said they would, emailed be and let me know what was going on, really top notch and wipes spots off BT's half hour wait just to talk to someone!

Chester draws said:

why do you have to sign up with another provider in order to cancel the contract??

What if you decide there is no other provider suitable and you'll just do without broadband?

I could have told them I was not having internet anymore and left, but thenit would have taken 2 weeks to reconnect I think.