Autumn Price increase FAQ's

[#1]

Quote from: deadman2020

Line rental is an extortion. The cost of maintaining the copper network does not justify the cost charged to customers. It is simply another device to make 'extra' money on top of the broadband package.

In my opinion it's a way to subsidise the broadband prices and the people who really suffer are those who only have a telephone.

Quote from: deadman2020

The other issue is I paid 12 months up front for line rental but am locked into 18 months broadband which puts both out of sync with each other. This just makes things awkward if you wanted to get out of the LRS early.

Plusnet's stated position is that LRS is non-refundable.  You can get out early but you won't get any money back.

Quote from: deadman2020

There is now very little to differentiate Plusnet from their competitors. It's all a bit sad really.

Plusnet used to differentiate itself by offering cheap no-frills broadband with good customer service.  It seems to have lost its way now.  They're prepared to be 'beat' on price and they haven't enough staff to offer good customer service.

[#2]

Line rental pays for all that expensive infrastructure.
I don't make many calls, so BT would be out of pocket if they relied on a few phone calls made by me.
Paying up front for anything that you are uncertain whether you need it for a full year is a gamble.
Sometimes you lose.
It's not like car insurance payments.

[#3]

Quote from: ReedRichards

Plusnet's stated position is that LRS is non-refundable.   You can get out early but you won't get any money back.

I wish Ofcom ruling to have full refund for any LRS with any remaining left on a 12 months. As a non-refundable is a scandal really.

[#4]

I agree the situation seems unfair but wishing isn't getting.  It  is stated very clearly here http://www.plus.net/home-broadband/line-rental-saver/ that LRS is non-refundable.  And you don't have to pay the increased line rental charge until your current LRS expires.   

[#5]

Quote from: vilefoxdemonofdoom

Line rental pays for all that expensive infrastructure. I don't make many calls, so BT would be out of pocket if they relied on a few phone calls made by me.

That is not the point. Separating out (and almost hiding) the extortionate *line rental" charge is bordering on a con and Ofcom or whoever should put a stop to it. There should be an inclusive price advertised for a voice service, broadband service or both, prices would then be comparable between suppliers, which is good for competition. Sadly, most suppliers of products hate competition, they would much rather have a cartel where they can fix prices and maximise profits.
Edit: actually that doesn't really work as it doesn't cater for voice and broadband being with different suppliers. Perhaps we should be paying the infrastructure company directly for "line rental"

[#6]

I am not sure I accept the logic entirely
The problem is that all the major suppliers focus on a low broadband price and hide everything else as a marketing ploy
This being a prime example http://www.sky.com/shop/broadband-talk/ ; where it is actually a loss leader

[#7]

I don't like Sky myself but it say on T&C's 12 months minimum subscriptions except 18 months minimum subscriptions for Sky Fibre up to 38Mbps + Sky Talk & Sky Line Rental. So, Sky seem more expensive than Plusnet.

[#8]

But they also give you free wifi (like BT fon), however I will never have a sky sub again!
What's the number for the COT again? (no rush as I haven't got my email yet)

[#9]

Look at bottom of this page under Contact us

[#10]

I give up.  People for the last time T&C's are not gospel.  A contract is not law.
Ofcom state for contracts before June 2014 if a customer can prove material detriment they are due a "penalty free" cancellation should they wish to leave as a result of these changes.  This seems clear to me, LRS is not magically excluded from such a thing.  In this case what plusnet put in T&C's has no legal bearing.  Plusnet are probably staying silent on this because if they openly admin in public people can be refunded then LRS people may leave en masse, instead its left for people to chase up individually in private.  Part of the problem is ofcom do not like enforcing their own rules, they say they wont accept direct individual complaints or rather act on those individual complaints, instead only log them and 'maybe' take action if enough tally up.  Although I have seen them act on clear breaches they dont like to make this known.
This is my last post on this, cant be bothered anymore, but we have had confirmation that LRS customers still have the call rate and surcharge increases.  There is a grey area from ofcom about call charges (As the guy on the phone seemed to think they not under contract) but the written legislation seems clear to me, anything part of the contract that is a material detriment is a get out of jail free card.  Ironically plusnet's policy to increase broadband prices when is no voice service works against them here.
e.g.
If LRS is 12 month contract and broadband is 18 months so possibly seen as 2 separate contracts (not sure it is tho) and the customer cancels LRS without penalty due to ofcom regulations, if broadband price did not go up then plusnet do not have the same obligation on the broadband service.  But because it does go up, they do have the same obligation.

[#11]

Quote from: chrcoluk

I give up.  People for the last time T&C's are not gospel.  A contract is not law.

But recourse to the law is expensive; likely to be much more expensive than the sums of money involved here.  As you are not going to post again this becomes a rhetorical question but what could someone who wanted to leave and get a refund on their LRS do?  Practically?  That would cost them less than the value of the refund they are seeking?

[#12]

Quote from: Oldjim

Look at bottom of this page under Contact us

That gives the general number, I thought there was a direct one for COT?

[#13]

http://www.plus.net/support/customer_service/using/grass_is_greener.shtml

Quote

Whether you're after a MAC, or want to cancel outright you'll need to speak to our Customer Options team. They're available on 0800 013 2632 or 0330 123 9197. For opening hours, please check our Contact us page.

[#14]

COT is the cancellations number

[#15]

Funny wording by Plusnet "We're sorry that you're thinking of leaving Plusnet. If there's anything we can do to change your mind we'd be happy to discuss any issues you have and see what we can do for you."
-:
yes I rather to kept my line rental at the same price at £14.50 per month with LRS until my broadband offer end of 24 months! Because Broadband and Phone are part of the deal agreement!