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Pricing/Terms changes - October 2013

disallusioned
Newbie
Posts: 1
Registered: ‎27-08-2013

Broadband charge increase

Just received message that broadband charge is going up by 23%!!!!!!!!!!? How can this be justified??? My connection speed hasn't improved and  I very rarely use customer service ( one of the reasons given for the increase).  In these times of austerity it's sad to see that a service which supposedly prides itself upon  customer satisfaction  now appears to be joining the ranks of other companies that have a policy of milking the consumer for all they can get. My pension has not gone up to keep pace with this type of increase, and I'm sure most people's salaries have not done so either. Shame on you Plusnet, I was very happy with your service, but I shall now be looking around.
bobpullen
Community Gaffer
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Re: Broadband charge increase

Quote from: x47c
Not for me Bob
Concidentally today is my month's rollover date and I got the usual monthly DD advance notice to both my
postmaster plusnet address and my "other" address so we know the system is working - as it always does each month.
Checked the junk mailbox on my "other" address and nothing there either.
So no, not yet is the reply.

OK, thanks. I'll do some digging and try and find out what's happening with yours and jelv's emails. Let me know if they turn up in the meantime.
Quote from: NorthEasterner
Regarding the Sky free fibre for 6 months. Some sky TV customers can get free fibre for 6 months and just pay line rental with additional extras where applicable.
You are confusing with new customer offers

Fair enough, thanks for the clarification.
Quote from: Fireant
im shocked these are putting up line rental  as i dont know if it applies to me...

It does assuming I'm looking at the right account.
Quote from: friedfoodfan
Huh i didn't know they were hiking up the line rental!  Angry ill have to ring them in the norning, i'm so not happy about this!

Doesn't affect you from what I can tell as you only signed up recently.
Quote from: peterb99
Thanks for the reply Bob.  I appreciate it and I won't be leaving because of poor customer service because its been very good. I am a bit annoyed about the fact I was promised a lot faster speeds though I understand the wording has changed since I signed up.
If I move back to Virgin I won't be having a phone line anymore - just don't need one.
Can I keep just the phone line with plusnet until the LRS runs out in December (understand I have to pay the £25 broadband cessation fee)? 

Yes you could assuming you'd have a separate cable line installed for the Virgin connection.
Quote from: irritablegit
Secondly, I am on
Plusnet Extra Fibre - £19.99 per month - 250GB Usage Allowance - 64.6Mb download speed (estimated) - 20Mb upload speed (estimated)
but it seems to be going up to £21.49 per month

Yes, that's right.
Quote from: irritablegit
The current, "similar" offering seems to be Plusnet Unlimited Fibre - £19.99 per month - Unlimited Usage Allowance - 64.6Mb download speed (estimated) - 10Mb upload speed (estimated) so "unlimited"usage but half the upload speed

The provisioned product is exactly the same as the one you're on now so there will be no difference in speed (in fact the traffic management policy on Unlimited is slightly more favourable compared to Extra).
Quote from: irritablegit
How do I know if the Plusnet Unlimited Fibre price is about to rise or not ?

You don't I guess but any theoretical rise would be handled in a similar fashion and you'd have the opportunity to migrate without any early termination fee etc.
Quote from: irritablegit
As I can now escape my contract if I want, if I switch to Unlimited, presumably
a) I will continue to pay £19.99 and no more for the foreseeable

No, you would pay £22.49 as per the observation in your second post:
Quote from: irritablegit
I've now just looked at the website offers ... Unlimited Fibre is shown as £22.49 per month .... so it's going / gone up by £2.50 not £1.50

That's because the surcharge on the current line-up of products is £2.50 rather than £1.50
Quote from: irritablegit
b) the Unlimited contract would have to be a NEW 18month contract ?

It's a new contract.
Quote from: irritablegit
Oddly, it shows the speed as 76 not 64  (76 is what I actually get now), so I'm ot sure where the 64 comes from.

An old estimate probably. They can change from time to time.
Quote from: irritablegit
So, it would be cheaper to stay and pay the extra £1.50 - and definitely cheaper not to take the phone package

If you took phone you'd continue paying £19.99, whether you choose to stay where you are or move to Unlimited.
Quote from: The
Have emails stopped being sent out as not received anything?

We won't have sent any over the bank holiday.
Quote from: The
I am on LRS from end of last year with Unlimited and trying to find out what, if any, increases I will incur.

Probably best to wait for your email however based on what you've said, Anytime will increase from £4.00/mnth to £4.50/mnth and LRS renewal after October 1st will increase from £125.88 to £137.88. Your broadband subscription cost will remain unchanged.
Quote from: billnotben
I'm not asking for when the prices will rise but when is the next price review planned?

Nothing is planned for the next quarter or two. I guess it would make sense to review things at the end of the fiscal year/start of the next.
Quote from: disallusioned
Just received message that broadband charge is going up by 23%!!!!!!!!!!? How can this be justified???

Looks like you could probably save a bit of money by moving your phone service to us and switching to Essentials. I'm guessing there's a reason why you don't want to do this?

Bob Pullen
Plusnet Product Team
If I've been helpful then please give thanks ⤵

VileReynard
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Re: Pricing/Terms changes - October 2013

What is the current policy on downgrading an account to "dial-up" to allow access to email with regard to costs etc?
Would this allow a customer to move their broadband to another ISP?

"In The Beginning Was The Word, And The Word Was Aardvark."

trevorc
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: ‎27-08-2013

Re: Pricing/Terms changes - October 2013

Not a great way to treat a longstanding customer of many years, who has experienced periods of interrupted service recently, for a number of hours each time.  Embarrassed The message seems to be that Plusnet does not value customers on the value package. Sure, the cost is reduced by 50p per month if I take up the phone line option as well but why should I be compelled to do so, or otherwise accept the £1.50 per month increase? And there is probably a minimum term contract of at least 12 months that goes with the switch.
Plusnet has been working hard to gain new customers recently with half price offers, which may be at the expense of losing loyal customers like myself through the intended changes, in a very competitive market. I can understand the logic for new customers, to incentivise them to take the phone line rental with the broadband, but Plusnet should have left "old" customers alone, or if anything, rewarded them for their loyalty.   
What rubs it in is the intended cancellation notice period being extended, which is a way of saying that if you are going to cancel or switch, then do it quickly.
I'd always thought of Plusnet as a friendly, fair and unaggressive broadband provider, which was part of the appeal. Sadly it seems that they have decided to become just like any other broadband provider. I may be wrong but I suspect that longer term this will not have been a good move by Plusnet.     
VileReynard
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Re: Pricing/Terms changes - October 2013

Just came across this:
Quote
PlusNet just wants to be loved - again
The long and winding road back
Beleaguered ISP PlusNet is attempting a comeback with a suite of new deals, backed by its new owner BT.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/04/13/plusnet_comeback_packages/
Or perhaps http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/08/08/lee_strafford_email/
These both seem to be stories about where Plusnet mistreats its customers
and then has to furiously back-pedal to regain market share.
Is it true that
Quote
"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to relive it"?

"In The Beginning Was The Word, And The Word Was Aardvark."

x47c
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Re: Pricing/Terms changes - October 2013

Quote from: trevorc
I'd always thought of Plusnet as a friendly, fair and unaggressive broadband provider, which was part of the appeal. Sadly it seems that they have decided to become just like any other broadband provider. I may be wrong but I suspect that longer term this will not have been a good move by Plusnet.      

I suppose broadband has now just become a mass market consumer product.
I've no idea how big a % of the UK population has got BB who can get it but we must be reaching near saturation point.
Once that % gets high then there are in effect no 'brand new customers' who have never had BB for any ISP.
So the only way to get more customers and grow the business is via churn - ie you pinch them from elsewhere either via a better deal or because they had enough of their ISP and are prepared to jump ship to you.
So the result is that you have to put out enticing 'cheap for 6 months' sortof deals for these potential customers
Existing customers can go swivel....because just like the banking sector and accounts which expire are a year they know the majority will not move for various reasons including "can't be arrrrsed" and "have more important things to worry about".
Those who are prepared to jump from isp to isp will always get thebest deal - but of course just like moving your money from bank to bank in search of higher rates this all takes a lot of time and effort and it all depends on how you cost up your time vs benefit obtained from moving.
trevorc
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: ‎27-08-2013

Re: Pricing/Terms changes - October 2013

"Those who are prepared to jump from isp to isp will always get thebest deal - but of course just like moving your money from bank to bank in search of higher rates this all takes a lot of time and effort and it all depends on how you cost up your time vs benefit obtained from moving."
True but occasionally an organisation will do something to provoke loyal customers which acts as a catalyst to explore making an intended one-off change. If that is considered to be an acceptable "churn" then I'd like to understand the rationale behind the business strategy. It is probably based on the majority doing nothing and paying the extra, or switching to the PlusNet phone line rental, as a net gain against a minority of lost customers. If that should be the case, then it will be deemed a commercial success, regardless of the ethics or principles. However, PlusNet should then giive up the pretence of being a "friendly" broadband provider in their advertising, and be just like Talk Talk, Sky, Virgin, or BT, their owner, in how they market themselves.         
bobpullen
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Re: Pricing/Terms changes - October 2013

Quote from: vilefoxdemonofdoom
What is the current policy on downgrading an account to "dial-up" to allow access to email with regard to costs etc?

If you don't mind losing the ability to send via our servers then this should be possible on a non-subscription basis. I think the official line is to pay ~£1/mnth for a mail only account that allows SMTP auth off the network though.
Quote from: trevorc
Sure, the cost is reduced by 50p per month if I take up the phone line option as well but why should I be compelled to do so, or otherwise accept the £1.50 per month increase? And there is probably a minimum term contract of at least 12 months that goes with the switch.

If you're currently on Value and don't switch to one of the newer broadband products at the same time then there's no 12 month contract. It would just be the 14 day minimum term you'd be subject to.

Bob Pullen
Plusnet Product Team
If I've been helpful then please give thanks ⤵

trevorc
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: ‎27-08-2013

Re: Pricing/Terms changes - October 2013

Quote from: Bob
If you're currently on Value and don't switch to one of the newer broadband products at the same time then there's no 12 month contract. It would just be the 14 day minimum term you'd be subject to.

Yes, it means that I can be on a 14 day minimum term (extended from 10 days) by paying an extra £1.50 per month, or by switching to  "one of the newer broadband products" i.e including phone line rental, for which I will be on a minimum new 12 month contract. New customers get 9 or 6 months broadband at half price, while existing customers get a 50p per month reduction. Or what is effectively a penalty charge of £1.50 per month. It hardly seems fair and sends a message that new customers are valued more highly than existing customers.
It also seems strange that Plusnet want me to switch to them from BT, who are the parent owner of Plusnet. I've been a quietly longstanding customer of both but this intended change has grated on me. I would urge a reconsideration of the strategy by BT and Plusnet before the exodus, which may be from both. (I'd be amazed if many others were not thinking along similar lines).
If I'm going to opt for a package deal then it makes more sense to take advantage of a better offer with competitors as a new customer.
dick:green Quote fixed.   
artmo
Aspiring Champion
Posts: 19,524
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Registered: ‎12-08-2007

Re: Pricing/Terms changes - October 2013

Got my email yesterday.  I will be staying with PN.  It's not worth the change for £1.50.  With my referrals it means my broadband will now be costing me £4.
jelv
Seasoned Hero
Posts: 26,785
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Registered: ‎10-04-2007

Re: Pricing/Terms changes - October 2013

Just got back from a long weekend away and received the email this evening (it looks like it was sent Friday).
When does the 10 days start from?
jelv (a.k.a Spoon Whittler)
   Why I have left Plusnet (warning: long post!)   
Broadband: Andrews & Arnold Home::1 (FTTC 80/20)
Line rental: Pulse 8 Home Line Rental (£14.40/month)
Mobile: iD mobile (£4/month)
bobpullen
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Re: Pricing/Terms changes - October 2013

Quote from: trevorc
Quote from: Bob
If you're currently on Value and don't switch to one of the newer broadband products at the same time then there's no 12 month contract. It would just be the 14 day minimum term you'd be subject to.

Yes, it means that I can be on a 14 day minimum term (extended from 10 days) by paying an extra £1.50 per month, or by switching to  "one of the newer broadband products" i.e including phone line rental, for which I will be on a minimum new 12 month contract.

No, you've misunderstood me. You can move your phone to us /without/ switching to one of the new broadband products. You *won't* pay an extra £1.50 for your broadband subscription and you *won't* be tied to a 12 month contract.
Quote from: jelv
Just got back from a long weekend away and received the email this evening (it looks like it was sent Friday).

Glad to hear it's turned up.
Quote from: jelv
When does the 10 days start from?

Technically on Friday, although if there are mitigating circumstances (like being on holiday for example), then I'm sure we can be a little flexible.

Bob Pullen
Plusnet Product Team
If I've been helpful then please give thanks ⤵

The_10th
Grafter
Posts: 1,093
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Registered: ‎08-04-2007

Re: Broadband charge increase

Quote from: Bob

Quote from: The
Have emails stopped being sent out as not received anything?

We won't have sent any over the bank holiday.
Quote from: The
I am on LRS from end of last year with Unlimited and trying to find out what, if any, increases I will incur.

Probably best to wait for your email however based on what you've said, Anytime will increase from £4.00/mnth to £4.50/mnth and LRS renewal after October 1st will increase from £125.88 to £137.88. Your broadband subscription cost will remain unchanged.

Still no email received and time is moving on. Only stumbled across this potential price rise by chance so not receiving email still is poor customer service.
technonath
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Re: Pricing/Terms changes - October 2013

I am not impressed,  i have only just got the email,  other customers have had a month more notice than i have,  and i am now being rushed into having to make a hasty move away.
Plusnet have become as confusing with their t&c's and money grabbing as their parent company,  this is all designed to force me in to moving my phone service and I am not playing this game. I don't use my landline at all,  so no point in moving it. If I could get broadband without a landline i would. I will be calling in the morning for my MAC code. 
I hope you lose lots of other customers too and go out of business now,  because you are no longer the caring ISP you claim to be.
Oldjim
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Re: Pricing/Terms changes - October 2013

You have exactly the same notice as everyone else - 10 days from receipt of the email to advise that you don't accept the changes
Once you advise that you do not accept the new changes within the 10 day window you have the same 30 day MAC validity as everyone else
The fact that it has been covered on the various forums for a while is not relevant