VAT Increase & Price Changes - January 2011

[#1]

I think it is because the haven't decided yet and keeping their options open.

[#2]

Regarding the £5 price increase on "Broadband Unlimited" legacy package, I wonder if posts regarding this change should be split off onto another thread? They seem to be getting lost among the many more posts about the changes to home phone package prices.  Not all of my various questions in my original post have been answered.  I notice that the moderators have locked a previous attempt to split this thread, and merged it with this: could this be re-opened please?

[#3]

Snozboz, I was just thinking the very same thing!
I don't have a 'phone package from PN, I'm now very glad to say. The £60 a year hike in unlimited will hit me like a brick though!
I'm utterly disgusted with PN right now, and it's just cost them one customer. My parents were about to switch from their useless Sky package at my suggestion; not any more.

[#4]

My remaining questions about the price increase to "Unlimited", and the suggested move to "Extra":
1) I've used the Plusnet Usergroup Comparison Tool http://usergroup.plus.net/prodcomp2.php to compare "Broadband Unlimited" with "Plusnet Extra" - is this kept up to date, and is it considered "canon" by Plusnet, or is it "just" a usergroup thing that should not be taken as official?
2) This tool doesn't show the differences in features or contracts between products.  What are the differences?  Looking at the support page for "Unlimited" and the page about "Extra" leaves me in the dark - it's so difficult to compare like with like.
3) I had a free house move in February 2010, so have a £65 deferred payment on my account until February 2011.  Does changing package to "Extra" affect this?  For instance, if I changed to "Extra" now, then decided in February 2011 to leave Plusnet and go to Virgin Media broadband, would I face any problems other than the £25 cessation charge placed by BT Wholesale?
4) If I do change to "Extra", will this force a change onto ADSL2+?  I get around 3200kbps download speed, which I understand is too low for ADSL2+ to make much of an improvement on.  A friend of mine, in common with various people on these forums, has had major problems with broadband speed caused by the move to ADSL2+ or 21CN.  Can I opt out?

[#5]

Taking your questions in turn.
1. Yes it is up to date but you can check the numbers on the Plusnet website as well.
http://www.plus.net/support/broadband/speed_guide/download_speeds.shtml#extraSpeeds
http://www.plus.net/support/broadband/products/archive/plusnet_unlimited_archive.shtml#downloadSpeed...
2. There is no difference in the contract
3. Changing package has no effect on deferred costs
4. The change to ADSL2+ is optional - staying on ADSL1 is quite possible in fact I think you may need to request the change to ADSL2+ or else it won't happen
Regarding 21CN whether you get moved to that or not isn't affected by the product you are on

[#6]

Quote from: snozboz

Regarding the £5 price increase on "Broadband Unlimited" legacy package, I wonder if posts regarding this change should be split off onto another thread? They seem to be getting lost among the many more posts about the changes to home phone package prices.  Not all of my various questions in my original post have been answered.  I notice that the moderators have locked a previous attempt to split this thread, and merged it with this: could this be re-opened please?

Yes, yes. My issue is easy for plusnet to explain I think, I'm guessing if I went onto this 'Extra' thing my monthly charge would go down a little? I certainly don't want to pay £5 a month more, roughly a 30% increase (not explained why it's such a big increase).  I'm on 'Unlimited' with no phone.

[#7]

Quote from: A

Why do Plusnet say the cost of my "Extra" broadband won't go up before 2012? If they mean "never", why not say so? If they mean it increases in 2012 why not tell me now so I can happily spend a whole year looking for the best deal?

because they said earlier on this year when they were going to fix the price for 12 month, that isnt up yet

[#8]

Quote from: Lolaan

On the email I've received, it is stated that the charge is to cover the extra cost of processing card payments, and not to specifically cover for card payments failures.

Indeed not, but dealing with failures to pay are part of the overall processing costs.

[#9]

I've just found out that Be is now available at my exchange, so guess what PN can do with their outrageous £60 increase, lol.

[#10]

make sure it the LLU variety, as the other one has a bit of a bad name

[#11]

Can someone tell me how direct debits work with plusnet?
I've always used a credit card.
According to the Direct debit guarantee, variable amounts are supposed to be notified 10 working days before the debit is actioned.
With Home Phone, my bill is always different.
Will my billing date be put back to give me the required notice?

[#12]

Quote from: theoule

... According to the Direct debit guarantee, variable amounts are supposed to be notified 10 working days before the debit is actioned. ....

[quote=http://www.bacs.co.uk/Bacs/Businesses/DirectDebit/PayingBy/Pages/YourRights.aspx]If the amounts to be paid or the payment dates change, the organisation collecting the payment will notify you normally 10 working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed
The number of days is actually up to the claiming company and is stated  as part of the DD Guarantee that they supply to the customer. In Plusnets case this is 3 working days! This is too late for Plusnet to make any changes to the claim if the amount is wrong, but you can get an instant refund from your bank.
[Quote=Plusnet Version]The Direct Debit Guarantee

• This Guarantee is offered by all Banks and Building Societies that take part in the Direct Debit Scheme.
  The efficiency and security of the Scheme is monitored and protected by your own Bank or Building Society.


• If the amounts to be paid or the payment dates change Plusnet plc. will notify you 3 working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed.


• If an error is made by Plusnet plc. or your Bank or Building Society, you are guaranteed a full and immediate refund from the branch of the amount paid. You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by writing to your Bank or Building Society.
  Please also send a copy of this letter to us.

[#13]

I personally don't understand why so many people have a gripe with these changes!
Looking at the numbers it is simple to work out that I stand to save a little money here, Even after the increase in VAT.
My current package is;
Value Broadband                    £5.99
Talk Anytime Call Plan         £5.00
Home Phone Line Rental        £11.25
Total  Cost                            £22.24
After January 4th 2011 this will be;
Value Broadband                    £5.99
Talk Anytime Call Plan         £3.50
Home Phone Line Rental        £11.99
Total Cost for first 3 Months    £17.98
Total Cost After 3 Months        £21.48

[#14]

Everybody's different......my total package has gone up 36% after one month of joining up !!
Lynda~

[#15]

how?