End of contract options

[#1]

I know my options, but my Octogenarian father is coming to the end of his plan in mid- December (I am named on his account). Out of contract is a whopping £55 a month ( near enough). I fail to see how a 100% increase can be justified, but I know that how out of contract works.

In his offers was a a £23.50pm option upgrade. Clicking in that link however wouldn't give him that offer, on a £26pm offer. He is now considering leaving (selfishly I don't want him to as it will be a nightmare for me, with him being 125 miles away). He wants to be able to keep his landline, which is an issue as PN don't support digital voice. He would ring PN as a last resort, but he does have difficulty hearing on the phone, and in the past, staff have spoken too quickly for him to understand, even though there were notes on his account.

I am meandering now, but problem: Offer in My Account not available. Solution: Ability to access this promotion somehow please, preferably not by phone and delay in move to DV.

Should also add, only FTTC is available currently, and speeds max out at about 10MB. Not even Sky will offer him a broadband service!

Thanks

Mark

[#2]

Phone up and see if a contract renewal on the copper service is possible ASAP.

The high price of the service out of contract (actually the loss of a "discount") is to encourage people to be in contract but does have the effect of "price gouging" the less able and those where a contract period is not practical.

If it's not possible then in your position I would get the BT/EE service.

The migration will be mildly painful at a distance but it's probably the safest option.

There are lots of other techical possibilities but the BT apprach is probably the least disruptive for someone who won't take well to change.

[#3]

P.S. If you are named on the account I expect Plusnet will be able to take a renewal instruction from you on the phone.

[#4]

I know all the discount deals and stuff Mark, and it is understandable to me. My Dad on the other hand still thinks he gets the best deal renewing with his existing insurer!! Old habits d!e hard for the older generation when loyalty meant something.

He did talk about moving to EE, but was shocked when he found out they are really BT. He doesn't want to go to BT, although I feel these 2 are the only option for him to keep a landline, i'm not going down the route of porting the number out to VOIP for him. I use an app for mine, so don't want to learn the configuration of an adaptor.

I would ring up, but have to give Dad a chance to sort his own affairs before I "interfere". He would have gone for the offer in his Account, but it isn't available, and that is the crux of the grumble. Why advertise something and not honour it?

Things may be clearer when I speak to him again at the weekend.

Mark

(How do you mention multiple dice in the forum if the multiple word is a banned word?)

[#5]

@Marksfish 

Phone the PlusNet Customer Options Team on 0800 013 2632 to find out the possibilities for your fathers account.

Your father will have to move to a VOIP service of some sort in the relatively near future. Going to an ISP who does both is the easy option as they will provide the equipment necessary. Note thougn VOIOP doesn't work during power cuts if it's a lifeline.

Does your father use PN email as any email address would be lost on moving unless already migrated to Greenby.

As it's an end of contract move consider Zen Internet for the combined service. Although perhaps not the cheapest they have a good reputation and their router has a phone port.

Brian

[#6]

I do realise all the points above, but I also do have to allow my Dad a chance to look after his own affairs, without being seen as interfering. I did say:

"He would ring PN as a last resort, but he does have difficulty hearing on the phone, and in the past, staff have spoken too quickly for him to understand, even though there were notes on his account."

This may well be the route he has to take, but I wouldn't trust him to hear everything he is being told and could be pressured into signing up to something there and then. 

He only uses internet, so no other ISP's add ons would be of interest to him and no PN add ons are in use except the included anytime calls package.

Thanks though

Mark

[#7]

@Marksfish 

As I understand things as a named person on the account you can speak to PN about it on your own. Your father only needs to be in on the call if a contract change is being made.

As to your father making the choices you could do the reasearch on the in's and outs of changing ISP to one who does both or staying with PN and moving to an independant VOIP provider.

Once researched sit down with him and discuss his options and let him make the choice. Given the circumstances I think the change of ISP option is probably the better option. Apart from Zen Internet there are others to look at.

Given your fathers age and hearing difficulties you may be able to get a power back up unit supplied FOC.

Brian