NO STARS - But it won't let me do none! (BT)

Member Name: TJ9000

Product:	BT
Date:	10/06/09 (42 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: NEVER FOUND THAT OUT!

Disadvantages: Don't even get me started again!

A downright lack of communication from a communications company!

I am very glad I am not the only one who has had problems with BT. I moved about a year ago now and had had Virgin Media in my old property. I fancied a change and liked the adverts that BT were doing so I thought I would give them a go. Phoned them, from my mobile (not free) and eventually got through to speak to someone about my line (already in property) being connected. I did explain that the line inside the property would need fixing as my lovely puppy had decided to rip out cables and the box! Was assured that this was no problem, that an engineer could attend and do the neccesary repairs and it would be included in the connection fee of about £130 for a new customer. Asked about Broadband also so it was all arranged that an engineer would attend on the said day (I booked the day off work) that a phone and the broadband hub thing would be delivered on the same day (they needed a signature) and I went away happy thinking I'd be connected very soon! The day came and I rung in the morning to narrow down the time of the engineers visit, I was told I was on his morning list so I pottered around waiting. It got to about 2pm and I rung again, bearing in mind each time I did I was put on hold and passed around from department to department, explaining to everyone that an engineer had been arranged to repair damaged cables INSIDE the property. Think I was on hold and passed around for a total of 55 mins on this occcasion - all mounts up on a mobile! Again I was told that the engineer was booked, should have already been etc. Waited until 6pm and rung again, no delivery had been made, no engineer had attended and I had booked time off work especially. After being passed from pillar to post again I was eventually told that an engineer had been and checked the line! I was confused, said that no-one had been round I had waited all day etc. I was then told that he hadn't needed to come round but had checked the line and all was ok! How could everything be ok when I have no phone or working line inside the property I asked? I went through the same stuff again, explening yet again that an engineer had been booked to REPAIR some damage to the box and cable INSIDE the property! I was then passed to another department who asked me when I wanted to book an engineer to attend!!! I was losing my patience by this time, had been cut off about 3 times and having to go through the same process each time when ringing back! The end of it came when I said just don't bother. I don't want an engineer, I don't want any service from BT. I then decided to write a lengthy letter of complaint to them telling them to check their phone calls and the way I was dealt with and the incompetance of their staff and lack of communication. Really went off on one and said I would never recommend them to anyone else etc etc. Received no reply and no apology but a month later received a bill for my first months 'service' from BT. Including the charge for connection! Back on the phone I went, again passed around and cut off and eventually got through to someone who was very apologetic at the ridiculous scenario and it turns out that no-one cancelled anything! I then obviously said that I had received no service, had no line or phone so how could something that wasn't supplied need to be cancelled. It was left that I was very unhappy and I wrote yet another lengthy letter of complait! Again received no reply, confirmation of receipt or anything. But then a red reminder for the first months bill!! And then a bill for over £300 which apparently was the charge for cancelling the service with them!! You guessed it, another letter I did write! Another reminder I did receive! And then quite a threatening letter saying they would pass it to a debt collection agency, which they did!
My arguement being all along that nothing had been signed, they failed on their side of any agreement by not supplying an engineer, I never had any service from them or any goods so how the hell could they charge me for cancelling something I never received.

I spoke to the debt collection agency, told them that no payment would be made, wished them luck in actually getting that point across as I had failed with numerous letters and phone calls and never heard anything since.
I haven't however checked my credit report as to whether that has gone down against me or whether it has been wiped!

Be warned! They are lovely if they think they are getting another mug signed up but totally ignore you if you become a 'problem'!!

Summary: Ha ha ha!! A complete joke of a company!