Don't go there! (BT Cellnet Tariffs)

Member Name: Sallys

Product:	BT Cellnet Tariffs
Date:	17/05/02 (91 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good Signal

Disadvantages: Disgusting Service

I bought myself a mobile phone in September 2000 and, due to my limited budget opted for the 'Cellnet Pay & Go' option with C12 handset. I can't remember the exact cost but it was around £80, which even today I think is good value. What made it better value was the free best friend number. This means you can make unlimited call to one UK landline telephone number and it won't cost you anything. The only condition of purchase was that you had credit your phone with £15 every 12 weeks.

Of course what I forgot in my mobile buying frenzy is that Cellnet = BT, and having had numerous problems with BT at work & home (to numerous to mention here) I should have known to stay well clear.

As I say I bought a Philips C12 handset. It's not the funkiest looking thing being back and not that slim-line but, it's has easy to follow menu's & is simple to use. It must be easy to use as my technophobe mother whom has the same model as me can even send a text message!

At first I was quite happy, the top-up procedure worked (or so I thought), the signal was in most area's pretty strong, even in the back of beyond where I work & the call's sounded crystal clear.

However.....

The major problem with this network is it's abysmal customer service. For starters BT charge you for any calls made to their customer service department (about 15p per minute) when 99% of the time you are ringing to complain about their service!!

My major problems have arisen from topping-up my mobile phone up. As I mentioned at the start of this review my budget is limited however I do make sure I top up £10 every month, which, means I top up £15 over the minimum rate. On 6 occasions (5 within the last year) I have suddenly gone to make a call on my phone only to hear the message "Your phone has been barred as you have not topped up sufficient funds within the set period". A message that made me feel like a 2n
d class citizen. This leaves you not being able to make any calls including most worryingly I think being able to dial 999. The only number you can phone is - BT Customer Services. When you eventually get through which can be as long as 20 minutes (£3 call time) you are greeted with BT's usual inefficient team, whom I find surly, rude and do not seem to know the meaning of the word 'Sorry'. On every occasion my phone has been barred it has been a 'computer error' Cellnet's end. End of story? Afraid not. Each time it has taken Cellnet 2 DAYS to lift the call barring from my phone. Even when I point out that it's their fault I get the response 'Nothing we can do about it'. Frustrating beyond belief.

With BT's appalling service I'm amazed that they are still in business. They certainly don't deserve to be.

MORAL OF THIS STORY ~ USE A DIFFERENT PROVIDER!!!!

Summary: