Slow, incompetent, and EXPENSIVE. (btinternet.com)

Member Name: phoenixbbs

Product:	btinternet.com
Date:	11/06/02 (132 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: BT lines only (oops, thats a disadvantage too !)

Disadvantages: expensive, terrible email support, abysmal service levels

I was on BTinternet for over 2 years, and in that time I have seen them reduce their "service levels" quite dramatically.

I was once classified as a "heavy user" and forced to use an alternative dialup number. This number provided you with a TERRIBLE level of service (because they didn`t want you to stay with them). You might note that if you go to their "how to configure your computer manually" they make no mention of their "crap" dialup number - they only mention the "normal" number that works.

General browsing was slow, connecting at all was a virtual miracle (constant redials for ~20+ minutes just to get online, then random and frequent disconnections).

I would NOT recommend BTinternet any more, although I have in the past pointed other users towards them.

One thing in particular that annoyed me - after I left them for AlphaPhe (SUPERB, go with them instead !), my account had changed to pay as you go, yet they sent me a threatening email saying my account was in breach of their terms and conditions.

I refute this entirely. I have not barring rare exceptions (for the last 12-18 months as far as I am aware) been online for more than 4-6 hours per day maximum. They ignore emails and fail to respond to straight questions, like "on what basis did you base this threat ?". They *will* tell you, but only if you PAY THEM for the priviledge.

Their "new" terms and conditions (which have been altered more frequently than any other ISP I can name) state that their "anytime" service is now no longer supposed to be used for more than 12 hours per day (advertising standards complaint on the way !).

Never, ever consider going with them.

If anyone from BTinternet reads this, sue me you shower of barstewards, I want you forced to reveal your evidence for free in court rather than you trying to make me PAY for the "crime"
you are accusing me of. I will happily then show the judge your own tech supports` email saying they don`t mind people downloading the occasional linux ISO etc.

Despite my usage pattern changing considerably, they refused to change me back onto the working dialup number. The nearest I ever got to an explanation was "the decision was made", although they will not say how, when, or why the decision was made.

As an ISP, they are generally incompetent in my experience, support staff prefer to cut and paste answers to questions you did not ask, and they do not seem able to answer emails for at least a week.

Even official complaints via the ISPA have taken over 2 months to get a response - far beyond the 5 day period as specified by the ISPA.

PS: they have also upped their price to £15.99 a month. They are not worth it.

For ~£22 you can get 24/7 broadband from someone like plusnet !

Summary: