Advice on services please

[mcfc2134]

Hi all

My now ex-girlfriend and I moved into a flat in January of this year, and we took out TV, Phone and 1mb Internet all in my name. About 6 weeks ago, I moved out as we both agreed that it wasn't working as well as it had been. Obviously I'm still paying the NTL bill despite not living there so she's getting all of the services for free.

Whilst we still get on enough to be "friends" she doesnt give me any money for the NTL as she said it was my idea, and for her mobile bill (irrelevant to this query - just setting the scene). I spoke to NTL who have advised me to call back at another time as their systems were "half" down so they couldnt look properly into the account. She said as I'm still under contract until Feb 2007 I can't get out of the contract without paying a substantial one off termination charge.

Can anyone on here advise what I should ask for when I call back to get the cheapest possible deal for the remaining few months? I'd ideally like to get rid completely at no cost, but can't see that happening.

Thanks all in advance.

Tim

[Nemesis]

You need to explain that you no longer live at the property, and that you are cancelling the services provided by NTL on that basis.

[mcfc2134]

Simon

Thanks for the quick reply. I did say this to the CS rep but she said as I was still under contract I would have to pay off the remaining term of the contract (at about £35pcm up until Feb 07).

[danielf]

I'm afraid you may end having to pay the termination charge. What you can do is to try and minimise the charge by dropping the services you have to the minimal level.

[fudge]

I dont know i may be wrong but if you drop to a cheaper service wont ntl try saying your 12 months then restarts from the day the new service starts.

[mcfc2134]

Daniel, thats what it looks like to me. Anybody know of the top of their head what the minimum I can ask for is, and the charge?

[brundles]

As well as downgrading the services you might want to ensure that call barrings and PPV barrings are in place if they're not already.

[mcfc2134]

Brundles, I had this on my list of things to check with NTL when I call back, which maybe as late as Friday morning now. Don't want to rack up any more charges - doin me head paying for it as it is.

I read somewhere about free digital tv with the £11pcm phone package. So could I opt for that, plus the broadband at £17.99 for a total of £28pcm? Or can I get cheaper?! Would be good if I could!

[Shaun]

I'd talk nicely to another agent they may look favorably on you if you explain the situation just as you have in the first post.

Also does anyone know if the prices or terms and conditions have changed recently?

In fact I know they have just put the phone charges up - I'm pretty sure that you could cancel that part due to the change. You normally have 30 days.

[danielf]

Originally Posted by Shaun

I'd talk nicely to another agent they may look favorably on you if you explain the situation just as you have in the first post.

Also does anyone know if the prices or terms and conditions have changed recently?

In fact I know they have just put the phone charges up - I'm pretty sure that you could cancel that part due to the change. You normally have 30 days.

Yes, I had forgotten about that. Shaun is right. A price increase entitles you to terminate the contract early. Good call Shaun!

[lauzjp]

I would at least put call-barring on the phone so your ex can't make any phone calls! (Especially that you're paying her mobile too?) And get the tv package changed to the select or base pack - whatever is cheapest. AND make sure there is a password on your ntl account so she can't phone up and get things changed herself.

[mcfc2134]

Originally Posted by danielf

Yes, I had forgotten about that. Shaun is right. A price increase entitles you to terminate the contract early. Good call Shaun!

What would I have to say to do this? Sounds promising! Cheers.

Just really need to get something sorted - we still get on, but I doubt it'd stop her racking up bills on my behalf......

Thanks all once again. Think I need to get back in touch with NTL.

[danielf]

Originally Posted by mcfc2134

What would I have to say to do this? Sounds promising! Cheers.

Just really need to get something sorted - we still get on, but I doubt it'd stop her racking up bills on my behalf......

Thanks all once again. Think I need to get back in touch with NTL.

First you may want to check/have it confirmed that a price increase has taken place. Then you call them up/write to them, saying that as per your contract you wish to terminate the service early in view of their price increase. As per your contract, they have to honour this request.

I don't know if they will let you out of all services (they may only let you out of the phone if this is the only service that has gone up in price), but every little helps I would think. Also, Shaun remarks rightly that if you explain the situation, you might be lucky and find a sympathetic person. So, see what you can get...

[lostandconfused]

can i sugest maybe moving the services to your new adress so at least you can have what you paying for until the contract expires, that assumes that your new adress is servicable though, failing that you would be best on the free tv with the talk weekend call plan on the phone, paying £11.00 per month for the remainder of the contract

[Fingy]

afaik you cannot downgrade to free tv, is it not only currently being offered to new customers? The lowest you could go down to would be the select pack at £16.50.