Yes. Two different issues though.

If you just wanted to cancel because of a better deal elsewhere, you can't do that if you had already agreed (in whatever form) to a contract term, until the contract ends or you pay a cancellation fee.

If you wanted to cancel because of poor service, you need to give them a chance to put things right and, if they don't, you can then cancel but often not without an argument. I agree 100% that phone calls are not the best way to communicate when there's a problem but if you mention the times and dates of phone calls in later written correspondence, it makes it harder for the supplier to pretend that, because they can't find a record of the calls, they don't count for anything.

If you are receiving a service from BT, and that service is not satisfactory (slow speeds, multiple disconnections etc) then you need to keep a detailed diary, and email (and copy to your file) every instance. Do not telephone your complaints - these calls often 'mysteriously' do not get logged or recorded.

I did this a few years ago, and BT eventually relented and gave me lots of free month refunds as compensation. They accepted that the terms of the contract were not being met.

Hello. I have exactly the same problem. A contract with BT and I want to leave to get Sky. People in Sky told me that BT cannot charge me any cancellation fees when the contract was renewed over the phone, but from what I read here, it seems like they can, right? Paulbeswick, I was wondering if you had any developments in this case.

It really annoys me to have pay a lot more to BT than Sky for a lousy Internet connection and no TV included in the deal. Shouldn't we also have a saying in the contract? I mean, is BT allowed not to let anyone cancel their contract, and still provide such an awful service? We've been complaining for months now and they can't solve our problem. Our internet connection is incredibly slow! Is it legal that they charge us for a service that is not what we agreed for and we still have to pay until the end of the contract?

gizmobabe:

you will have received a letter detailing your contract.

That is not the same as agreeing to the details though.

12 month contracts are more common than 18 month contracts.

Unless op actually agreed, in one form or another, to the contract lasting 18 months, then he cannot be held liable until August. Some contracts are for 12 months and then roll on on 30 day notice after than, other contracts need renewing every 12 months. If BT are only saying now that it is an 18 month contract, then that is not acceptable. The term should have been stated and agreed at the outset otherwise it is unenforceable.

For a contract to be valid, it must be agreed, in one form or another, by both sides. If the 18 month term was agreed, then a cancellation fee should be paid. If it wasn't agreed, the fee should not be paid.

legally they need to have quoted the distance selling regulation to you, which states you agree to the contract and if you cancel whilst you are still in term you will have cancellation charges. and as a previous poster has said you will have received a letter detailing your contract. also ALL broadband suppliers tie you into a contract.

not what you wanted to hear but there is no getting out of it.

this would have been explained during the original Call. All calls are verbal Contracts and are legally binding. You would have been told over the phone (if not in small cases) you would have recived a confirmation letter and then, Upon activating your BTBroadband you would have had to click [x] a check box to Accept the Terms and Conditions. Highly unlikly that this can be cancelled without any dropout charges

Rob.

lou4dee:verbal contracts are binding with all companies and you will have to pay the early termination charges which are based on the number of months left in your contract without doubt i work for bt i know how it goes!

Yes, verbal contracts are binding but if the verbal agreement was simply "yes, I'll sign up for your broadband package" then any unmentioned terms and conditions have not been agreed to and are unenforceable. I do not doubt that BT will "insist" that the payments are made but if they asked me for any unreasonable amounts that I had not agreed to, I would simply say "take me to court" to let a magistrate decide.

verbal contracts are binding with all companies and you will have to pay the early termination charges which are based on the number of months left in your contract without doubt i work for bt i know how it goes!

thats cool i dont recall anything like that in our conversation when i took the broadband out

i will request the tapes of the recording if they carry it on

Bt calls are all recorded, you wouldnt have much of a leg to stand on to be honest.

Verbal contracts are binding. What is not binding is a book full of terms and conditions that you have not signed or been given an oportunity to accept or reject. If they said on the phone that it was an 18 month contract with a £x early cancellation fee, and you said "fine" then that is what you've agreed to.

If they just said do you want our premier broadband service and you said "yes" without mentioning a cancellation fee, notice period or a contract term, then you should dispute any cancellation fees.

That old chessnut ay...

I have just had a very interesting conversation with BT, i requested my MAC CODE as i am changing to sky broadband phone and tele, they told me i would have a cancellation fee as my contract dosnt expire till august, i dont remember being told i was entering into an 18 month contract or anything like that.

What can be done or said to get them to forget the charges?

Is it true that a verbal contract means nothing in court?