Plusnet

[Simpo Two]

I use Plusnet for broadband and line rental, and have their unlimited UK and mobile call plan.

I recently renewed my contract, so was annoyed to get an e-mail last week saying they're increasing the cost of the call plan. It's not in the fixed-price part of course, so they can, but I can hardly do anything about it so I have to pay it.

They did the same thing the last time I renewed my contract - adding another £1pcm to the non-fixed bit. The timing is remarkable.

Is Plusnet noted for this or are they all equally bad? It doesn't sit very well with their TV campaign saying how wonderful they are.

[Mr Pointy]

Zen promise no increases for as long as you stay with them.

[PF62]

Simpo Two said:

It's not in the fixed-price part of course, so they can, but I can hardly do anything about it so I have to pay it.

Why not take a look elsewhere and see what others are offering, and if better cancel (as you would be allowed) with Plusnet?

I am with BT and they keep increasing a bit here and a bit there. Everytime I call up to cancel and we agree on a price that is lower than the one they were charging before the price increase.

[21TonyK]

I have the same plan and the same email (+£1 from December).

Total for the month will be £32.99 for 37mb, line rental and UK calls and mobile.

[Simpo Two]

21TonyK said:

I have the same plan and the same email (+£1 from December).

Total for the month will be £32.99 for 37mb, line rental and UK calls and mobile.

And had you just signed up for a new contract or was I just unlucky?

[untakenname]

I flip between Plusnet and BT each time as providers to get the cashback (usually around £60-80).
Plusnet has a pretty good referral scheme, a female I know with some social media presence actually gets paid by Plusnet with her BB as she's generated so many referrals.

[21TonyK]

Simpo Two said:

21TonyK said:

I have the same plan and the same email (+£1 from December).

Total for the month will be £32.99 for 37mb, line rental and UK calls and mobile.

And had you just signed up for a new contract or was I just unlucky?

Changed last month, got first month for £21.99

[Simpo Two]

untakenname said:

I flip between Plusnet and BT each time as providers to get the cashback (usually around £60-80)

My only concern there is the risk of some cock-up meaning my broadband goes down for a week, or I end up paying double for 2-3 months - which happened when I switched from TalkTalk to Plusnet some years ago, Neither company would take responsibility.

Didn't realise there was cashback...

[PF62]

Simpo Two said:

Didn't realise there was cashback...

Oh yes!

Signed up to BT last year and got £150 cash on a Mastercard for an 18 month contract, with the gift designed to subsidise the line rental. Two months later the plonkers put up the price of some obscure number type I would never call, but it gave me 28 days to cancel.

Threatened to do so, and Bob's your uncle, a new far cheaper deal (and an upgrade of speed).

[Simpo Two]

PF62 said:

Signed up to BT last year and got £150 cash on a Mastercard for an 18 month contract, with the gift designed to subsidise the line rental. Two months later the plonkers put up the price of some obscure number type I would never call, but it gave me 28 days to cancel.

Threatened to do so, and Bob's your uncle, a new far cheaper deal (and an upgrade of speed).

Soooo... let me get this right - although I've signed up to a new contract and the cooling off period has expired, the fact they've raised the price of an 'add-on' means I can change provider without penalty?

[PF62]

Simpo Two said:

Soooo... let me get this right - although I've signed up to a new contract and the cooling off period has expired, the fact they've raised the price of an 'add-on' means I can change provider without penalty?

Probably - if you can there will be a statement saying so (but likely to be teeny tiny print, buried away, in light grey on a slightly lighter grey background). If not call and ask.

[Simpo Two]

PF62 said:

Probably - if you can there will be a statement saying so (but likely to be teeny tiny print, buried away, in light grey on a slightly lighter grey background). If not call and ask.

Thanks, I will call them tomorrow and give them a good pasting

[CX53]

Worth noting we changed from BT to Plusnet (who I now realise are the same), and there was absolutely zero interruption during the switch. Went to bed with BT working, woke up to Plusnet.

[megaphone]

Make sure you sign up to a new provider before you cancel with Plusnet, that way you will keep you phone number and ensure the switch goes smoothly.

I switch ISPs every year/18mnths. Never had an issue. When taking cash back into account, I never pay more than £20/m(ish) for BB and phone.

[snuffy]

I got an email from Plusnet yesterday saying mine was going up £2 as well. That makes it £49 for their fastest internet, rental and unlimited calls.

So I've just done the change to Zen (takes 2 weeks it says). £41.50 for the thing as I get with Plusnet, and, as has was said above, the price will never increase. Also their router (Fritz!Box gets very good reviews) and Zen came top of PCPro's ISP poll this month.

[scrw.]

Anyone been caught up in Plusnet's awful billing system yet? I have basic broadband at my work unit and some fast deal at home, as a result of being migrated to a new payment system I haven't been billed correctly for both about a year now. Currently slightly in my favour, I am sure that will change.

[Evanivitch]

Since agreeing a fixed contract in the spring I haven't had a correct billing from Plusnet. Chased in August, one month full discounted, then incorrect billing resumed. Chased mid October, just been wrongly billed, again. Absolute crock of crap.

[MustangGT]

Conversely, I have never had a problem with them in 9 years.