Is this contract illeagl?

[kevb0444]

Hi all. A few months ago my GF sined up to NTL via their website and took advantage of offers they had on there. The sign up went through fine and everything was ok untill she got her first bill.
On the bill she noticed they had changed her package deals to a different one to what she signed up to, and was more expensive. She phoned NTL who told her she couldn't have the deals she signed up to so they changed her package for her (without telling her) She said she wasn't happy about this and wanted to cancel everything with NTL. She was then told that as 30 days had past since signing to NTL she was now locked into a 12 month contract.
They've now cut off her phone as she won't pay the huge bill they've sent her and are not replying to any of her letters (6 sent in total to 3 seperate NTL addresses). I've spoke to T.Standards, OFCOM and OTELO but none can help untill she's gone through NTL's own complaints proceedure, which is imposible as she can't speak to NTL as her phones cut off, nor are they replying to her letters.
Is there anything she/we can do in the meantime?

Thanks in advance

Kev

[dot.hawkes]

go to the local library and use their free internet service, get on NTL's website and email them and send copies to OFCOM and OTELO and tell them in the email tha is what she is doing, then give them an ultimatum and a contact phone number, a mobile if necessary and warn them they are in breach of the original contrcat and ask for a transcript of the original conversation she had when they set up her account.

[kevb0444]

Hi dot.
She emailed NTL this morning (basicly cut and pasted from her 1st 2 letters plus extra gripe added to the end) and has an automated reply in her in-box from NTL which includeds a copy of what she wrote to them.
I'll get her to send emails to OFCOM and OTELO asap.
There was no conversation when she signed up as it was all done on the via there website. I geuss they should have deatils of what she signed up for in their records somewhere.

[Whickerman]

Here's a copy of the best complaint letter ever - sent to NTL some time back.

http://www.pureesoiree.be/forum/topic.do?id=70 605

[dot.hawkes]

I am sure I wrote that letter to talk talk, tut, nust have got their name wrong lol

[Playbill]

My broadband connection failed last Sunday (13th Aug).
To send this message I am using my son's laptop that seems to have picked a signal from somewhere.
My ISP, who I will not slag off yet, has kept me on the phone for about 80 -90 minutes up till now with various calls. They now say it is the BT line at fault and they have informed BT.
I just wonder how long it is before I send a copy of that letter to both my ISP and BT. Also, am I entitled to any compensation for loss off service?

[Kathyan]

We used to have tv, telephone and broadband with ntl. Their customer service is non-existant. They are happy to take your hard earned cash but do nothing in return. It took 9 phone calls and three weeks to get our phone number changed and about the same to have call barring added to our account. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone, ever. We have now returned to BT and they cannot be more helpful.

[imajenarry]

agree with kathyann.tried to stop our services with ntl when we moved house last year.never imagined it would've been so difficult.ntl continued to charge us for four months after and it was another couple of months before they refunded us these charges after many long phone calls to them.one in which after explaining the whole situation once again to someone seemed to be getting somewhere,they put me on hold for ages then i got "hello ntl can i help you"from someone new. had to go thru it all again....exasperated!!!! they have good deals but would NEVER go back to them!

[kevb0444]

Hi all.
Thanks for the great replies (loved the post from whickerman) but was wondering what to do or if there is any imediate advice anyone could give. I thought AOHELL were bad when it came to complaints but (being on NTL myself) didn't think NTL would be such a pain in the **** and do such a sneaky (poss illegal) thing like that.
Personaly i've never had trouble with them, but got worried when they merged with telewest and changed there customer service to an 0845. Strange realy as when they were free, they were alright. Now you have to pay and they're ****.
After all this hassel i'm thinking of changing from NTL when the time comes (when my contract runs out in about 3 months).

[Rock'n'Roll]

I can't see that being legal. It would be great way to make money,get lots of people to sign for a package at,say, �5 then tell them they couldn't have it,they have to have the one at a tenner. I'm sure trading standards or some such organisation would have something to say. A SCAM may be too strong a word,but it sure sounds close

[joko]

just ignore them back!

don't pay and get a new line installed from bt or whatever.

send all mail back to them unopened.

[yummymummy]

Have a look at www.ntlhell.co.uk
Found it useful myself, managed to get area manager contact details who sorted me out.