BT Essentials Price Increase.

[LINLIN56]

On the 26th January 2024 I took up the offer of BT Essentials at a monthly price of £23.00. Yet on the 5th February I received an email saying my monthly bill would be £26.99. Tried telephoning BT to enquire as to the sudden price increase but could not get through. Anybody know why this change in price has occurred so suddenly?

[LINLIN56]

Monthly charges for this order Broadband Package Download the MyBT App; find out how at  £31.99 Special offer discount Your special offer discount lasts for 24 months -£5.00 Total monthly charges £26.99

This is a part of the email I received concerning the £26.99 bill.......

[cooldude2024]

From last week in January onwards BT agents have told me minimum price is now £26.99.

[Madpeter]

you dont appear to be on

https://www.bt.com/broadband/home-essentials

that does not have the cpi price change each year.

if you do qualify for it try giving them a call again and move over to that package.

[rbz5416]

This is a perfect example of the utter stupidity of applying the same "Essential" name to different products.

So did you sign up to the social tariff Home Essential or the regular Fibre Essential?

[LINLIN56]

No stupidity on my part whatsoever....    I made it clear that I wanted the £23.00 monthly package when I applied over the telephone.  My national insurance number and all relevant details were provided and was informed that the monthly bill would be £23.00 monthly with no increase for 12 months.   The call was recorded on several machines!

I later made a complaint and spoke to an adviser who said the matter would be rectified as soon as possible concerning my order.  It was not rectified.   The only stupidity here is your post which is of no help.

A transcript of my telephone conversations will be sent to BT.

[LINLIN56]

So did you sign up to the social tariff Home Essential or the regular Fibre Essential? 

  I signed up for the Home Essential package.    I record all my telephone calls on several machines!

[LINLIN56]

you dont appear to be on

https://www.bt.com/broadband/home-essentials

that does not have the cpi price change each year.

if you do qualify for it try giving them a call again and move over to that package.

Thank you for your reply.   Yes, I signed up for the "home essentials" package and provided all the details such as NI number and was told the total cost would be £23,00 monthly.   I record all my telephone calls!  I spoke with the complaints department who said they were sorry about the mistake and that I would be put on the home essentials package for £23,00 monthly.  I thereafter received an email saying my bill would be £26.99 monthly!

I was informed during my initial telephone application that I definitely qualified for the home essentials package but...... 

[imjolly]

the £23 monthly package is broadband only so are you also getting home phone connection with ability to make/receive phone calls?

[LINLIN56 · Accepted solution]

After almost an hour-long conversation with Customer Services the correct order for “home essentials” was placed. It appears that a gremlin got in the system and messed things up. I am sure that this is a rare occurrence with BT. I was positive that I ordered he correct package some weeks ago and this has now been resolved. I am grateful for the replies to my original post, other than the stupid comments of one in particular! There is always one as the saying goes! My post are intended to help others who might be experiencing a similar problem.