Downgrading my BT package, well trying to...

[Kimberlin]

@Skentleberry 

It’s worth pointing out that if you are out of the usual 24 month contract with BT and are now on monthly rolling contract, you can easily switch to EE (or most other ISP’s) using One Touch Switching without even getting into a conversation with BT.  That way, you can pick the plan you want without any of the hassle.

If BT won’t play ball, just go elsewhere. You shouldn’t have to waste precious minutes, hours, days of your life waiting for your ISP to get their act together.

[Skentleberry]

@Kimberlin
I'm out of contract in January so will follow your advice thanks.
It just seems ludicrous and it's extremely frustrating that BT don't allow a downgrade to be processed while 'in' contract. They don't even have a competitive offer! Have they not realised the monopoly they had has long since expired.

[Kimberlin]

@Skentleberry 

One could be forgiven for believing that all ISP’s make it deliberately inconvenient for the customer to get a better deal once an initial 12/24 month contract comes to an end. You are expected to make sometimes an extraordinary effort to haggle and push for a better deal akin to what a new customer would get should you want to stay with your existing ISP.

Quite frankly, unless you’ve not got much going on in your life, who has got the time to talk with a retention team member for ages? One Touch Switching, despite the stories of doom some like to espouse, is a major step forward in avoiding all that unnecessary dialogue. I get it, some customers don’t mind negotiating, but some of us don’t. Then there’s the folks who are happy to spend decades with the same provider or do so out of sheer convenience.

It’s all about choice at the end of the day. Good luck with whatever you decide 👍

[gg30340]

You should be able to enter into a new contract if you are in the last month of your present Fixed Term Contract.

The sales rep will no doubt try to keep you on your present package rather than "downgrading" you to a less expensive package but if you stand your ground they should be able to do it. 

If for any reason they do not let you downgrade ask to be put through to the BT Retentions Department or call them on 0800.783.1401 

Unlike what some like to espouse, there is no need for you to make an "extraordinary effort to haggle and push for a better deal".

All you do is ask them what is the best deal they can offer you for the package you want in order to keep you as a customer and if you do not like that offer you just walk away and switch to another provider. It should take no more than five or ten minutes of your time which is about the same amount of time it will take you to switch providers.

Before calling check out what other ISPs are offering and don't be fooled by the first price you see unless you are happy it is 100% like for like. Some packages offer less "extras" than others.

You should also be aware that if you leave BT and you are presently using a BTMail email address this will be downgraded to a BTMail Basic email account which can only be used with a web browser and not with an email client or email app such as you might be using on a mobile device unless you move to a BT Premium email account at £7.50 a month.