Trying to get a better deal (BT, G.Fast Fibre 100)

[Forumcloud]

I have two BT accounts at two different properties in different parts of the UK. Both my present BT contracts are in contract still. I check MyBT from time to time to see if there is a better offer or interesting upgrade. For one of my two accounts, that is possible. For the other, I simply get the message:

”Hi Jonathan. We can't show you any personalised offers here just now. Give us a call on 0800 085 7344 and we'll find the best deal just for you. We're open 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Saturday and 9am to 6pm Sunday.”

Why is this? I have tried calling and after the representative put me on hold for a while I was told that there was no alternative deal and nothing could be done until I get to within 3 months of renewal. My monthly bill for this account is now about 2/3 more than at my other address so I am keen to recontract at a better price.

Can anyone advise on my best strategy?

[rbz5416]

It seems that pricing can be dynamic, depending on the level of competition. So maybe the one where you were offered a deal has AltNet(s) available & the other doesn't? Or maybe one is nearer renewal than the other.

But it's also possible that it's entirely arbitrary & simply dependent on wind direction, the toss of a coin or the alignment of your star sign when you called...

[gg30340 · Accepted solution]

If you re contract prior to 3 months before your contract ends you you will need to re contract "up" the way, ie pay more for a package or you will be hit with cancellation fees.

You are best to wait until within 3 months of the end date and then call BT and try to negotiate a better deal or down size your package.

Check out what other providers are offering before calling and be prepared to walk away if BT don't offer a deal that you like.

[chrisjp]

It does seem that BT's (and EE's) business model is now more akin to a Market Bazaar or Souk than what was once a respectable company.
Even if you get offered a good deal over the phone, it seems there's no guarantee that you'll actually be charged what you've supposedly agreed to and not quite a bit more, because BT's phone agents seem to be notorious for either getting things wrong or deliberately misrepresenting a "deal" to maximise their commission.
Looking at, and accepting, a deal using My BT over the web within 3 months of the expiration of your existing contract seems to be the safest way to renew. It won't always offer the cheapest deal but is the least risky way of renewing.
I wish it wasn't like this and I wish OFCOM would do more to reign in BT's dodgy commercial practises.

[Colin_London]

The other problem here may be what is mentioned in the title: G.Fast.

It appears that even though Openreach are still supporting G.Fast, BT are no longer selling it.

There may be no deals coming anytime soon, at least until FTTP is available at your address.

[Forumcloud]

You could be right. My G.Fast gives about 147/27 and is stable and reliable. We are on poles and all the streets around us have FTTP except a few poles serving my road and one other - I assume that these are G.Fast-equipped streets. It seems to be impossible to get information on when FTTP is coming - it may be, perhaps, that because have G.Fast we are at the back of the queue. I have contemplated going back to Fibre 2 if they won't move on the G.Fast price. For reference, I have Full Fibre 150 at one address for £30/month and the 150-ish G.Fast with phone service (which I don't want or need) is £50/month at the other.

[Forumcloud]

To be fair to them, chrisjp, I have renegotiated several times over the years and have generally found calling to give the better result. I make them repeat the order as I might a small child in order to ensure that everything is absolutely clear. They send clear confirmations by email. I've not had problems with the process, just the cumulative effect of way-above-inflation price rises. Compound interest has a lot to answer for.

[Colin_London]

I suspect that a renewal deal (only available within 3 months of the end of your current contract) won’t be much different to your current deal. They don’t want to sell G.Fast anymore.

Go to the openreach website and check your address to see if there are any FTTP upgrade plans. I don’t think anyone except Openreach knows whether they are prioritising FTTP for poles previously served by G.Fast - I guess it depends how urgently they want rid of it. But it can’t be that urgent as they still advertise it as a product they support.

in the meantime the only way to get a better deal on price may be to go backwards to Fibre 2.

[Colin_London]

PS. Just checked a relatives address as I know they could get G.Fast. Openreach has the dreaded red status for FTTP which means ‘no plans’, although G.Fast is showing as available. However go to BT.com and only Fibre Essentials, Fibre 1 and Fibre 2 are offered.

I would conclude therefore that people on G.Fast are effectively stranded - the only way they can stay on G.Fast is by changing suppliers to another which still sells it, or by accepting punitive out of contract price hikes each year from BT. If they want to benefit from lower prices for a new contract they are going to have to downgrade to Fibre 2.

[Forumcloud]

More or less as I feared. Same for my address - no sign of G.Fast options on the bt.com website, with or without a landline telephone service (I don't want a landline telephone service as I don't own a landline telephone).

Shell and TalkTalk offer what must be G.Fast so I could change to them. Moving to TT would save £15/month which, to me, is not insignificant. I will try to negotiate with BT when the time comes, around August.