Started a 12 month contract with BT for wifi at the end of July, knew I'd but switching address at the end of Dec (doesn't seem to be a problem). However, the cancellation fee is nearly the same amount as the sum for the rest of my bills until June 16, and I'm now uncertain if I'll even be staying in the UK. So if I just stop paying, what could potentially happen? Court, jail? I don't have a permanent UK address as my permanent address is in Ireland.
Cheers.
Just pay what you owe them?
That's kind of the point of contracts I'm afraid.
When you say "wifi" do you mean "broadband Internet access"? Is it not something the next person in the house might want to take on?
You asked so I'll answer the question.
If you intend not to pay them I first suggest you open a free account with Noddle, that will show you whether BT has opened a report on your credit file, when it comes to utilities some do, some don't.
If they haven't the short answer is "not much" you'll get increasingly angry letters, which you probably won't see, finally they sell the debt onto a collection agency who'll send you vaguely threatening letters for decades to come, long after that debt is actually enforceable.
If they have, then they can really do a number on you - firstly they start to record the missing payments, then they declare you in default and you'll get a default marker on your credit file which is a major "black mark" whatever the amount or whoever you owe it to - you can pay it off at that point, but the damage is largely done for 6 years.
Theoretically they could take you to court to force you to pay, usually via the County Court (the infamous CCJ) which will really **** your creditworthiness up, but it's unlikely for less than £1000.
Also, the whole moving abroad thing - long gone are the days when you could leave the country and leave your past behind - the follow you internationally now.
It's a lot of risk / drama for what's probably no more than £200?
Just bloody pay it.
Never heard of Noddle before. Just opened an account. Who knew? I feel so empowered! Now I know what the banker is looking at when s/he keeps clicking away while I sit there and sweat. [/Slight Hijack]
I wonder if the contract might be deemed unfair if it didnt allow for the customer having a change in circumstances (such as moving abroad), much like gym membership contracts came under fire.
A recent court case concluded that gym contracts like yours, which have fixed membership periods of 2 years or more, are unfair for the gym member. Consumers are protected by laws that prevent companies enforcing contracts that are unfair to them. As a result, it’s unlikely that any court would support a claim from the gym insisting you pay the remaining amounts. In this recent case, the judge said that unless the contract allows the gym member to cancel under exceptional circumstances, such as illness or change in financial situation, the court will consider any fixed period (even as short as a year) unfair.
http://freecontractadvice.com/index.php/cancelling-a-fixed-term-gym-contract/
I didn't know BT even sold wifi?
What size bags does it come in?
They chased me (internationally) for a couple of years for payment of the new house owners phone bills. Silly crunts reopened my closed and paid in full account for some reason.
knew I'd but switching address at the end of Dec
But it seems he planned his change in circumstances.
can one sign with BT at all on a rolling monthly basis?
I had a dispute with virgin, they sold me an upgrade deal after many years on a previous contract, the hardware never worked so after several months I cancelled and went elswhere.
They threatened me with 100 quids worth of cancelation fees, I said take me to court, they went away.
This was the right outcome because given a court hearing I'm sure I would have won(their stuff didnt work) however had they had they been able to put a mark on my credit history the punishment without a court decision would have forced me to pay up as I was changing jobs and a blot on my record would lose me a job.
I often wondered since then who decides who can and cant put something on your credit history?
Anyone whom you enter into a credit agreement with can report this to a credit agency it'll be in the t&c's
Like it or not I suspect you entered into a valid credit agreement that you then breached, and would only "kinda" had yourself to blame...
I say kinda because you might have had grounds to argue you were mis-sold your contract...
can one sign with BT at all on a rolling monthly basis?
Don't think BT do short term contracts, but there are other ISPs that do. As with most ongoing contracts, short term is more expensive, but that's the price you pay for having the flexibility.
Why not just continue the existing contraxt at the new address?
(Although thats probably too simple for BT and you'll probably get a new contract starting from when you moved, despite being told you wouldn't)
If you intend not to pay them I first suggest you open a free account with Noddle, that will show you whether BT has opened a report on your credit file, when it comes to utilities some do, some don't.
It will show you whether BT opened a report on your credit file with Noddle, not whether BT opened a report on any other credit agencies.
Last time I checked my credit files across Experian, Equifax and Noddle, there were significant differences on each, so even if it didn't open up on Noddle, don't assume you won't get stung by someone else.
You signed a 1 year contract. You should pay for the year.
End of.