Hiya,

>:( I got my bill from NTL this morning and they are very proudly announcing they are changing their numbers from 8th May 2006:   >:(
I Quote:

From 8th May we will be removing our 0800 052 2000  :'( customer service number and our broadband technical support helpline numbers 0845 650 0121, 0845 650 0125 & 0845 6500925 and replacing them with new numbers.

So from 8th May the numbers you will need to remember are: 0845 454 0000* for all customer service calls and 0871 225 1111* for all broadband technical issues.

*calls cost no more than 5p per minute for 0845 numbers and 10p per minute for 0871 numbers from NTL landlines. All chargeable calls are sunject to a 6p connection charge.
calls from non-ntl lines may vary.




WHAT A SURPRISE  ::)  only a matter of time I surpose.

IAVOID0870 wrote on Mar 9^th, 2006 at 2:08pm:

.... only a matter of time I surpose.

And, if your place has had a BT line in the past, that time is now - go back to BT for nothing so you've got some choice.

As well as NThell it applies to Teleworst.

See NTL/TW statement here on Cable Forum.
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/article/244/ntl-to-end-free-calls-to-customer-service-line

Here's the link

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds30280.html#

All is not lost!  I am an NTL user and I certainly don't intend to use these premium rate numbers to ring them giving a middleman a profit as well as NTL a kick-back each time I call.  All we need do is to find the geographical numbers for their various offices and once you dial into any particular office, your're then 'in the system', and I feel sure that receptionists & secretaries will transfer as appropriate.

Alternative (to NGN's!)

Just been notified that ntl are to change their cs number from 0800 to 0845,also the broadband/dial up internet helpline is getting its own number yes its 0871(used to be able to connect via cs free line)so thats now average 4p a minute+6p connection fee to sort any problems out via ntl,this is what i call a disgrace.

No, there's no one off connection fee - It's a flat 9/10p per minute.  So therefore a 10 minute technical call is likely to cost you £2:00.  Ten minutes to wait on hold thereby costing around £1 and then another £1 for the cost of the 10 minutes actually held in conversation with a technical reperesentative.  Not good!!

This is par for the course for ntl.  I sacked them for lousy service, and eight months later they demanded the monthly payment over the past eight months.  They went on to threaten a personal visit and I have stood firm.  I wouldn't have anything to do with them.

John

I cancelled my NTL freedom service back in March.

They then helped themselves to another months subscription in April, and I was able to call them on the 0800 number to complain.

I was half expecting them to say they have no record of my cancellation, but instead they said it was a fault on their system, and promised a refund.

Guess what?  2 week later, and the amount has still not been refunded to my credit card.  Hardely surprising considering the poor service I had that made me cancel in the first place.

Looks like another e-mail to the director is in order, as he was very quick at sorting out my problems in the past.

So does anyone know the goegraphic equivalent to 0871 225 1111?  It should be in swansea so are there any NTL numbers which are 01792?  Thanks.

I am surprised no one has complained yet that NTL are removing their 0800 052 2000 customer service number and replacing it with an 0845 No. Also their Technical support line has gone from an 0845 to an 0871 No.

So now you can call any land line in the country free using their all inclusive package, but if you need to contact them for any reason, you have to pay for the privilege.  

If anyone can tell me that is not one enormous wrip off on their own customers I do not know what is.  Even worse there is no simple method of emailing them with a query or complaint on their Web site.

It is time that OFTEL stopped this money making scheme and insisted that all when 0845 No's and 0870 No's were given out, they were accompanied by an alternative Geographical Number.  

People have complained to NTL, and I even complained on the phone to someone high up in NTL, who I had a direct number to.

There is another thread running on the subject, and if you want to complain and make your voice known, the direct line I have is someone called Vicky on 0161 296 2516, who is very rude and won't appreciate the complaint about the rip off numbers, and will even tell you that the calls are National rate, and as a business they have a right to use those numbers.

However, complaining to normal customer service won't get anywhere.  Even after telling her that National rate is misleading, she wouldn't listen, and just used the excuse that every other company uses these numbers, and of course they haven't changed their description on the website.  I can see a complaint to trading standards coming on here!!

:-?  :( I think NTL are still trying it on........

If you call 0800 052 2000 which still works at the moment, they advise the following:

Our numbers have changed, in future please call 08** then,

"calls from a BT land line cost X amount - but calls from a NON bt land line may vary"

Are they having a laugh or what ?

To me that means as I have all 3 supplied services (TV/Phone/Net) by NTL they can rip me off to call them as I have a NON bt land line, but one of their land lines.

Answer = TOP WHACK costs to call my own provider on their supplied land line.

GRRRR  >:(   >:(   :-/

IAVOID0870 wrote on Jun 6^th, 2006 at 1:05pm:

Our numbers have changed, in future please call 08** then, "calls from a BT land line cost X amount - but calls from a NON bt land line may vary" Are they having a laugh or what ?

They are actually following ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) guidelines then.  They have to do this because different teleco's charge different amounts and generally BT are the cheapest simply due to how these numbers operate/work.  I'm not sure of NTL's cost but I assume its a penny or so more.

I do agree with you though that NTL should say how much it costs for their own customers but doing this would then highlight they charge more than BT which isn't good company practice for any company never mind NTL.

I have a friend in Swansea who had a bad time with NTL but phoned BT who sent an engineer to reinstate the severed BT line into his house for free, and he's now happy and satisfied as he's a BT customer.  I've also kicked him in the direction of Primus as that plan suits him best.  

If NTL are going to act like that then as I say, screw them.  BT are happy to install a line free if there is competition  ;D ;)

I found a new way to get through to customer services the other day using an 0800 number.

I was looking at channel 9 which is for "new customers only" and there is the 0800 numer.

I called this and there is an option press 1 if you are a new customer or press 2 if you are an existing customer, then I got put through to customer services with no probs.

;D

And the number is ....................???
Don't be shy, you can share with us. We won't tell, honest! :)

Try 0800 1830123 - then choose option 3. A number of further options are then available. Ps don't tell anyone!!

:) Sorry I am not keeping anything to myself, I had just forgot about this posting, It is the number on channel 9 whereby they try to sell you aditional services to add to your current package, I have just tried to get it but some other advertising is currently showing, will do it in the morning for sure ! :)

IAVOID0870 wrote on Jun 12^th, 2006 at 10:23pm:

:) Sorry I am not keeping anything to myself, I had just forgot about this posting, It is the number on channel 9 whereby they try to sell you aditional services to add to your current package, I have just tried to get it but some other advertising is currently showing, will do it in the morning for sure ! :)

As above it is the "latest offers" number 0800 183 1010 and when you get through they call it the "sales enquiry line" select (1) for new customer and (2) for existing customer -

I have used both options and been put through to customer services just tried again this morning and selected (1) and just asked for CS and put straight through.  ;D  ;)

I've just called NTL to complain about the lack of rewards for loyalty to them. I have now got pretty much everything half price for 6 months and was told to ring back again in 6 months time to see what else they could do for me - this was all on the freephone number 08000529403. I was so amazed I had to tell you lot.

I can understand ntl customers wanting to jump ship (and frankly ntl deserve all they get if greed is getting the better of them by their use of 0845/0871 numbers), but there are of course alternatives to BT.

I still have an ntl landline because it is part of my cable TV package, but I only use it for incoming calls. For outgoing calls (geographic numbers) I use the inclusive minutes that came with my mobile - and this is saving me a lot of money.

Additionally I have a second fax line which used to be BT, but I was seduced by a Post Office Homephone offer of £50 cashback! And unlike BT and ntl, the Post Office has no minimum call charge - a nice selling point for those who make many short calls.

Pippa, sorry to spoil the dream a bit, but don't forget that the inclusive minutes on your mobile are not free. Dependant on your particular package you could be paying 17p per min for them. At this point it would obviously be cheaper to use the landlines for land calls.
eg Orange Talk200 = £35.  = 17.5p per min to land or mob cross network.

a very nice man wrote on Jun 18^th, 2006 at 3:03pm:

Pippa, sorry to spoil the dream a bit, but don't forget that the inclusive minutes on your mobile are not free. Dependant on your particular package you could be paying 17p per min for them. At this point it would obviously be cheaper to use the landlines for land calls.

Indeed, at an average 17p/min it would also be cheaper to use the landline for calls to mobiles aswell.

Dave wrote on Jun 18^th, 2006 at 3:18pm:

a very nice man wrote on Jun 18th, 2006 at 3:03pm: Pippa, sorry to spoil the dream a bit, but don't forget that the inclusive minutes on your mobile are not free. Dependant on your particular package you could be paying 17p per min for them. At this point it would obviously be cheaper to use the landlines for land calls. Indeed, at an average 17p/min it would also be cheaper to use the landline for calls to mobiles aswell.

And how many people pay the full amount for line rental per month?

I get my phones that come with cashback line rental, and in most cases 12 months free line rental.  After the 12 months are up I just cancel, and then sell the phone (even more cashback)

In that time I've been paid to have a mobile, and I've used my inclusive minutes and texts for nothing.

Admittedly, not everyone's mobile needs can be serviced with a 12 months free line rental.  Mobile retailers usually push the phones they ordered too many of and only on certain tariffs.  If you're after that mobile, and tariff then great, but if you need a certain network and a certain tariff, and the best phone around, then you may well end up paying the full price per month, and those inclusive minutes do become expensive.

Shiggaddi wrote on Jun 18^th, 2006 at 6:56pm:

And how many people pay the full amount for line rental per month?

True, but again, the "full amount" is an amount the provider determines; this may be higher to allow discounts. In any case, the price you are charged covers the handset, inclusive minutes and anything else you get as part of the package. No part is 'free' because you wouldn't getting without it on its own without paying the 'rental'.

Smasher wrote on Jun 6^th, 2006 at 6:43pm:

I have a friend in Swansea who had a bad time with NTL but phoned BT who sent an engineer to reinstate the severed BT line into his house for free, and he's now happy and satisfied as he's a BT customer.  I've also kicked him in the direction of Primus as that plan suits him best.   If NTL are going to act like that then as I say, screw them.  BT are happy to install a line free if there is competition  ;D ;)

Somebody appointed a nice engineer.

Quote:

I get my phones that come with cashback line rental, and in most cases 12 months free line rental.  After the 12 months are up I just cancel, and then sell the phone (even more cashback) In that time I've been paid to have a mobile, and I've used my inclusive minutes and texts for nothing.

Exactly what I do, and the end result is that I pay no net charges on my mobile contract and only line rental on the landlines. However, I recognise the validity of the comments to my earlier posting, and I would add too that one has to be careful to claim cashback at the right time, observing all terms and conditions (I find a diary very useful for this).

However, there is a downside in that it could mean changing the mobile number every year as well as the need to overcome the inertia that the mobile providers absolutely rely upon to turn us into profitable customers.

As for non-geo numbers I absolutely refuse to use them. If I can't locate an alternative geographic number or an e-mail address I generally send my message by post without stamps (put FREEPOST in the address and change the last two letters of the postcode to BR), and wait for a reply.

Good on you, Pippa for refusing to use non geo numbers and sending by Freepost instead.  If businesses won't play straight and use proper geo numbers, let's either take our custom elsewhere or punish them for their greed.

John

Made my mind up over weekend to terminate my account with NTL, Nothing for it but to call 0845 but used 18185 3p min. Was supprised they answered within a min, was transfered within 2 mins to customer relations. They tried everything to stop me leaving, like doubleing my broadband speed at half price for 12 mths. No I was adiment I was going and told them I was not prepared to pay for customer service. There last ploy "WE WILL CREDIT YOU ALL CALL CHARGES TO CUSTOMER SERVICE" My reply was reinstate 0800 number and I will stay

ARE THEY LOOSING CUSTOMERS OVER THIS

Terry

Good luck to you dialer! I take it, though, you don't have a TV contract with ntl (or, if you do, are you moving over to Sky, because I hear their NGN policy is just as bad, if not worse?)

Sounds as if ntl scored an own goal, preferring to lose you as a customer rather than tell you that (some of) their geographic numbers still seem to work (e.g. 01256 752000). I must say, though, I'm glad you're punishing them for their greed!

I've got BT (business) line and NTL (private line + TV) for over 15 years.
I used to have internet as well with NTL until they started messing up.
I decided to part with them about 18 months ago.

After disablement I was forced to close my business.  
I could not afford to keep two lines on my benefits so I decided in April to end my telephone line with NTL.
They accepted  to cancel from May.
Then I got a call to say that they will refund me my next 3 months line rental if I just continued with them.
Then I got the bill and surprise surprise they 'forgot' to refund the line rental and charged me even more for my TV package (even more than the new increase).
I phoned on the 0800 number and was reassured that they will only charge me £3.50 from the next month and other charges will be refunded.

Now this will make you laugh: The next bill for June has arrived and surprise surprise they have had another memory lapse.
They 'forgot' to credit my refund.
Then to add insult to injury, the new 0845 phone kicked in.
So they deliberately make a mistake so that earn more money from unsuspecting customers who complain.

I rang their 0800 number but was met with announcement to ring 0845 number.
I rang that number and spoke to an agent.
She told me that the previous agent had not put the details on their system.  
I told them to credit my account with the line rental and the cost of my 0845 call to them.

Needless to say I have given them one months notice to remove my phone line.

Have you noticed that they quote BT prices to phone them ie: to phone customer service will cost XXp from a BT landlaine BUT how much from an NTL landline.
Surely most people calling NTL customer service will have an NTL line  ;D
I had phone tv and Broadband from NTL, first went TV then PHONE now BROADBAND.

It was obviously too expensive for NTL to let us use freephone numbers with all the call backs to put there mistakes right, now it don't matter we are paying

I have just checked and the following numbers take you through to NTL Customer Services.......

(1) 01256 751 046

(2) 01256 751 047

(3) 01256 751 048

On each occassion I got straight through to CS with no problems and as normal I was asked to supply my NTL A/C number or NTL telephone number.

I am not sure if they are AREA related or not, as previously suggested in other listings and other areas on this site.

Cheers .......

Don't forget to add these numbers to the alternatives database on this site via the link on the HomePage on this site.

wrote on Jul 18^th, 2006 at 6:56pm:

Don't forget to add these numbers to the alternatives database on this site via the link on the HomePage on this site.

These were already added by Dave.

IAVOID0870 mentioned this in the Geo Request section on the NTL thread here where Dave noticed it and added them.