More news on TalkTalks very long queues (and bad customer services) for those calling them (especially on their revenue generating 0870 number) here, and below are just a few quotes:-
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Now what I thought was funny is that despite Carphone salemen stating upto 45 mins waiting is not uncommon, TalkTalk's "official" response is:-
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Don't you just love the PR departments that can change any negative news and make it sound like its nothing to worry about - everything is a OK?

It also appears that there is a wait of upto 2months now for broadband and many complaints are from customers being billed twice and/or being charged for calls that should be included in their tariff:-
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I am currently with Onetel Broadband, however come September 16th 2006, I will ask for my MAC code and migrate to Virgin.net ( max 3MB ).  At least, it will be on a monthly contract, and the telephony with Superline with unlimited geo calls.

James Bond

Point 3 - Complainants said it was not sufficiently clear from the advertising that the availability of broadband was dependent on being connected to a qualifying telephone exchange and that people not connected to such an exchange would have to pay a further £10 per month for the broadband service.

Complaint Uphelds

We considered that "Subject to availability" was not sufficiently clear to highlight to consumers that the TalkTalk broadband service was only available without an extra charge to homes that were connected to an exchange which TalkTalk had (or proposed to) "unbundle".  We considered that "Subject to availability" was ambiguous and could have been interpreted by consumers to mean that availability was limited, or that it was dependent on technical issues outside of TalkTalk's control.  Furthermore the CD Promotion only referred to the availability of the 8 Meg download speed, not the broadband service in general.  We welcomed the proposed changes TalkTalk planned to make and we told them to seek CAP Copy Advice on how best to explain the availability of their service in their non-broadcast advertising.

On this point, the TV ad breached CAP (Broadcast) TV Advertising Standards Code rules 5.1 (Misleading advertising) and 5.2.3 (Qualifications).

On this point the CD promotion and press ad breached CAP Code Clause 7.1 (Truthfulness) and 30.2 (Availability).

Point 4  -  The ASA (but seemingly not the other 100+ complainants) also challenged whether it should have been made clear in the ads that a delay of around 10 weeks would apply before people would receive broadband.

Complaint Not upheld
We accepted that the delays were partly caused by exceptional demand for the service.  We considered it would have been extremely difficult to accurately measure the likely response to the offer.  We noted that most broadband services took some time to set up and people would therefore expect a delay of some kind, although not usually as long as 10 weeks.  Given the difficulties in anticipating demand, we accepted, in this instance, that it would have been difficult for TalkTalk to accurately reflect in their advertising when first broadcast/published that there would be a considerable delay in the broadband service for some customers.  However, we advised TalkTalk that, should the delays persist, we would expect them to reflect this in any future advertising so that potential customers are aware from the advertising itself of the problems rather than having to rely on information from TalkTalks' website or their staff.

On this point we investigated the TV ad under CAP (Broadcast) TV Advertising Standards Code rule 5.1 (Misleading advertising) and 5.2.3 (Qualifications) but did not find it in breach.

On this point we investigated the CD promotion and press ad under CAP Code Clause 30.1 (Availability) but did not find them in breach

Action on Points 1, 2 and 4 Where the Complaints were Upheld Against TalkTalk

The ads must not be broadcast or published again in their current form.

We told TalkTalk to seek CAP Copy Advice on how best to explain the availability of their service and before using "free" in their non-broadcast advertising.

So basically TalkTalk lose on every important point and cannot run the ads again in this form but they do not get fined as the ASA never imposes fines.  Unfortunately the teleision ads did run due to the incompetence of another part of the ASA that signs off tv ads in not correctly vetting them.  This is mentioned in the ASA's response.

Now if only Ofcom would ever condemn an organisation like Sky or BT for continuing to use the term National Rate and ban them categorically ban them from doing it again.  But no at Ofcom all one gets is just a polite suggestion that such behaviour is not terribly sporting old chap and a hope suggested that decent chaps will do the right thing in future.  If they all turn out to be cads and bounders well too bad old boy - not a lot sleepy Ofcom can do about it don't you know..........

So all they have done is reintroduced the old Talk 3 to get round the problem.

I've had problems trying to get money back from TalkTalk broadband after I transferred to another provider - all before the "free" broadband offer. I cna't get through to anyone to sort it out and despite having received a letter to say I won't get charged - I'm still receiving bills...

Heres a letter I wrote to them (email)

Dear Sirs

TalkTalk Broadband Problems

Over the last few months I have made numerous phone calls, sent may emails (each with only an automated response) and got nowhere with resolving the problems I have.

I have tried many times over the last few days to get through to you by phone with no joy as operators are constantly busy and I'm asked to "call back later"

I first received TalkTalk broadband in April 2005 and entered into a years contract for broadband at £14.99 a month.

Towards the end of the 12 months I decided to review prices of broadband providers and realised that I could get a faster service for less. I contacted TalkTalk to provide me with a MAC key ready for the switch to my chosen provider Madasafish.  I completed all the necessary online forms within the timescales set out in my contract i.e. giving 30 days notice that I wished to transfer.

Initially there were problems with receiving a MAC at all, but once received I thought all was going smoothly with the transfer. I connected to my new provider and expected that TalkTalk would cancel my account as I had asked.

I then received a letter dated 27th April 2006 from Steve Rescorla telling me that I had an overdue amount on my account (I had cancelled the direct debit).

Obviously I wasn't willing to pay for a service I no longer receive.

I then received a bill dated 10 May 2006 for £33.48

My wife contacted TalkTalk and spoke to Titus and then Ruth Neso, Team Manager who assured us that we would get a credit for the amount and the account would be cancelled properly.

At this point I thought everything had been sorted out and I would hear nothing more - I was wrong

I received another bill dated 10 June 2006 for £51.97 and more phone calls followed with assurances that it would all be sorted out.

I then received a FINAL DEMAND for payment!  I was obviously furious by this point.  I contacted customer services several times until I spoke to Claire Southwark who said she was sorry for everything that had happened and that she would get the credit put on the account and I would be reimbursed for the £14.99 that had been taken.  I asked to receive it in writing and she assured me a letter would be issued.

Amazingly I received a letter the next day! Dated 4th July 2006

The letter said -

" In reference to the conversation today I write to confirm that your Broadband account has begun the process of disconnection."

I had had my other provider since April!  So it was already disconnected

" I have also requested that the disconnection fees be waived."

I am not liable to pay them anyway having given the 30 days notice required by the contract.

" I can confirm that a credit for the sum of £51.97 has been placed onto your TalkTalk Broadband account placing your account with a zero balance."

Great - but no mention of paying me my £14.99

"I can also confirm that your direct debit details have been disabled on our systems, and that no further payments will be requested..."

I then received another bill dated 13 July 2006 for £18.49!

I'm fed up of having to sort all this out and I want to make sure that this complaint is handled correctly.

I can provide copies of all letters and bills for the ombudsman if so required.

As you can see I have copied this email to Ofcom and Otelo

Please sort this out for me immediately, I expect to receive some compensation for the inconvenience caused.

I look forward to your prompt reply

Yours faithfully

Craig Andrew Gilman

Just noticed on SkyNews Interactive that CPW are in the red due to their broadband offer!

I managed to find it on Sky's website here, and from it I quote:-

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Ive been with TT a**shol** for a few months now, and Ive found their service is absolute rubbish

Ive had to ring their fault line many times, usually from a phone box... the nearst one to me is 2miles away, and my minimum wait to get through to the faultline was one hour and forty five minutes. Yes thats right.. I 'wrote' it incase you all thought it was a blo*dy misprint.
Vodaphone cust servs are just as bad. I'm waiting on them as Im writing this,,, so far 51mins. I'll havve to leave it in a minute cos my call time will be up. Ive sent them letters and emails which have been ignored

I'm really dropping this in here because some time ago I was credited £5 from CPW for their line always being 'out' therefore rendering the internet and phone connection unobtainable. I DIDn't get it, and the b**tard* had the cheek the following months bill to charge me a £5 direct debit failure charge, when they hadnt had that failure at all!! Since this, I have been awarded another two lots of £5 crdits, which have not materialised. as yet. Many calls. Many emails. Many so-called apologies. Too many excuses. Too many promises of raising and correcting...... And I'm still waiting.... And the more I wait, the more patience I lose  (Sometimes I have had the impression that these custserv idiots think that if they keep us waiting, we will mellow as we do... with me it's the exact opposite!!)

TT had the ruddy nerver to send me a poll question survey type thing one day basically asking if I would recommend them to friend family or other member of the public. Naturally I answered yes. Dont be bloo*y daft. Of course I didnt. What I actually said was that I would NEVER EVER do so, unless it was someone I disliked intensely.... I haven't been sent one since...I wonder why??????????

No. All you people thinking oif signing with TalkTalk....