Broadband Question

Hiya guys,

I'm in a major problem with my internet broadband service provider at the moment. I cancelled my 12 month contract with them as it's near the end of the contract and i'm moving house anyways (end of one year rent with landlord). Two months later I get a warning letter about not paying them 2 months worth of bills (usually they take the money directly out of me and my housemates joint bank account, but they couldn't because we didn't have any money in it) as well as a £25 fee for them sending me a second warning letter (bit ridiculous seeing as all they needed to send was a bit of pre-written paper). I havn't recieved the 1st letter as the letter was directed to my old house, I was lucky just to get the 2nd letter as my landlord re-directed back to my new house and found out about all of this.

My question is, are they allowed to charge me for a service i'm not using and a place i'm not living in? Also how can I argue on the phone that I did actually tell them to cancel it? (As they could just lie and said I havn't) is it possible to use my rent contract as proof that I don't live there anymore?

Arrrgh, Pipex Broadband indeed sucks alot, please save yourself don't go with them.

 

If you had a 12 month contract, and they're charging for months 11 and 12, then yes, they have every right to collect. However, if they're charging for months 13 and 14 - after you canceled with them, then no, they don't have the right to collect.

 

Thanks for the fast response, yes they did charge me months 13 and 14 but is there a way to prove I did indeed call them to cancel? For all I know they could lie and say I havn't in an arguement, as they may not record all phone conversations.

 

Ask to speak to a supervisor - in the UK there is somnething called "citizens advice bureau" - which can help with legal problems.

 

~*Update*~

We spoken to them on the phone and they said they'll contact the failed to cancel team to find out if I really do need to pay i.e checking through internet usage, records... So at the moment I don't need to pay until we find out by the end of the month. But from what I found out in another broadband specific forum, loads of people are in the same situation as me of which many had to take court action. I'm suprised the broadband company isn't closed down due to terrible service, threatening and black mailing accusations and amount of court orders, perhaps it was because it was brought over by other companys two times within a year. Word of advice new users: Please don't make the mistake of going with Pipex UK Broadband

 

Also, take as a lesson learned from this experience that you should always communicate with a company in writing, preferably with a post-office receipt to show proof of actual mailing. If you rely just on your memory of having called up some do-do in the customer service department, you're just setting yourself up for tons and tons of heartache.