ntl digital & breaking the 12 month contract early

PK - the king

I was wondering if I am able to break my 12 month digital contract with ntl
early, without any penalty. I've had nothing but trouble since I got it put in
and I'm pretty sick of it now.

I have had ntl digital since August, and ever since then, I've had different
digital decoders, I've had viewing cards changed, remote controls changed,
co-ax changed, ntl cable sockets changed - you name it, I've had it changed.
So I decided to hell with it - I'm getting sky while they have the sale on. So I
rang up last week and got through to Waterford and was told I have to put it
in writing and send it to some address. The woman on the phone, though,
told me that I may be penalised by having to pay the difference between
what I have paid for the digital so far, and what I would have had to pay if
I kept on the digital service for 12 months. I don't think I should have to
pay anything as ntl's digital service is terrible in my area. They have no
intention of trying to improve the service. So I was wondering are ntl
legally obliged to end my contract, without penalty, if I give them the request
in writing, at least one month in advance?

Any help, comments or ideas on this would be much appreciated.

Regards,
PK

Round Cable

If NTL didn't deliver the service that was promised (i.e. all the trouble you've had) I am sure you could get out of the 12 month contract without any penalty.

cgarvey

Yeah, one would think that the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act would cover that well enough .. you're not getting the service that was sold to you, and that you could reasonably expect.

NTL might turn around, however, and say that if you weren't happy with it you shouldn't have used it for the last X months. All that would depend on how long you have had it for, and when the last fault was reported.

If it was me, I'd cancel the DD if there is one, and put in the letter that you are terminating the contract on the grounds of unsatisfactory service, despite several attempts to remedy it. I'd also mention that, therefore, I deem it reasonable to not to expect to pay the termination fee, and will challange any termination charge applied.

You could get all narky and start quoting SOGASOF act, but I wouldn't in my first letter. And IANAL, I'm just saying what I'd do if I were in your position.

.cg

bikecrazy

I just got rid of NTL for the exact same reason, sh*t service since it was installed.
They came took back the box and said they would refund any money pid in relation to digital.

cgarvey

Originally posted by bikecrazy
I just got rid of NTL for the exact same reason, sh*t service since it was installed.
They came took back the box and said they would refund any money pid in relation to digital.

Good stuff.. did you have it for long? Did they refund the installation charge?

.cg

Mini

of course you can break the contract and you won't have to pay the rest of the fee.

just send in the letter - stating why you are getting rid of the service and that although ntl tried to help it just didn't work out.

you most definetly won't get back the installation fee - that is a given, you may get credit for the length of time that were without service and get away without paying for the next x months left on your contract.

take it or leave it .. thats the best you are going to get.

cgarvey

Originally posted by Mini
you most definetly won't get back the installation fee

Although it is unlikely, that would depend on how much trouble you had, and how long you had the service for. It may also depend on how far you were willing to go to challange it. However, its not a definite, by any means.

.cg

PK - the king

well thankfully I dont pay via DD, and I was going to mention the SOG&SOS Act. It would seem quite a lot of people are generally unhappy with ntl's level of service. There is no chance of me getting the install back - I don't really care as I only payed €32.50 for it (half price offer) and I got 2 extra basic TV points installed too.

Cheers for all the info anywayz... I' off to write my very snotty letter now. :cool: