General Chat

Looking at ways of reducing phone bill was interested in Tesco offer. Am on BT Together (the old one). Rang BT asked what was the rate of a basic rental line - told I could not have a basic rental line that I HAD to take one of the three options. Asked if I cancelled my BT Together what would the line rental be - again told I would have to chose one of the three options. I argued but no use - I did not say I was looking at another provider. I feel this is blackmail and makes it virtually impossible to change provider as all providers require a BT line. No - we do not have cable in my area. Your thoughts/ideas. Ann

I said I just wanted a basic line, no frills, no offers - their reply is I cannot have one - must have Option 1 the cheapest - which is £11.50 per month - £10.50 if you pay DD. I never mentioned I was thinking of another supplier. Ann

Tesco have 3 options as well - one I am interested in is Talk 2 - evenings and weekends - all calls free to UK land lines for £4.47 per month and 2.5p. during day. No limit on length of call. BT's equivalent is £17.50 per month including line rental (£16.50 if DD). A limit of 60 mins per call and 3p. per minute during day. Also you can talk free 24/7 to any other Tesco phone customer. Ann

Thanks - will have a shower and then give Tesco a ring on their 0800. I just thought I would save a bit and be able to talk more! Relatives and close friends are all National! But took the hump at BT telling me what I could/could not have - girl was quite stroppy. Ann

Have you compared SAGA rates? No offence meant if you are too young!

Hi, I have the BT basic line - I guess that is option 1 and all my calls are through Homecall. For just under £12 a month from Homecall I get ALL national and local calls free all day every day. They are up to 90 minutes free then you hang up and redial. Its very handy as I now call my dad and other relatives any time of the day for as long as I like. Ive been with them for a couple of years, so I dont know how they compare to any of BT updated packages.

Just noticed they also have a complete package of 2 mg broadband, line rental and all land line call Call now on 0871 230 3520 Homecall Broadband Special Offer 2MB Unlimited Broadband and FREE UK landline home telephone calls - for only £29.99 a month! OFFER 1 - £29.99 a month for 2MB broadband & FREE unlimited UK phone calls Unlimited broadband - no restrictions or download limits, surf as long as you want Unlimited free calls to UK landlines, any time day or night FREE connection - worth £50 FREE modem - worth £35 FREE - 5 email addresses and FREE webmail, read your emails anywhere FREE - Spam control, reduces unwanted e-mails FREE - Up to 125MB of webspace - build your own website Bundle Deal - Get all of the above for only £29.99 per month!!

Have a look at the uswitch website. It compares all the utilities/phone companies for your circs. I just fed in my info and it reckons I could save about £200 a year by transferring from Homecall to Talk Talk. Check it out.

I am definitely not too young for Saga!!!!! Spoke to Tesco and although moves are afoot somewhere in leglislation to break the hold of BT on line rentals it could take some years. However the basic rental they confirmed is BT Option 1 of £11.50 (£10.50 DD) per month. And if you are a Tesco customer you get points as well!!!!!! Must dig out my bills for last year and look at other options not just Tesco but it has given food for thought. Ann

Me too Ann, I had thought Homecall plus the BT line was my best option, but now on the uswitch website they reckon I could save about £200 with Talk Talk. Ive just had a look at their site on the anytime Option 3 it is £7.99 per month and the first three months are free if you sign up in August - so that would save £24 straight away. Then £4 a month over Homecall.

Direct Save charges £9.95per month for free calls all day every day. Sounds good anyone heard of them? Talk Talk - free offer for first 3 months then £7.99 per month after a year rises to £12.99.

Ive just looked at the Martin Lewis site (see my thread money saving tips). He says that Talk Talk is currently the best buy (from £6 per month plus 3 months free). After a year when it increases to £12.99 he says there should be better deals so ditch them then. Thanks Ann for raising this - Im gonna change to Talk Talk anytime Option 3 now! And save at least £100 in next 12 months over Homecall (and about £140 over BT). Think of how many certs that would pay for.