But that's just ...... stupid!

OK, so this isn't the first time that BT have proved themselves to be beyond all logical comprehension, but please, can someone explain this - their latest 'wheeze' - to a poor simple soul like me?

Because Mr. F'smum is away so often and because the account is in his name, it means that I (even as his wife) can't make any changes to our account and all attempts to do so result in ..

Sorry, you can't do that, we have to speak to the account holder
But we're husband and wife
Maybe, but we need to speak to the person who pays the bill
But I pay the bill, it comes out of my personal bank account by direct debit and has done for 10 years.
Yes, but you're not the account holder. You'll have to get him to ring us and (wait for this ... ) give us his permission to talk to you.

... type conversations. Anyway, with him at home for a few days, we thought it a good opportunity for him to ring BT and give them his 'permission' to talk to the little woman!

Get this ... the conversation between Mr. F'smum and BT (ignoring all the, press 1 for this, 2 for that, 398 for self-destruct and a waiting time of 10 minutes to speak to an 'advisor')

Good morning. My account No. is xxxxxx and I'd like to change the name on it from Mr. A. Fidgetsmum to Mrs. R. Fidgetsmum, so that my wife can make changes to the contract when I'm away.
Certainly we can do that, that'll cost £93.16
How much?
£93.16
Yes, that's what I thought you said. Why?
Ah well, that's the cancellation fee
But I don't want to 'cancel' anything, I just want to change the name of the account holder.
But in order to do that, you have to cancel your contract which costs .....
... £93.16, yes I got that bit. Well, you can forget that. Any other suggestions?
Well, what we can do, is to put the account in joint names
And that'll cost ....?
Oh nothing, that's free of charge
OK, so can we do that then?
Certainly, please wait a moment - short pause - That's all done.
So, by putting the account in joint names, my wife will now be able to make any changes?
Oh no, it just means the account will be in two names, any request for changes will still have to come from you as the main holder.
But if it's a "joint" account, there isn't a "main" holder is there?
Well, yes - you. If you want your wife to be able to make changes, then her name will have to appear as the main holder and that means a cancellation charge.
At this point Mr. F'smum hangs up muttering 'Oh, ffs'

So - my question is .... if someone at BT can access their database and type "Mrs. R. Fidgetsum" alongside Mr. A. Fidgetsmum for nothing, why does it cost £93.16 for that same person to access the same database and add an "s" to the "Mr" then delete an "R" and substitute an "A"?

It is just ....... stupid Isn't it?

 

I told BT where to get off years ago. Been with Virgin ever since, no problems.

 

It's the way of things these days. It's all about making money at every turn. 'They' are all at it

 

It might be worth trying...http://www.ofcom.org.uk/about/

 

Oh I know the answer to this one!!!!!

Took a few years of frustration to finally get it though ....

They phoned us: ....

BT: Hello, can I speak to Mr Mum, please.
Me: Sorry, he's not in; may I help?
BT: No, we need to speak to the account holder. When will he be in?
Me: I have no intention of telling *you* that; you could be anyone!
BT: We need to speak to the account holder.
Me: May I ask what it is with reference to?
BT: The account.
Me: I pay the accounts, so you can discuss it with me
BT: No, we can't; it has to be the account holder.
Me: Ok, bye!

Phoned Mr Mum at work (totally steaming!).
Me: I've a good mind to put on my Neadethal Brother impersonation next time!
Mr Mum: No need: next time they call and ask for me, just say, "speaking".
Me:
Mr Mum: They can't prove your not over the phone

One hour later ....

BT (different operative): Hello; can I speak to Mr Mum please
Me: (In my sweetest voice) Speaking!
BT: Erm, ... is that *Mr* Mum?
Me: Yes, speaking, how may I help you?
(short silence)
Me: Hello? How may I help you?
BT: Oh, erm, we'd like to offer you free weekend and evening calls within the UK ... spiel ...
Me: Oooh, lovely! Can you send the bumph in the post?
BT: Certainly
Me: Anything else?
BT: No, thank you for your time, Mr Mum
Me: You're welcome
!CLICK!

Ahh, the benefits of living in a broad minded, gender reassignment, world

It has worked for us for a number of years now

 

Oh and a previous argument I had with them (before I 'won' as an effeminate Mr Mum) was to point out that I held the power of life and death over Mr Mum, if he were ever on life support, because I am his legal wife; so surely I could change the "friends and family" numbers?

Nope

 

The thing is - our broadband is cr*p and yes, many's the time I've thought of changing supplier but ..... first of all you still need a BT line no matter who your ISP, so friends and neighbours in this village who are with PlusNet, Virgin, TalkTalk, etc., still have exactly the same problems we experience, as it's all down to BT's inability to do whatever it is they have to do.

Then of course, I'd have to get Mr. F'smum to talk to them since, being a mere woman, of course I'm not 'allowed' or can't be trusted to make decisions on his/our behalf!

And when I once tried a different tack with BT and asked what would happen if Mr. F'smum had walked out and left me, I didn't know where he was and was going to divorce him on the grounds of desertion they said .... "You'd have to get him to write to us and confirm that"

Of course, that would have incurred a cancellation and a re-connection charge, so then, like a complete numpty I said, 'OK, so what if he'd died, he wouldn't be able to write to you then would he?' And their reply? ....... "It would be better if he did die then we could change the account details for nothing" Bumping him off just to change to an itemised 'phone bill seems a bit extreme but ......

 

Figetsmum, please re-read my post