Why Wh does d my IS ISP not honour 14-day cooling-off period?

QCan you give me some advice on my recent renewal of a business contract for a landline phone with Unicom ( http://switchingon.com) that my wife was pressurised into signing up to. We tried to cancel this three-year contract within 14 days, but Unicom said we’d have to pay a termination fee. Tony Smith

ATony isn’t able to use the 14-day cooling-off period because it exists only in the Consumer Contracts Regulations, which don’t apply to business contracts. But he can get help. First, he needs to write to Unicom’s complaints department ( www.snipca. com/24787) about being pressurised into renewing his contract. If the contract is in Tony’s name, he should point out that his wife can’t renew it without his permission.

If Unicom won’t waive the termination fee, Tony should ask the company to send him a ‘deadlock’ letter explaining why, then pass it on to the Communications Ombudsman ( www.snipca.com/24788). If the Ombudsman finds in Tony’s favour, it will rule the contract null and void.

If you run a small business you should read Ofcom’s advice on the kind of contracts you’ll be offered ( www.snipca.com/24789). As the regulator states, you should pay attention to the ‘minimum contract period’ when signing up. If you cancel before this period ends, you’ll probably have to pay an early-termination fee. Providers can’t automatically renew contracts for companies that employ fewer than 10 people.

If you’re considering a contract with Unicom, read its terms and conditions first ( http://switchingon.com/terms-andpricing), or call the company on 0161 946 4444 – it claims that “most calls” are answered in under six seconds.