Never a better time to look at finding cheaper services
JUDGING by the messages I’ve been receiving, huge numbers of you are using lockdown to have a look at where you can make some savings. One of the best ways to save some cash is to drop your current provider of key services like energy, broadband, TV streaming – and loads of other sectors too.
There are lots of ways you can compare businesses any in many sectors, new rules have come in to make switching easier. You can switch if...
YOU’RE OUT OF CONTRACT
THE rules for most business sectors state that you should be notified in advance of a contract renewing.
For things like insurance, where the regulations are strict, you should be notified in writing a month in advance. However, some sectors just send an email or even a text! I don’t think that’s fair but it’s up to you to turn detective to beat the sneaky renewals.
Set up a calendar reminder a month before the renewal date so you know you’ve got time to shop around.
THE FIRM ISN’T PROVIDING THE SERVICE YOU SIGNED UP FOR
NOTHING lasts forever and over the course of a year, the service that businesses offer you will change too.
If you believe that the business you signed a contract with isn’t providing the key things that you wanted from it, that can often be grounds to break the contract early.
However, the rules are not definitive in most sectors, so you’ll have to put your case to the business in detail if you want to avoid an exit fee.
THE RELATIONSHIP HAS BROKEN DOWN (AND YOU CAN COMPLAIN EVEN IF YOU’VE GONE!)
SOMETIMES relationships with businesses break down and you shouldn’t have to be tied to them by a contract if they’ve behaved badly.
As with any relationship, it pays to be honest with yourself about where the blame lies. If a business has treated you badly and refuses to listen, then make a complaint and take it to an ombudsman or alternative dispute resolution scheme (ADR) if need be. Make sure that you specify in your complaint that you want to move on without charge.
YOU’VE MOVED AND THE SERVICE ISN’T AVAILABLE
ONE of the big areas of complaint I’ve seen involves people who move to other parts of the UK where a service isn’t available or isn’t much cop. This is most common when it comes to broadband, cable or mobile phone services. If your service isn’t available in your new home you shouldn’t have to pay an exit fee. Yet some firms are still digging their heels in.
Don’t take no for an answer. Be polite but firm and ask the business to waive charges if you can’t get the service.
THE FIRM CHANGES ITS T&Cs AND YOU’LL BE PAYING MORE MONEY
MANY contracts allow businesses to change their terms mid-way through. But if the change is ‘significant’ and – more importantly – you’ll be paying more money; you should be given the opportunity to get out of the contract without charge. However, you’ll be given a window of opportunity to do this and if you don’t respond in time, you’ll often be charged if you realise late and try to leave.
PANDEMIC-RELATED PROBLEMS
BE realistic about some problems posed by Covid-19. There may be a shortage of engineers and contracts to install services, for example. But you could still negotiate with your existing service provider by letting them know you’re thinking of going. Hitting a brick wall when switching?
■ For more help with complaints see resolver.co.uk