What Would You Do

[weecalf]

Can’t get dialling tone on landline .Reported it to bt .Was talked through a test to check landline didn’t help .So the chap says he will book engineer free but if it is my phone or the wiring on my property is a fault it will be a fee of 130 quid .Do I take chance it’s not my fault .What would you do .

[-SharonA-]

Wow, this has gone up. Happened to me and ended up paying £74.

No way round it as I can see, but couldn't see how my wiring was at fault when they put it in previously.

[Giggsie]

That is standard with BT. I would try another phone just to check it is not your phone. I had same problem awhile back but it was a fault at the exchange so no fee to pay.

[Tuvok]

Have you tried a different socket, or a different phone?

[Buenchico]

As has been suggested, simply borrow another phone and plug it into the main BT socket (not to an extension one!). Also try your phone plugged into a socket in a friend's house.

If both phone's work in your friend's house but not in yours then there's obviously a fault with your line.

[gingejbee]

I'd plug my cheap spare phone into the first socket on the property....to eliminate a fault with my usual phone and any internal wiring.

[weecalf]

Sorted by luck .Got one of these cordless phones .Neighbour told me when I checked were others phones out that there is a button with a small key on it that stops calls being made .so it was pressed by mistake .So May have saved myself 130 quid which I have not got anyway .

[Old_Geezer]

Been caught by this more than once. They don't charge you if they find the fault is on your property or with your equipment: they charge you if they are too incompetent to find the fault that's on their network. Nice little "earner" for them, but what can you do ? Check your side as best you can, and if the fault isn't found either put up with it or agree to their unfair terms.

[THECORBYLOON]

I had a fault with7 my landline a few year ago and couldn't use it. BT said they would get an engineer to check the line but there would be a £100 charge (may have been higher) if the fault were at my end. They said they could divert my calls to my mobile for three months.

I didn't want to risk the charge and the calls are being diverted still.

[Old_Geezer]

That'll (not) teach me to read the thread before answering.

[fcc]

why not borrow a phone from a neighbour and try that ?

[chrissa1]

My son is an Openreach engineer and he has told me many times that he has rarely found that it is the owners fault.

[weecalf]

Looks like this would have been mine .Line been crackling for over a year now probably my fault for not using it enough .