(edit title) TV Subscriptions and Cancelations Unsatisfied TV from Bredbandsbolaget Options

[abbyrovenn]

Hello,

I would like to start a discussion as well as to share the mutual experience on the "pranks" that TV companies are pulling on the consumers.
Recently a sales rep called me from Bredbandsbolaget to sell me a TV subscription. I was already a Bredbandsbolaget subscriber for my internet, and thought it might be a good idea, therefore I signed in. Two days later, I received my equipment and got it connected. I was not satisfied with the quality the channels deliver compared to the TV subscription I had from Comhem, so I immediately with in an hour contacted the Bredbandsbolaget support and complained about the quality. I was told that this is the quality they have and they can not cancel the subscription since I have already started the service. Of course I could not have commented on any thing of the service quality unless I have started the use the services, and the guy who was supposed to "help" me was not helpful at all, who repeatedly refereed to the contract I had with them. They also said there is no termination clause to the TV subscription contract, which amazes me. I would be much happier if I was given the option of returning the equipment on my own expense, and pay the first months subscription charges or what ever, but I have not been given any termination options either in this case.
I am now looking to pursue a dispute against them, since I don't think its fair to deliver some crap and ask for money from the consumers. There should be a fairness and satisfaction on both sides, and I am gonna fight for that now.

Share your thoughts, Do and Don'ts based on your experience. It would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Abby.

[byke]

Did you sign a contract?
sometime equipment comes with a contract to sign.

[Migga]

If asked to sign up for a subscription one should ask if there is a contract or terms that comes with. If it does then one should read the terms and either accept or decline the offer. If one does not read it beforehand one shouldn`t be surprised that there might be some hassle when breaching the terms.

[abbyrovenn]

The contract is verbally signed. And yes I agree that one might have to expect some hassle if the contract is not read and signed and if the services are not upto expectations. But what I am after is some exist clause which all contracts verbally signed or otherwise should have.

[byke]

How can a contract be signed verbally with terms and conditions?

[chazza]

signed is no doubt the wrong word but the contract terms and conditions is read to the consumer over the phone and they are asked if they agree-verbally- thereby rendering the contract legal and binding. same as a signed written contract.

Or are you just messing with semantics ?

[byke]

An oral agreement would be one thing, however with terms and conditions usually being so indepth I find it hard to see how they could enforce such.

Let's say the customer stops paying the subscription, or has refused to pay.
What would happen?
Well the bill would get bigger and eventually sold to a debt agency to recover it.
Now let's say, this debt agency then come after the customer ... I am wondering how they prove an agreement with said terms was agreed.

Another thought is was or if a verbal terms and conditions were read over the phone, we're they done in English? If so was this a translation done on the fly by the salesperson? If it was then it could also question the legality of such translation.

[byke]

And from a computer hardware point of view, isn't there a 14 day return law covering such?

[DaveN]

For distance selling via phone or net, there is usually 14 days 'ångerrätt'. I'm not sure if this applies in your case, but can't see why not. Contact konsumentverket as they have all the details.

[Yorkshireman]

And from a computer hardware point of view, isn't there a 14 day return law covering such?

Yes. Consumer law in Sweden (and within the EU) states You have 14 days to change your mind whether it is a product or service that You bought via telephone sales (distans).

If bredbandsbolaget do not let You cancel it, especially since you were led to believe the quality is good when it isn't (Bredbandsbolaget are known for poor quality TV in many places) you can then lodge a formal complain with ARN ( http://www.arn.se/English/ ).

[Bender B Rodriquez]

An oral agreement would be one thing, however with terms and conditions usually being so indepth I find it hard to see how they could enforce such.Let's say the customer s ... (show full quote)

An oral agreement would be one thing, however with terms and conditions usually being so indepth I find it hard to see how they could enforce such.

Let's say the customer stops paying the subscription, or has refused to pay.
What would happen?
Well the bill would get bigger and eventually sold to a debt agency to recover it.
Now let's say, this debt agency then come after the customer ... I am wondering how they prove an agreement with said terms was agreed.

Another thought is was or if a verbal terms and conditions were read over the phone, we're they done in English? If so was this a translation done on the fly by the salesperson? If it was then it could also question the legality of such translation. ... (hide full quote)

Verbal agreements are as binding as a signature. Phone salesmen record the part of the conversation where you accept the terms and conditions, and they inform you of this. However, you have a grace period of 14 days to change your mind.

[DaveN]

In fact, unless they pointed out to you about the ångerrätt at all the stages, especially on the final paperwork, then you have 1 year, not 14 days.

[byke]

Verbal agreements are as binding as a signature. Phone salesmen record the part of the conversation where you accept the terms and conditions, and they inform you of this. How ... (show full quote)

Verbal agreements are as binding as a signature. Phone salesmen record the part of the conversation where you accept the terms and conditions, and they inform you of this. However, you have a grace period of 14 days to change your mind. ... (hide full quote)

You have provided the OP with some great info and clarity regarding consumer protection and I give you props for that.

1 question I have (not necessarily to you, but an open ended question out of curiosity) would be I wonder if phone salesmen also record the actual terms with the agreement that they tell the specific person who agrees. Otherwise such salesmen could say a pack of lies regarding terms and conditions, record just the "yes" and then reject any claim that questions such.

[Bender B Rodriquez]

They must record the terms also.

[AW1]

http://www.bredbandsbolaget.se/published_i...andsbolaget.pdf
Point #13.

byke, I would expect a reputable company to do so, since it would cover them in case of a dispute.
I know that Sky and Virgin does this, but I'm not sure if Swedish companies do.