Disgusting Price Increase!

[Cookyweb]

I've just had the email that you are now cashing in on the cost of living crisis by smashing a massive 14.4 % increase on my bill.

Its absolutely disgusting, at a time when people are struggling to eat and heat their homes you decide to hit us with that ridiculous increase, not just a few % you up it by 14.4%

Its sick and I'll never be using EE again when this contract ends, I'll also be going out of my way to warn other people from using you, there's absolutely no justification in a hike like that, its pure greed and you should be ashamed.

You're a disgrace!

[James_B]

Hi @Kyleg918,

Welcome to the EE Community. 🙂

Please get in touch with Customer Care if you'd like to discuss your bill.

The team can access your account and will be happy to help.

James

[XRaySpeX]

@Fleagle : But not FoC if you're still within contract term.

[Chris_B]

@mflaggo   It clearly states a yearly price increase of CPI +3.9% in your contract terms and conditions.    That CPI rate is based on Decembers CPI rate.    While it doesn’t state what that CPI rate is as that would be impossible as it’s not published till mid January.  

From your T&Cs 

6. Annual Price Increase

Your Charges include an annual increase by a percentage comprised of i) the annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) (ignoring any negative figures) plus i) 3.9%. We will do this so the price increase takes effect on bills dated on or after 31st March of each year (see point 7.6 of the terms and conditions).
 
And if you want to read 7.6 

• 7.6 All Your Charges (including the Price Plan Charge) include an annual price increase (rounded up to the nearest whole pence), which will be calculated by multiplying the Charges individually by a percentage comprised of () the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate figure published by the Office for National Statistics in January of that year ignoring any negative figure), plus (ji) 3.9%. The increase will take effect on bills dated on or after 31st March of each year and use the CP| figure published in January of that year. If the CPI figure is negative in the relevant year. We will only increase the Charges by 3.9%. The change to Your Charges as a result of this annual increase will not give You the right to terminate this Agreement without paying a Cancellation Charge.

[mflaggo]

Are you trying to be dense?  Again, just because one CAN do something doesn’t mean they SHOULD do something. There is absolutely NO justification for a 14.4% increase. Period. End of.

EE’s costs have NOT increased 14.4% and probably haven’t even increased 4%!  Yes, EE can contractually do it, but I am positive I won’t be the only one moving on to another service at the soonest possible time - never to come back. 

And, not to point out the obvious, but if deflation were to happen, EE won’t reduce your bill, they will still increase it!  It’s reprehensible and only possible because the UK government (Tories) is too invested in telecom to not want the profits and allows what essentially amounts to collusion among all UK telecom companies, which is the ONLY way a telco doesn’t offer an option that doesn’t lock you in and doesn’t automatically increase your bill. This garbage never happens on the US because it’s not allowed. 

It’s laughable that the only response to my, and other’s, post is to quote the contract, but in no way justify the increase. It’s truly disgusting and unconscionable. 

in a breach of etiquette I double-dog dare you to be transparent and show the accounting for true cost  increases to EE’s operating expenses. But, as soon as the 2023 profits are posted, we’ll know. Just like TESCO it will show profiteering on an epic scale. Pathetic. 

[Ellieined]

Have had 4 rather happy years with EE- even though the line often disconnect in my office (big Uk city). Used to be a Vodafone customer beforehand and I must say the Vodafone network is more reliable (where I live and travel). EE Price went from £48+vat to over £61+vat in 2 years. Proposed upgrades are even more expensive if I choose a 2021 ‘new’ phone. I shall be voting with my feet and leave ee for the only network not charging roaming: O2. I won’t be looking back (amd am pretty aware of what I’ll get with O2 network snd service-wise). And yes it’d be crazy to commit for more than 24 months for a new handset + plan, looking at the greediness from all operators.

[mflaggo]

Help how?  By quoting the contract and telling me to deal with it and shut up?  Or nicely tell me that that is just the way it is and, oh by the way, if you want to cancel because of our price gouging, you’ll have to pay a cancellation fee?

Spare me. It’s a chore to deal with any UK customer service, no sense in banging one’s head against that wall to be told you have no option and you’ll do nothing about it. 

[WS1995]

Sure. If some people can afford the early termination fees. One of my lines having upgraded in November 2022 has an early termination fee of £1820. Then when you include the other 4 lines, the total cost to terminate all lines early is over £3,000. I don't have £3k laying around and if I did I don't think i'd be on here moaning about my contract having gone up £84 a month with this latest price increase. It's a vicious circle - can't afford the contract, so want to terminate, haven't got the 3 grand required to do so, so back stuck paying now £449.40 a month.

[mflaggo]

14.4% year over year increase is NOT small!  How, exactly have I over-simplified?  Let’s open the books and compare actual cost increases to EE operations over the last year and then let’s talk. But, hey, we can just wait for the P&L statement next year that will show record profits instead. 

What’s worse is that there are few options available because the Tory government allows what amounts to collusion among the telcos and the lack of regulation and subsequent baked in profits discourages market entry by a disruptor (see T-mobile in the US) that would offer better prices and more flexible contracts. 

It’s monopolistic behavior that is allowed to continue by the current UK government. 

[mflaggo]

Yes, they are a disgrace for doing it like other companies. 

[XRaySpeX]

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@mflaggo wrote:

Are you trying to be dense?  Again, just because one CAN do something doesn’t mean they SHOULD do something. 

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No, are you? EE T&C's don't say "may" but "will" : 

"We will do this"

"The increase will take effect on bills dated on or after 31st March"

 There's no 2 ways about it!