It is never easy deciding which broadband package to choose with such a variety of options on offer. Some seem too good to be true, and that sadly is exactly what they are.
24% of us have, according to research carried out by moneysupermarket.com, discovered to our cost that we really ought to have taken the time to read the terms and conditions properly, rather than just skim through the contract as 25% of us do, or worse still fail to read it at all, as 8% of us confess to having done.
There are several additional costs which can pop up unexpectedly on your monthly bill if you are less savvy than you think you are. Providers have to make their money somehow and what better way than sneaking charges into the contract which you may think are included as standard.
For instance, if you choose not to pay your bill by direct debit, be prepared to fork out up to £5 a month for the privilege of having a paper bill sent to your address. Even if you have set up a direct debit there will be a charge if, for any reason, the payment fails, ranging from £7.50 to £25.
Just because you have no minimum contract period does not mean that you will not be penalised (by being charged £50 in some cases) if you cancel or move home within the first twelve months.
Also be prepared to pay a one-off fee for setting your broadband service up. This generally varies from £15 to £40. Having got everything up and running, you had better make sure that you do not go over your download limit, as this will incur a charge of up to £3 for every Gb over and above the cap.
Finally keep your fingers crossed that everything runs smoothly, because if you have the misfortune to have to call the designated helpline, this will cost you up to 50p per minute.
For advice on understanding the small print, have a look at moneysupermarket's guide.
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