Now, I am considering signing up for DSL service with DT (from what I read on TT it is by far the quickest way to get DS). However, their Call & Surf contract comes with a 24 months minumum period.
The thing is, I will be moving abroad sooner than that. I searched through the forum and I found a few posts that say that DT will let you out if you move abroad, someone even suggested actually entering the foreign address in the moving form and since they cannot provide service they will let you out. However, some customer service guy from DT today told me I would have to pay even when I moved if it were before the 24 months time. Admittedly, he did not speak english very well, but still I he understood what I was asking.
So, anyone has any actual experience with this, i.e. canceling the contract with DT because they moved abroad?
Thanks!
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Cancelling a Telekom contract when moving abroad
Advice on your rights to break the contract early
Moving abroad is considered "exceptional" grounds for cancelling the contract, although in theory it should not have been "planned" when you signed up at the beginning. When the time comes to cancel you will need to write explaining the reasons for your departure and may have to show proof of your pending departure, such as the job acceptance in a different country or your de-registration (Abmeldung) documentation. Some companies (Vodafone are a good example) fight vehemently against such cancellations, but Deutsche Telekom are pretty forgiving.
Ok, so you are basically telling me that I in principle it is better to pretend that you don't know you are leaving before the 24 months limit and then when the time comes ask for cancellation on the grounds of moving abroad? Would the de-registration be enough documentation? I am asking because in my case I would not accept a foreign job offer when moving abroad (so no job offer documents), but rather just go back to my original employer on whose account I came to Germany for a while.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Or better yet, don't enter into a contract that you cannot fulfill.
Dolfan is correct. If you knew you could not fulfill the 24month minimum term when you started out then to attempt cancel it early on exceptional grounds might be considered fraud. When you come to cancel you will certainly need some proof of your pending departure from the country. Be careful any letter you have from your company does not catch you out - "As planned Mr XYZ leaves Germany to take up re-employment in our Outer Mongolia depot on January 1st" might catch you out for example, as would be the case if you had a limited residents permit expiring within the 2 years. As I said earlier, Telekom are more forgiving on accepting exceptional circumstances such as this, but they also have services without the 2-year minimum. They rely on these 2 year contracts to recover their costs on a cheap monthly deal or subsidised hardware. Many of the other cheap providers only have 2 year minimum contracts.
Oh, I did not know that there were service without the 24 months minimum with DT! When I asked for info from the customer service they only talked about the 2 years minimum package.
And even on the website, I could only find contracts binding you for 24 months.
Ok, so I'll try to have some German speaking friend talk to them and ask for more info.
BTW, I cannot be sure I'll move again in two years, but it is very very likely that I will want to, so in principle it is not planned.
Thanks!
And even on the website, I could only find contracts binding you for 24 months.
Ok, so I'll try to have some German speaking friend talk to them and ask for more info.
BTW, I cannot be sure I'll move again in two years, but it is very very likely that I will want to, so in principle it is not planned.
Thanks!
QUOTE (gatticats @ Mar 21 2008, 1:39 pm) 
Oh, I did not know that there were service without the 24 months minimum with DT!
The only telephone service from Telekom with a less-than 12 month contract is "T-Net Call Plus" - minimum contract 1 month, thereafter 6 working days notice to cancel - €16.37/month. To this you can add T-DSL - for example T-DSL-1000 at €17.43/month with similar cancellation conditions. All that's left is internet access - providers such as Fireline offer flatrate access from around €6/month with one month minimum contract. Most of this can be organised within the week. Once up and running you might want to consider moving to a complete package from another provider without minimum contract, such as Alice. This may take 4-6 weeks to be up and running, but at least in the meanwhile you have phone and internet to use...
Hey there,
I have 2 people at work who are very unsatisfied with Alice, not sure if what you get will leave you satisifed, but this is just what I've heard from them. On the other hand, I noticed YL6's comments on mobile broadband earlier (http://www.toytowngermany.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=80483) and thought I might give it a try as it would be best for me if i can find a provider that will do without the minimum 2 years sign up. I'm planning to give the place that resells Vodafone service, that Minga mentioned in the same thread, a try. I'm writing this because perhaps such a service would be a good option for you too..
I have 2 people at work who are very unsatisfied with Alice, not sure if what you get will leave you satisifed, but this is just what I've heard from them. On the other hand, I noticed YL6's comments on mobile broadband earlier (http://www.toytowngermany.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=80483) and thought I might give it a try as it would be best for me if i can find a provider that will do without the minimum 2 years sign up. I'm planning to give the place that resells Vodafone service, that Minga mentioned in the same thread, a try. I'm writing this because perhaps such a service would be a good option for you too..
Does anyone know the address (to send the letter) and the fax number you have to use in Munich for cancellations requests?
Found some info on this website.
Fax Number: 0800/3301009
Address:
Deutsche Telekom AG
Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 140
53113 Bonn
Best would be to cancel with a registered letter.
Fax Number: 0800/3301009
Address:
Deutsche Telekom AG
Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 140
53113 Bonn
Best would be to cancel with a registered letter.
Thanks Minga, Shouldn't be an address in Munich though?
I don't think they have a cancellation address specific for Munich. Best would be to check with your nearest T-Punkt.
Telekom amalgamated regional customer support offices last year into a centralised one in Bonn - the address is correct.
You can also download a sample cancellation letter and further information here. That document also advises that you can cancel personally at any T-Punkt. Be sure any letters you send go registered mail, you get any fax logs or written confirmation from T-Punkt as cancellations to Telekom seem to often get conveniently "lost" in their system.
You can also download a sample cancellation letter and further information here. That document also advises that you can cancel personally at any T-Punkt. Be sure any letters you send go registered mail, you get any fax logs or written confirmation from T-Punkt as cancellations to Telekom seem to often get conveniently "lost" in their system.
I have just been looking at that fireline link...
Its a t-com reseller yet they seem to offer 16mblah, flatrate, 1 month cancellation and if you stay with them for 10 months you get the 11th and 12th free.
Now, I am not normaly a suspicious person but this is T-com. Whats the catch?
EDIT: just saw it, you need to pay for both a t-com telephone line and the basic t-com dsl line :-(
Its a t-com reseller yet they seem to offer 16mblah, flatrate, 1 month cancellation and if you stay with them for 10 months you get the 11th and 12th free.
Now, I am not normaly a suspicious person but this is T-com. Whats the catch?
EDIT: just saw it, you need to pay for both a t-com telephone line and the basic t-com dsl line :-(
DO NOT go with Deutsche Telekom - just search this site and you will see heaps and heaps of reasons why not. They are a disorganised bunch of crooks who offer truly the worse service I have ever had from any company. I have just cancelled them completely and I am warning anyone who will listen to stay away from them.
QUOTE (Bell the cat @ May 21 2008, 11:19 am)
DO NOT go with Deutsche Telekom - just search this site and you will see heaps and heaps of reasons why not.
.. and there are heaps of reasons why you should too. None of the German Telcos are much use, but on balance I'd say Telekom are the best of a bad lot. Let's see how you get on with your next choice. Many people here prefer Alice and have good experiences, despite a recent newspaper report that 50% of Alice customers cancel within one year due to bad experiences. There is no way anyone can say any one company is good, or bad, unless you consider the entire service they offer (cost, efficiency, technology, customer service, contract management, etc.) For every company you suggest I can provide you with detailed examples of one or more aspects of their offering which would make you consider elsewhere...
I used to be a DT hater, but they have done pretty well for me in the last couple of years. They even managed to switch my phone and internet the very day I moved. I was surprised.
Hello everyone,
I have a variation on this question, as I have found myself in a bit of a bind!
I unknowingly started a 24 month contract with Telekom in January of this year, and now would like to cancel it before I leave for the USA in October.
My dilemma is that I am subletting from a friend, who suggested when I register for the call & surf packet that I just add it onto her already existing DT account. Basically it is in her name. I called Telekom and was told that she must write the abmelden letter to Telekom, however as it is not her personally who is leaving the country I am concerned it will be rejected.
Has anyone heard of a similar situation? I hate to think I will be paying for this long after I leave, and certainly don't want to leave her with the debt.
Best,
Mat
I have a variation on this question, as I have found myself in a bit of a bind!
I unknowingly started a 24 month contract with Telekom in January of this year, and now would like to cancel it before I leave for the USA in October.
My dilemma is that I am subletting from a friend, who suggested when I register for the call & surf packet that I just add it onto her already existing DT account. Basically it is in her name. I called Telekom and was told that she must write the abmelden letter to Telekom, however as it is not her personally who is leaving the country I am concerned it will be rejected.
Has anyone heard of a similar situation? I hate to think I will be paying for this long after I leave, and certainly don't want to leave her with the debt.
Best,
Mat
If she is not leaving the country you/she can't get out of it. Unlike many others Telekom are pretty good at letting people out of the contract when they have good reason, but this isn't the case as their contract is with your friend. You have no legal obligation to continue paying (your friend) but I guess you have a moral grounds not to leave her with the payments. Won't she be able to use the connection when you are gone?
couldn't you also simply cancel the internet part of your contract and go back to simply having a phone? Or is it a lock on the comfort thingy for six months.
The "comfort thingy" is a complete package of phone, DSL and internet access which can't be separated.
You have to give a one month notice for canceling your contract
Not if you signed up for a 24 month contract as all "Call&Surf" contracts from Telekom are...
I wonder if they would accept the excuse that her sugar daddy is leaving the country.
Dear All,
I made a Contract with T-com last year, But unfortunately I lost my job and I am leaving Germany! Now I got a bill for morethan 500 Euros from T.com stating for telecom line. Normally if a foreigner goes out of country , does he need not to pay the contract fee anymore. Any valuable suggestion or experience from your end is greatly appreciated.
Regards
TOM
Topics merged by admin
I made a Contract with T-com last year, But unfortunately I lost my job and I am leaving Germany! Now I got a bill for morethan 500 Euros from T.com stating for telecom line. Normally if a foreigner goes out of country , does he need not to pay the contract fee anymore. Any valuable suggestion or experience from your end is greatly appreciated.
Regards
TOM
Topics merged by admin
You may be able to get out of the contract if you can show you are leaving the country. Telekom are one of the easier deals to get out of in this respect. I'm curious what the €500 bill is - this must have been for services already received (so will have to be paid) as Telekom don't bill in advance.
Hi York,
It says that they need subscription charges for another 18 Months + tax.
It says that they need subscription charges for another 18 Months + tax.
Hi Tomsa,
Appeal. They clearly have not understood your circumstances.
Appeal. They clearly have not understood your circumstances.
QUOTE (tomsawyer @ Jun 23 2008, 1:02 am)
Hi York,
It says that they need subscription charges for another 18 Months + tax.
It says that they need subscription charges for another 18 Months + tax.
Exactly. O2 does the same. Vodafone, too. They all do the same. Either you pay or they will hunt you down, later, anyway, and then you will have to pay even more because they will include delay fees.
If you are only moving within the EU, it goes even faster for them to start mailing you with stupid letters.
Sorry for laughing about this, but I think there is really no other way than to cancel all internet and special "packs" which go with the contract... You know.. the extra orders, first... because usually those can be cancelled after 3 months, or so. Then you look at the basic fee. It cannot be too high, but since this is what you signed the contract for 24 months for, you will have to pay the remaining 18 months + tax.
I don't think Telecom will be more "forgiving" than any of them... been there, done that - check my latest topic on the profile. Of course, nobody wants to buy my number, now.
Hi All,
I made appeal again! surprisingly i got a call from T.Com to day morning and they told me they are going to waive my fees for next 17 months with tax. I need to pay only for next month.
cheers
TOM
I made appeal again! surprisingly i got a call from T.Com to day morning and they told me they are going to waive my fees for next 17 months with tax. I need to pay only for next month.
cheers
TOM
That's a fair resolution. Telekom has a good reputation in this regard.
Grats! Now you can buy YL6 a drink for his help with the money you saved
Only one?
Does anyone know an e-mail address for T-com customer service?
Depends on what "service" you want - technical (phone doesn't work?), commercial (question about an invoice?) or contractual (want to sign up, cancel or change?) for example.
contractual
Click on their service link to enter details of the problem/question and your details
Beware of getting out of contracts with Kabel Deutschland!
We sent them the standard letter explaining we were leaving the country and had to cancel, etc. They sent a letter asking for proof, which we then faxed. Hubby took the precaution of also disallowing them from making automatic deductions from our bank account. I can't find a letter from them, confirming that we were off the hook, which must have slipped through the cracks in all the moving brouhaha.
We heard nothing from KD till one year later, when my parents started receiving letters from them, asking for hundreds of euro. (We had given my parents' address to a Deutsche Post for mail forwarding, but this wasn't forwarded correspondence. Kabel Deutschland had been given a different forwarding address, which they never used.) By the time I got the letters from my parents (maybe a month later), they had turned it over for collection to a lawyer, who is also asking for something like 800 euro.
We're ignoring it, but it's really upsetting that KD didn't send us any notice, say, after a couple of months of non-payment, when we could have straightened it out. At this point, our German has regressed and we're not going to attempt to iron it out from overseas. Fortunately, we had no similar experiences from any other service providers.
We sent them the standard letter explaining we were leaving the country and had to cancel, etc. They sent a letter asking for proof, which we then faxed. Hubby took the precaution of also disallowing them from making automatic deductions from our bank account. I can't find a letter from them, confirming that we were off the hook, which must have slipped through the cracks in all the moving brouhaha.
We heard nothing from KD till one year later, when my parents started receiving letters from them, asking for hundreds of euro. (We had given my parents' address to a Deutsche Post for mail forwarding, but this wasn't forwarded correspondence. Kabel Deutschland had been given a different forwarding address, which they never used.) By the time I got the letters from my parents (maybe a month later), they had turned it over for collection to a lawyer, who is also asking for something like 800 euro.
We're ignoring it, but it's really upsetting that KD didn't send us any notice, say, after a couple of months of non-payment, when we could have straightened it out. At this point, our German has regressed and we're not going to attempt to iron it out from overseas. Fortunately, we had no similar experiences from any other service providers.
QUOTE (cinzia @ Jun 27 2008, 3:12 pm)
We're ignoring it,
I'm not sure that's the best course of action.
We're hiding out in the US, then.
They actually don't have our real address, so they have no evidence that we've gotten any of their correspondence.
Again, I would rather it hadn't come to this, but I'm sure if we contact them, they're not going to let us off without paying something. We don't even have a German bank account anymore, so the whole thing is complicated.
They actually don't have our real address, so they have no evidence that we've gotten any of their correspondence.
Again, I would rather it hadn't come to this, but I'm sure if we contact them, they're not going to let us off without paying something. We don't even have a German bank account anymore, so the whole thing is complicated.
Just so long as you NEVER need to visit Germany (or possibly even Europe) EVER again...
Hmmm. Well, YL6, I know you're an expert on such issues. Do you think we have a legal argument that since KD never contacted us for payment for a year, then more or less immediately turned the account over to a lawyer, we have the right to any relief?
We do still have the receipts from faxes to KD as soon as we knew we were moving, notifying them that we were leaving the country and cancelling our contract.
We do still have the receipts from faxes to KD as soon as we knew we were moving, notifying them that we were leaving the country and cancelling our contract.
I'm sure KD will be able to show they took reasonable steps to find you and deliver any reminders or threats. How reasonable (or effective) those steps really were is a moot point and one that a court may have to decide. If this is is the case, then you are certainly liable for the debt and any accrued expenses including lawyers and recovery fees. If they realise that the recovery of the debt is not practical or likely then the sensible approach would be to simply drop it and you are let off, but it's pretty straightforward and not expensive for them to win an undefended action in court from which point your indebtedness is formalised and there'll be APB's at all border crossings for the next 100 years. On the other hand your departure from Germany clearly made the original contract unenforceable and null and void, but again this is an argument for a court to decide in the light of the evidence of how hard you tried to tell them you were leaving. However it proceeds it's going to cost you money, either to pay up and go quietly or to defend your position. Did you have legal insurance when you were here? It might be still valid for a case like this, even though you have now left and the insurance itself may have now lapsed, as the insurable incident occurred while the policy was actually valid.
Thanks, YL6.
My personal opinion is that it seems entirely to the advantage of the service provider to just ignore any notification you send regarding your imminent departure and then try to collect damages later. It's very upsetting to discover a year after departure, that there are still loose ends with the cable company.
Anyway, I'll give your advice to my husband and see if he wants to pursue any action. We did have liability insurance the entire time we lived in Germany, which served us well already when we had a conflict with our landlord over whether or not we had to renovate. We could contact the same attorney and see if she can/wants to take on the case with KD.
Given the state of the dollar right now, we probably won't be taking any vacations in Europe for awhile, but he has to return occasionally on business.
My personal opinion is that it seems entirely to the advantage of the service provider to just ignore any notification you send regarding your imminent departure and then try to collect damages later. It's very upsetting to discover a year after departure, that there are still loose ends with the cable company.
Anyway, I'll give your advice to my husband and see if he wants to pursue any action. We did have liability insurance the entire time we lived in Germany, which served us well already when we had a conflict with our landlord over whether or not we had to renovate. We could contact the same attorney and see if she can/wants to take on the case with KD.
Given the state of the dollar right now, we probably won't be taking any vacations in Europe for awhile, but he has to return occasionally on business.
NOT Liability insurance, legal insurance. Unless of course you accidentally threw a brick through the office windows of Kabel Deutschland too.
cinzia, you have PM with a suggested contact.
Whatever legal insurance we needed, we did have it, thanks again YL6.
And thanks for the contact, highered, cheers.
And thanks for the contact, highered, cheers.
let them (Tcom) translate your letter, why you/us?
When I spoke to the person in the store he said it would be better for me if it was in german as they would be more likely to do it quickly. I have already had several bad customer service experiences with T Com when I originally got my contract with them and I would rather do everything I can to make sure my contact does get cancelled so I do not have to come back and deal with it in the future!
Hi, I have been doing a work internship in Germany for just over 5 months and I am going to be returning to the UK in 2 weeks as my contract ends. I have a contract with T Com for the internet since February which I want to cancel. I have gone into a branch near where I live and they said to cancel the contract I just need to send a letter to T Com telling them I am leaving the country and a copy of the form showing I have un-registered to live here.
I have already unregistered and now I just need to write the letter, the person I spoke to said it would be best in German and my german is very poor so I was hoping someone here would be able to help me write the letter, I have drafted the sort of thing I want to say in English below but I am not sure if this is suitable for Germany and I have tried translating it inmto german using the internet but I know these interent translators are normally rubbish. If somebody would be kind enough to translate it for me or tell me a better way of writing it I would greatly appreciate it.
I also have a feeling that I need to of had the contract for at least 6 months before they will cancel it, but I am not sure, could anyone confirm this for me?
Many Thanks
Paul
Topics merged by admin
I have already unregistered and now I just need to write the letter, the person I spoke to said it would be best in German and my german is very poor so I was hoping someone here would be able to help me write the letter, I have drafted the sort of thing I want to say in English below but I am not sure if this is suitable for Germany and I have tried translating it inmto german using the internet but I know these interent translators are normally rubbish. If somebody would be kind enough to translate it for me or tell me a better way of writing it I would greatly appreciate it.
I also have a feeling that I need to of had the contract for at least 6 months before they will cancel it, but I am not sure, could anyone confirm this for me?
Many Thanks
Paul
QUOTE
Re: Account Cancellation
Kundennummer:
Rechnungsnummer:
Buchungskonto:
Dear T Com,
I am writing to inform you that I will be leaving Germany on July 14th 2008 and returning to the UK due to the end of my contract to work here. I currently have an internet contract with you that started on February 18th and due to me leaving the country I wish to cancel it, effective July 13th. I would appreciate written confirmation within the next 30 days that the cancellation has gone into effect to be sent to:
<My home address>
Please find attached to this letter a copy of the form confirming I am no longer registered to live in Mainz and I will be returning to the UK, I will no longer be contactable at an address in Germany from July 13th 2008.
Kind Regards
Paul
--
Re: Konto Stornierung
Kundennummer:
Rechnungsnummer:
Buchungskonto:
Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren T-Com
Ich schreibe Ihnen mitzuteilen, dass ich werde mich verlassen in Deutschland 14. Juli 2008 und der Rückkehr in das Vereinigte Königreich aufgrund der Ende meines Vertrages hier zu arbeiten. Ich habe derzeit eine Internet-Vertrages mit Ihnen, dass begann am 18. Februar und wegen mir Sie das Land verlassen, möchte ich absagen, wirksame 13. Juli. Ich würde schätzen, eine schriftliche Bestätigung innerhalb der nächsten 30 Tage, dass die Annullierung hat in Kraft zu richten an:
<home address>
Finden Sie im Anhang zu diesem Schreiben eine Kopie des Formulars bestätigt Ich bin nicht mehr registriert sein, um leben in Mainz und ich werde wieder in das Vereinigte Königreich, werde ich nicht mehr erreichbar zu einer Adresse in Deutschland vom 13. Juli 2008.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Paul
Kundennummer:
Rechnungsnummer:
Buchungskonto:
Dear T Com,
I am writing to inform you that I will be leaving Germany on July 14th 2008 and returning to the UK due to the end of my contract to work here. I currently have an internet contract with you that started on February 18th and due to me leaving the country I wish to cancel it, effective July 13th. I would appreciate written confirmation within the next 30 days that the cancellation has gone into effect to be sent to:
<My home address>
Please find attached to this letter a copy of the form confirming I am no longer registered to live in Mainz and I will be returning to the UK, I will no longer be contactable at an address in Germany from July 13th 2008.
Kind Regards
Paul
--
Re: Konto Stornierung
Kundennummer:
Rechnungsnummer:
Buchungskonto:
Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren T-Com
Ich schreibe Ihnen mitzuteilen, dass ich werde mich verlassen in Deutschland 14. Juli 2008 und der Rückkehr in das Vereinigte Königreich aufgrund der Ende meines Vertrages hier zu arbeiten. Ich habe derzeit eine Internet-Vertrages mit Ihnen, dass begann am 18. Februar und wegen mir Sie das Land verlassen, möchte ich absagen, wirksame 13. Juli. Ich würde schätzen, eine schriftliche Bestätigung innerhalb der nächsten 30 Tage, dass die Annullierung hat in Kraft zu richten an:
<home address>
Finden Sie im Anhang zu diesem Schreiben eine Kopie des Formulars bestätigt Ich bin nicht mehr registriert sein, um leben in Mainz und ich werde wieder in das Vereinigte Königreich, werde ich nicht mehr erreichbar zu einer Adresse in Deutschland vom 13. Juli 2008.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Paul
Topics merged by admin
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