You have signed, online or by telephone, a contract with a telephone operator, but after a few days you came across a more convenient offer or you noticed some not very convenient clause, and now you would like to retrace your steps? Here's the good news: thanks to right to reconsider you can do it! Pay attention to the timing though.
Signing contracts at a distance or on the street has already become common practice for some years; the consumer who signs a contract in this way needs one greater protection than those who go to a shop or in the agency, as he may not have had the time or the opportunity to weigh the pros and cons of the contract well.
In the moment in which we document ourselves on how to change landline telephone company, it can be noted that when the contract is not concluded in the shop, the switch from the old to the new supplier can take up to 30 days. Such long times may surprise, but they are motivated by the fact that, for a few days, the new manager cannot start the practice, as it must give the customer the necessary time to make sure they have made the right choice.
The right to reconsider is a consumer right regulated by the Law Decree 21 of 21 February 2014, which implements Directive 2011/83 / EU.
The Decree establishes the ways in which distance or street contracts must be stipulated, as well as the deadlines within which consumers can withdraw from the contract without incurring penalties and without having to pay anything.
In particular, from the moment of acceptance of the contract, the customer has at his disposal 14 days to exercise the right to reconsider; during these two weeks, the practice for the change of operator remains firm, unless the consumer himself renounces the right to change his mind, explicitly asking the supplier to initiate the operations necessary to make the change.
In the event that the terms of the contract were established by telephone, the supplier would be required to send the consumer one written documentation, in paper or digital format, so as to allow him to carefully read all the clauses.
The 14 days to exercise the right of reconsideration will start when the customer has sent the fixed telephony operator the signed contract.
To exercise the right to reconsider, it is necessary send written communication, by fax or registered letter with return receipt, to the supplier, no later than 14 days after signing the contract. It is not necessary to indicate the reasons that led to the cancellation of the contract.
In the event that the telephone service provider was not sufficiently clear about the possibility of withdrawal, which must be clearly indicated in the contract, the right may be exercised for subsequent 12 months.
When the telephone service provider receives the communication, the change of fixed telephone operator is canceled.
In the event that the consumer had paid money, the telephone operator would be required to return it in full, without exercising any withholding. As for any devices received for hire, such as modems or telephones, it will be up to the customer to return them, at his own expense, to the service provider.
Although there is the possibility of exercising the right to reconsider, to avoid having to waste time sending communications and returning devices, it is always preferable carefully evaluate offers before signing contracts.
Read all the clauses, make sure that the area, in case you decide to activate an internet connection, is well covered by the network service, as well as pay attention to all costs that will have to be supported, are three good habits that will help to choose the new manager without fail.
