Virgin Media Retention thread

Blue264

I tried to reduce my combined package with Virgin Media this weekend. They offered to take the charges on my tv, phone and broadnband bundle down to £30 by removing all the childrens channels and the likes that I don't need on my tv package.

When I called back to query this further yesterday I found that they've actually reduced my tv channels, removed my evenings & weekends calls and my call reminder, and to top it all off, they've put it under a new 12mth contract when I have been out of contract since 2004. :mad:

I've rejected this package as I don't want to be tied to a new contract with them. Also, the broadband test I did showed that they have the slowest speed of all the providers serving my area.

I really want to get a Freeview box and change my phone and broadband to o2 (whom I've had my mobile with since 2001), but they want £85 to change the phone line.

Totally at a loss what to do now and what suppliers I can consider, but I do know that I'm a hell of a long way from impressed with the lot of them! The service I'm receiving is dire from Virgin Media. They even want to charge me for a wireless router after putting up with their old products since 2002, and no new products since swithing to broadband in 2005.

collis

I've had a VM contract for some time but recently we had the free offer of the tv package added, that ran out and then when we realised that the bill was insanely high we reduced the package to the lowest package and noticed that everything we are paying for is the freeview channels that a standard freeview box will provide the the roof aerial.

Also, part of the 65 channels they "provide" is about 10-15 adult channels that we have no intention of ever watching and dont want them.
Has anyone ever got VM to remove these adult channels and replace them with channels that are actually worth paying for or could i use this to cancel the contract as they are providing content that is unrequested and unwanted?

Anon

Sas1979 wrote: »

We are paying £14.46 for 10mb Broadband and the phone line with unlimited calls including 0845 numbers. Just say you are switching companies and give them notice to quit and the should phone you within a few days asking why you are leaving so just say you are going to sky and getting their unlimited calls package + free broadband for £16 a month.

The funny thing is we can't even get that package in our area!!! :rotfl: If they don't check before phoing then that's not my problem.

Over the phone they did offer me the M+ package on the tv package for the same price but they are now denying that was ever said so I've phoned up sky and got a multiroom box added to my order which is getting installed on Monday. (Complete package with HD & Multiroom for £30.50 for a year) :j

Does anyone know how to prompt the phoneback or get through to this team directly please, as normal retentions don't seem to be offering anything at the moment (to me anyway:().

About a week to go until my 30 days is up and haven't been contacted... is anyone getting any deals from retentions these days, or are all the deals being done after you have given notice and they called back?

Many thanks

Anon

latecomer

Blue264 wrote: »

they've put it under a new 12mth contract when I have been out of contract since 2004. :mad:

You wont get a deal without agreeing to a new contract, thats how it works.

As for the BT line installation, BT were doing cheap connections recently. Also see if sky are available in your area for the unbundled service as you might be able to get something good from them.

spud17

Anon wrote: »

Does anyone know how to prompt the phoneback or get through to this team directly please, as normal retentions don't seem to be offering anything at the moment (to me anyway:().

About a week to go until my 30 days is up and haven't been contacted... is anyone getting any deals from retentions these days, or are all the deals being done after you have given notice and they called back?

Many thanks

Anon

As I posted further back the thread, I only had the one call a couple of days later.

We had the same old conversation, they told me I was stupid leaving because I'd only get 3Mbit from O2., also my BT linechecker was not as good as their 'official' BT one.

Mine's due to be disconnected Saturday 6th November.

I ordered O2 exactly 2 weeks ago, the router arrived on the following Monday, I was due to go live on the Thursday, but actually went live midday Friday.

Assuming Topcash pays out, I get 1 yrs BB for £22, and running at around 6.2Mbit.

I can live with that.

ewmillarcraig

ewmillarcraig wrote: »

Just been on the phone to VM. Currently I've got:

Line Rental £11.99
Talk Unlimited £7.95
Phone, Bband L & TV M Saving £-10.00
TV Size: M £0.00
V+ HD Box £5.00
Broadband Size: L £25.00

total £39.94/month

With some harsh negotiating the best they could offer me for the same package was £35.44 - with a 12 month minimum contract.

Decided to put 30 day notice on the account as this is still £10/month more than I was paying previously (£25/month).

What's the likelihood of them phoning back with a better offer in a couple of weeks time? I don't really want to have to leave VM, so I'm hoping they will!

As predicted - had a call back from retentions the other day, offering me the above package for £25.49/month incl VAT on a 12 month contract, guaranteed not to be affected by price rises etc. It just shows that in order to get the best prices you basically have to say you're leaving then wait for that call a few days later!!! :rotfl:

Anon

ewmillarcraig wrote: »

As predicted - had a call back from retentions the other day, offering me the above package for £25.49/month incl VAT on a 12 month contract, guaranteed not to be affected by price rises etc. It just shows that in order to get the best prices you basically have to say you're leaving then wait for that call a few days later!!! :rotfl:

Good to hear that you got a result - less than a week to go and I still have not had a call back . I may have to cancel my cancellation and try again (but if they are logging my calls to Retentions, they may just think I am desperate and not bother!)!

Anon

fairy-mother

I think i need to get involved here and try my luck. Have been a customer since Telewest days!

This is a GREat Forum BTW, should have joined YEARS ago!

clare1angel

Hi all,

Tried to get my virgin costs down just over a week ago but going on what others have received I don't think it was a very good deal??

What I was paying:

Line rental - £11.99
Talk e + w - £3.45
Phone, tv & bb discount - £-14.00
Tv size xl - £24.00
Bb size l - £25.00
Sky sports - £22.00
Total - £73.44

What I've got now:

Line rental - £11.99
Talk e + w - £3.45
Phone, tv & bb discount - £-18.25
Additional loyalty discount - £-3.00
Tv size xl - £24.50
Bb size l - £25.00
Sky sports - £22.50
Total - £66.19

I also inquired about having an extra box in the bedroom and was told it would be an extra £5.50 a month but they would waiver the installation fee.

Anyone think I could haggle for a better deal? I'm also interested in getting the movies for xmas.

Thanks for any help/advice.

Clare* :A

mizzbiz

We are now in our cancellation period. IMHO Virgin are offering very poor value at the moment - since we only get freeview channels on the TV we are getting BB (L) and the phoneline (with extortionate call charges) for £27 pm. Rip off. We rang them and the only thing they could suggest was losing the TV and paying £21.99 a month or losing the telephone line and TV and paying £20 per month.

We are winging our way to O2 for nearly half that price. Since we only ever get 1.1meg DL speed anyway (which is very fast IMHO) what's the point in paying way over the odds? We'll get phone line unlimited evening and weekend calls reasonable call charges out of that period and decent BB for about £17 a month with three months free and £50 cashback.

Sorry Virgin, you lose.

PS retentions haven't tried to call us back yet. Must think we're bluffing lol.