Virgin DOUBLED their call rates to many 0844 numbers!

Schekelfuchser

Virgin doubled their rates for calls to numbers in their charge band PG8. This belongs to many 0844 numbers like the ones starting with 084486 (0844calls, Bestminutes, Budgetcom, Dialaround, Dialwise, Telediscount...) and 084472 (05 Pence, 4CheapCalling, AbroadPhone, Pennyphone, Ratebuster...). They should normally be charged 1p/min, but Virgin now charges 2p/min for them: http://allyours.virginmedia.com/html/phone/callingcosts.html

Looking back at my old bills they actually started charging 2p/min even before their new price list came into effect. I still have their old one (prices effective from 1st October 2008) that clearly says 1p/min for calls to charge band PG8.

Besides that: Does anyone know, whether they are allowed to just double their rates to 0844 providers? Or is this something for Ofcom?

Heinz

I wonder how Richard Branson came to be a multi-millionaire?

jhp

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1154911&highlight=virgin+media+0844+calls

Only BT have to charge the lower 0844 rates. Other suppliers can charge more. Just like 0845 etc.

Schekelfuchser

Thank you!

Jemma-T

Heinz wrote: »

I wonder how Richard Branson came to be a multi-millionaire?

I don't think he'll be making too much out of Virgin Media any time soon. He doesn't own it either. He's loaned the name 'Virgin' and he owns shares in the company. All those combined cable companies never made money so sticking a new brand on it ain't going to do very much. The banks and investors thought it was good though.

I'd bet 'Virgin Media' won't be called that very soon just as soon as the people who own it realise it can't make them much money (if anything at all).

See: Virgin Money, Virgin Trains, Virgin Wine, Virgin Balloons, Virgin Radio, Virgin Jewellery, Virgin Perfume etc

Yes, Branson is worth a fortune but that's down to people buying into the name (or more correctly investors buying into the name thinking consumers think it's 'cool').

Virgin Records was something I thought was cool but that's not owned by Branson either of course. Virgin is just easyJet with a slightly darker orange.