virgin media - beware this con

kingrollo

t goes like this.....

I phoned virgin media explaining there prices were far to high....ie £22 for broadband , £25 for TV - Etc - they then offered me a top package for less than I was paying now - it was so good i asked what the catch was - none - the only condition is that you are tied to us for 12 months - ok I took the deal - thought that was it for 12 months.

Then 2 months later - I got notification of a price increase. I telephoned them to express my surprise as I was on a 12 month deal - I was told to read the email more closley and it said

"Customers on 3, 6, or 12 month offers will not incur price increases - until there deal ends" -

relieved - I thought OK

Then my bill came through with all the increased charges - so I phoned again - asking why my charges had increased, I referred to the email which said no price increases if you are on an offer........here comes the Bombshelll

"YOUR NOT ON AN OFFER - YOUR ON A DISCOUNT" "THE PRICE INCREASES APPLY"


It gets worse - ok I said I will cancel my stuff and go to sky

"You can't cancel you're tied in for 12 months" [or it costs me £140]

Basically its a trick - you sign up for 12 months - with discounts - but then they increase the prices - making the discount non existent - but you're tied in at the higher price

I have sent a letter of complaint to Virgin Media & OFCOM - if your with virgin media - I would urge you to check this months bill and do the same.

Meanwhile if your looking for a phone\TV\Internet provider - Don't use Virgin.

scotsbob

If it was clearly stated in their terms and conditions it is hardly a con. Even taking into account the price increase are you still going to be better off at the end of the year, bearing in mind you have already had two months on a lower price?

Pokerlad

I agree with Scotsbob, if the increase applies across the board and not just to people on a 'discount' then it dosnt appear a con to me, just a normal price rise. I will leave it to you and virgins lawyers to argue over the words used in the contract.

kingrollo

I reckon they are mis selling - they get you to sign up for something, which they quickly take away - and there defense is your on a discount - not an offer. In the Eyes of the law...is there a difference between a 'discount' and an 'offer' . [If I were on an offer - they have stated the price increase wouldn't apply']

I am not better of because

they have taken away my right to rival products for 12 months - I wouldn't have tied into the deal - if I knew it was subject to price rises (wots the point ?)

Pokerlad

But are you not missing the point that without the discount being applied you would actually be paying more then what you are, so you are still getting the discount you agreed for the agreed time. In that respect there is a difference between a discount and an offer.

In my experiance, these offers are usually applied by discount and I really can't see what they have done is wrong.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

They cant have it both ways.

Unfair contract.

richard9991

Sick of people siding with muli million companys like sky virgin media etc against the person on the street these companys twist everything in there favour when you talk to them .they give you everything if you are a new customer then dont give a damn just try to tie you in to rob your hard earned cash.

Rant over.

posted_2

It's called business.

kingrollo

Here is my letter to OFCOM - Feel Free to cut & paste if you wish to use.

Dear Sir,

I would be grateful if you would investigate the way the above company advertises its offers – in particular it feels that there is a difference between an offer and a discount.


History.
In November last year I was offered a deal with virgin media, which they offered me top of the range TV package , for less than I was currently paying, I asked them what the downside of the deal was, the only condition was that I must remain a virgin media customer for 12 months.

I don’t actually recall a precise date – but I then got notification of a price increase. I telephoned virgin media – but was told not to worry as I was on an offer – these prices increase wouldn’t apply (Virgin Media have since denied all knowledge of this telephone call).

Imagine my surprise , when my May bill arrived, showing the increased prices – I telephoned to ask why – and the response I got was that these prices apply to every virgin media customer – and I should never have been told otherwise .

A day later, I found amongst my emails details of the price increases – but this email stated

“Customers on 3,6, 12 month offers, will not be affected by this price until the offer ends” I telephoned virgin media again , at first they denied the existence of such an email – I sent them a copy, after much head scratching , and being passed to various departments – the dubious response I received was

“Your not on an Offer , Your on a discount”


The final response from Virgin Media was that

• The price increase will still apply to my account

• To terminate the contract I must pay £120

My Argument.

At the time in November, I received a good offer to take Sky services – I didn’t take this as the virgin media almost matched it – however I believe I was mislead in signing up to a 12 month deal – which the prices are adjusted upwards soon afterwards (although Virgin Media have said this in the terms and conditions, I still believe this offer was misleading)

The email of March 2009 – I believe misleads further – when it says that customers on current offers won’t be affected by the price rise. Then the highly dubious claim that I am on a discount for 12 months – not an offer. Legally I don’t believe there is any difference between a discount and an offer (AND I AM PREPARED TO GO TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT ON THIS POINT) – and even if there is – it is clear here the intention is to mislead customers – that the price rise won’t affect them – and hoping they don’t notice when it does.

A quick trawl of the internet – reveals that many people have been told or believe they their charges won’t increase – but then the bills come through at the higher prices.

Anyone who signs up for a deal lasting 12 months, I believe is under the impression that those prices will be held for 12 months – (or else what is the point) – Virgin Media want to be able to hike price – but then also want to charge me £120 to leave – stating that I have broke the contract – surely they can’t have it both ways.

Resolution.

• I believe that I should still have the right to change my service provider without incurring a breach of contract charge £120
• I feel I should be compensated by Virgin Media – for the time taken on this matter – and they should at least offer – to stand by the prices offered last November.
• I would be grateful if you could advise, the process for legally challenging virgin media’s terminology – that a discount is different to an offer.

Please let me know if you need any more information.


Yours Faithfully

kingrollo

Just had a phone call from virgin media 100% captilution - anyone on a discount or an offer - shouldn't be affected by the price rise. 2 months free TV & Broadband - and prices back to pre april after that. - So if your charges have gone up - get on the phone - as I have a feeling unless you complain - you will pay the higher price.

M4RKM

at least you got what you wanted.

i'm astonished at the bad grammar though that "virgin media" used in the email to you..

“Your not on an Offer , Your on a discount”

obviously should read

You're not on an offer, you're on a discount.

no need for the capitals, a space before the comma, and also, it is definitely a you're, not a your..

big companies like "virgin media" need to learn how to use the english language correctly.



M