Virgin Media - Service charge gone up

honeyD

Hi, Ive been on a deal with Virgin Media since September 08.
I chose this deal because I only wanted the phone and broadband and it was cheap. The deal is £4.50 for size M broadband with a phoneline for £11, so £15.50 a month and £16.50 with paper bill.
Today I received my new bill for the month covering 19 May to 18 June and the charges have gone up and the base charge is £19.40.
Ive not received any letters from them regarding this change, but it seems the price of the broadband has gone up from £18 to £20 and they are charging me near to £3 more than usual.
The only change we have made to the service is the FREE upgrade from 2MB to 10MB that they have been offering to all of their customers.
My deal isnt over yet so surely they cant just change the prices whenever they want?
I got this one because it was cheap and I couldnt afford more!
I think Im even being charged twice for paper billing! :mad:

donnac2558

Phone them up and find out why you are being charged extra.

staffie1

honeyD wrote: »

My deal isnt over yet so surely they cant just change the prices whenever they want?
I got this one because it was cheap and I couldnt afford more!

Yeah they can. If you refer back to the terms and conditions of the contract, you will probably find that there is a clause stating that they reserve the right to amend their charges at any time, after giving notice. The notice was probably an insert with a statement sent at some point, or an item of seemingly junk mail which, lets face it, most of us don't bother to read and just sling in the bin, or an email, etc.

I hate these 'creeping' price increases but it's what they all do in the end - entice you in with an "offer" too good to miss, then when you're safely bound into the contract, they systematically hike up the prices. This is why long contracts are not a good idea.

honeyD

staffie1 wrote: »

Yeah they can. If you refer back to the terms and conditions of the contract, you will probably find that there is a clause stating that they reserve the right to amend their charges at any time, after giving notice. The notice was probably an insert with a statement sent at some point, or an item of seemingly junk mail which, lets face it, most of us don't bother to read and just sling in the bin, or an email, etc.

I hate these 'creeping' price increases but it's what they all do in the end - entice you in with an "offer" too good to miss, then when you're safely bound into the contract, they systematically hike up the prices. This is why long contracts are not a good idea.

Hi, I have never received any information to say the charge is going up, nothing at all. I look at everything I receive and the only thing Ive had from them is leaflets about their free broadband upgrades. It doesnt seem fair that they can just do this! Im sure they wouldnt like me just choosing to pay £2 less every month!
I have also calculated and I AM being charged twice for paper billing. £15.50 (plus £1 extra for paper bill) is what I used to pay, so with the £2 extra charge and new price of £1.25 for paper bills that should only be £18.75 and their bill shows £19.75!

soul619

its in there there terms and conditions that they can increase the charges at any time, as long as they post the letters there not responsible for them getting to u, i no it stinks!

staffie1

As soul619 says, it stinks! But they can and do increase the charges. There will certainly be a clause in the T&C allowing them to do this.
As far as being charged twice is concerned, well obviously they should not be doing that and you need to write a letter of complaint and demand that you are refunded what you shouldn't have paid. I have experience of VM, and it seems that if they don't want you to do something (e.g. have paper statements) they will hit you in the pocket, hoping that you just switch off paper statements to save the hassle. I'm not saying they are dishonest, but it makes you wonder sometimes.

MORPH3US

Yes they are allowed to increase the prices when they choose, but (IIRC) you can also cancel (within your contracted period) if they choose to do so.

I would ring them up and have it out with them. Tell them that you want to cancel because they have put the prices up and since its adversely affected you then you will be doing so with no penalty.

They will lie and tell you it can't be done but just keep going until they agree or tell you to p*ss off (in which case contact TS).

soul619

or you could just email them there own terms an conditions an then say ok lie to me now

star1_2

soul619 wrote: »

its in there there terms and conditions that they can increase the charges at any time, as long as they post the letters there not responsible for them getting to u, i no it stinks!

My Bill's gone up too .... I did'nt receive a letter from VM either ....

I've just called them and logged it as a compaint, apparently CS will write to me about it .... also (seriously) contemplating leaving .... as I can get the same package of channels/BB and phone for less with Sky !!

honeyD

star1 wrote: »

My Bill's gone up too .... I did'nt receive a letter from VM either ....

I've just called them and logged it as a compaint, apparently CS will write to me about it .... also (seriously) contemplating leaving .... as I can get the same package of channels/BB and phone for less with Sky !!

I will be calling to complain tomorrow and to ask for a recalculation since Im being charged twice for the same thing and I will switch to ebills too I think.
I guess I will stay with Virgin Media since I dont think I can get a cheaper deal anywhere else.

Saeed

Yup, my brothers had his bill increase from £10 per month for 2MB internet with paper bill to £11.25. Thought they couldn't do this as he still has 2 months of the 12 month contract to run, but got told they can by a VM customer services. Don't know if they were telling the truth or not though.