Virgin Media: Haggle down your costs.

Mikeymikes

Being a longstanding Telewest customer I took the advice in the forum to ask about Telewest matching Talk Talk's offer. I was told that they werent going to match the offer. When I pointed out that they were much more expensive than talk talk I was offered to be transferred to customer relations to arrange a disconnection - something that I didnt ask for. I was really annoyed by this. They managed to turn a curious existing customer into one that is definitely considering the jump now. So I gave it an hour and tried again.

I got somebody else this time. Similar answer to above first of all but with a little less aggression - I guess the first person was fed up of similar type of calls. But they said to be aware of the hidden charges with talk talk and the fact that their broadband is capped. I have skimmed the smallprint and cant find anything to say that it is. Also, that I would have to return to BT and wouldnt be able to get talk talk for 3 months for contractual reasons.

Can anyone shed any light on this

Thanks

Mikeymikes

babblerx

* £20.99 per month for up to 8Mb (160x speed) broadband
- unlimited UK landline calls
- unlimited International calls to 28 countries
- includes phone line rental - no need to pay BT
- 40GB monthly usage allowance included (heavy user)
* Free modem for on-line orders
* £29.99 connection charge
* Single bill for broadband and phone
* Earn Nectar loyalty points on every bill
* TalkTalk are part of the Carphone Warehouse group
* This service currently has limited UK coverage and potentially long delays for broadband connection. You may be offered an alternative broadband service for an extra £9.99 a month

So there is a BB usage cap on TalkTalk, but it's 40GB/Month which should be enough for most people. Also, (for the non techies amongst you) you should be aware that when it says upto 8Mb BB, this is the theoretical maximum speed. With ADSL your connection speed is determined by your proximity to BTs nearest digital exchange. In practice, very very few people will get 8Mb (but I'd be happy to be proved wrong on this). I know a few people on ADSL and the best speed I've known is 6Mb/sec. Then again, this will be more than enough for most people. Overall, I would say for people on a BT line the TalkTalk deal seems really good.

Unfortunately, I'm currently on Telewest and paying, wait for it....£65/month!!
However, I do have 10Mb BB and am a fairly heavy user (I have to say I'm pretty happy with the Telewest service, except for the cost of course), but a quick comparison shows me I can get TalkTalk and Sky for approx £39/month, so definately some investigations/phone calls tomorrow!

babblerx

With regards people being told by their current providers that TalkTalk would put up their prices in 6 months :-

1) I saw the TalkTalk CEO being interviewed when the deal was announced, being asked how they would make a profit. He said it would take about 2 years for TalkTalk to start making any money from the deal, but they had factored all of this and would continue to offer the deal

2) Even if they did go back on that statement and put up their prices, they would still likely be cheaper than most other providers

'Nuff said!

If nothing else, I applaud them for having the balls to shake up the market...I just hope their customer service is decent. CS is a big bugbear of mine...I don't mind a few quid more if it means I'm not getting some brainless moron reading off a cue card when I ring for help. So far, I've found Telewest CS to be pretty good (even after the NTL merger!), but that may change if I ring and threaten to cancel tomorrow.

harkin_2

I would just get away from telewest as quick as you can. I recently moved house & they wanted me to sign up for a 12 month contract as well as putting the price up. They are trying to bill me for the same period at my old address & at my new address, they are also trying to bill me for an additional set top box which I have never had. I fill in their contact form, they refuse to answer half of the forms as they say I haven't supplied the password. It turns out my account doesn't have a password!

Each time they send me a bill/letter it has a different amount on it.

Customer service what exactly does this mean to Telewest? Maybe overcharging customers & issuing incorrect bills. I also think that it is worth comparing Talk Talks Terms & conditions to Telewests it makes interesting reading. I sincerely hope that Talk Talk is a great success as Telewest are a shoddy company and I regret dealing with them. Also as you article points out Telewest are only offering to make reductions because of Talk Talk, so if you can get out of your contract with Telewest I would.

horrible

c_smith wrote:

I tried it with Telewest last week. Phoned them up and told them I was considering moving to Talk Talk and enquired about how much notice I would have to give them, etc. I wasn't offered anything to stay, so I'm now seriously thinking about phoning up and giving them 30 days notice of cancelling my services.

I've been with them for 3 years and have phone, broadband and TV packages totalling £47 a month before I make any calls. I use call1899 for my calls as Telewest are too expensive. I've always found their services to be reliable, but they are just becoming too expensive now.

I have my phone and broadband with Telewest and after asking to close the account I was referred to the disconnections team and after asking why I was leaving offered the next higher broadband deal, the cheap mobile and international call packages for free, and this was without really trying.............go for it!!.

allan_2

When calling telewest it is also a good idea to mention that you are considering getting a freeview box. When I did this they imediately took £30 off my bill (as this was the cost of a freeview box).
After a bit more pushing saying that I could see new customers could get the three for £30 offer and i felt that i was being persecuted for being a loyal customer they gave me the 3 for £30 offer, therefore basic tv package, 2 mb BB + phone with free weekend calls saving £14 a month /£168 for the year. Happy days! :beer:

ben_edwards2612

Can anyone comment on whether the deals offered are available to customers still in a 12 month contract? Is there any welly behind the threat of cancellation or am I definately tied in for 12 months?

cheers,

Ben.

linuxsapien

See, it just takes a little bit of friendly banter.. so what am I on now..

telephone linerental + 24TU
10MB broadband
digital tv + family pack
£31.75 (thought she said .99, but its not)

excuse me, but, thats just a great deal for me! its only 1.75 extra for a HUGE boost to my services! The lovely lass knew i had been a customer for a very long time, so best just to keep me happy

Heres hoping they forget to take off the other discounts, shall see on the next bill :rotfl:

Reaper

ben_edwards2612 wrote:

Can anyone comment on whether the deals offered are available to customers still in a 12 month contract?

About a year ago I tried to negotiate forgetting I was still within my 12 months. No dice, they wouldn't even put me through to retentions. Think you'll have to wait.

macca64

Currently paying £17.99 for 2MB broadband and £10.50 for line rental = £28.49

Mentioned the Talk Talk offer, but only got offered £3 per month discount for 6 months = £18 saving.

Was told I'd be able to get a better deal if I had TV with them as well, but currently with Sky. They did say phone back in 6 months to check what offers are on then.