Do I have to pay Virgin a disconnection charge?

miss_eagle

I fear the answer will be yes, but am asking anyway.....

I have had a contract with Virgin for phone, TV and broadband for over 4 years. Earlier this year I wanted to change some of the services. To get the best deal (ie to pay the same as the advertised prices on the website for bundles rather than paying separately for all the services) I was told I would need to take out a new 12 month contract. I didn't like this, but agreed to get the better price, and at the time did not foresee a problem

However, I am now moving and need to cancel my contract, though it doesn't end until Feb 2010. I can't transfer the Virgin account to my new address as my partner already has a TV / broadband account there. I have been told I have to pay an £81 disconnection fee. Personally I think that's an outrageous sum and I am mad at having to do this after more than 4 years of having a contract with them. I realise that for them I haven't had a contract for 4+ years, but 8 months. Is there anything at all I can do about this?

Thanks

macman

It's not a disconnection charge, it's an early termination charge. You agreed a new contract, you now want to terminate early. If you can't transfer the account to your new address, then they will charge you what you would have paid until the end of the minimum term, in this case presumably £20 x 4 months.
It's the standard terms on almost all telecoms contracts.

miss_eagle

As I said, I guess I don't have a choice. In fact the services I have cost more than £20 p/m, so I suppose I should at least be grateful that I don't have to pay the full amount of the remaining contract. Also seems £81 - and the women did say 'disconnection charge'- is a completely arbitrary sum. And any lump sum is tough at the moment as I am out of work, though I can manage the usual monthly payment.

I am still as mad as anything, but I guess I am angry with myself still for agreeing to a new contract in the first place, when all I wanted to do was change services and pay their advertised price rather than an extra £15 p/m for separate services as I would have done if I had kept my existing contract.

macman

The best offers are always reserved for new customers to hook them in. The good news is that you will be free of Virgin and can get a decent ISP.

spike7451

You'll also have to return your cable boxes or you'll be billed for them.

MarkLS12

miss_eagle wrote: »

I can't transfer the Virgin account to my new address as my partner already has a TV / broadband account there.

If you partner is not in a minimum term contract, maybe they could cancel and you could transfer your account over to their address.