Virgin Media Disconnection charge?

Mathev

I have recently informed Virgin Media that I wish to cancel my package. I am outside of my contract. They have told me that they will charge to disconnect their service. Also to pick up their gear. Can they legally do this? If so, how much? Your advice would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.:)

ilikewatch

If you are deifinitely outside of contract then no, they can't, and won't charge you for this. However, are you 100% sure that you are outside contract? Remember if you have made certain changes to your package then this can lock you into another contract. Have Virgin agreed with you that you are out of contract? If so then they should only charge you the period in which you have to give notice of cancellation (30 days?)

Mathev

They have made alterations but did not send through another contract. Can they lock you in to another contract even without sending you one through? Thanks

macman

Mathev wrote: »

They have made alterations but did not send through another contract. Can they lock you in to another contract even without sending you one through? Thanks

Yes they can. With VM, any alteration of your package starts you on a new contract.
A contract is a binding legal agreement, it's not a piece of paper. You have a verbal contract and have accepted that contract by using the revised service.

mrnasty

macman wrote: »

Yes they can. With VM, any alteration of your package starts you on a new contract.
A contract is a binding legal agreement, it's not a piece of paper. You have a verbal contract and have accepted that contract by using the revised service.

As sure as I am that macman wanted to help, I don't agree with that stance.

Virgin Media send out contracts regulated by the Consumer Credit Act for hire and have to allow sufficient time for you to examine the terms and conditions relating to the agreement. Section 55A consumer Credit Act 1974.

(However, a check on the OFT reveals that they may not be authorised to send out agreement for hire after the 13/01/2009 - licence number 0455657 as changes made on this date remove a number of catagories.)

As macman correctly says, a contract is a binding legal agreement, however, in order for the Virgin Media to have binded you into a further long period of contract they would have to have told you expressly (and you have agreed) that by making the changes you have requested that you are specifically entering into a new contract from that point. If they fail to do so and fail to meet the evidence needed to show that they have, they can not bind you to that (even though it is likely they will say that they can).

If you have not agreed to extend your contract explicitly agreeing to the full terms and conditions of service as you did initially and 'that' contract has now expired your only mutual obligation in my opinion is for you to recieve the service as expected and for Virgin Media to recieve your payment of that service as provided, unless Virgin Media ask you if you wish to extend or enter into a new contract.

As for the disconnection fees, the short answer in my opinion is no, they can not charge you for terminating a contract if you have not entered into a new contract and have successfully completed the last one.

Regards

FusionFury

How much is VM early disconnection charge normally?

macman

It's the full amount owing on your contract, i.e. x pounds x y months.
VM's policy of renewing your contract at the slightest change of tariff/package is well documented on here.

spike7451

If you're in contract,then yes they can charge you,if you are not then they cannot charge you disconnection.HOWEVER they CAN (and do) charge you if you fail to return the equipment (SACM/STB/Phone<if rented>) regardless if you are in or out of contract.