Pensioner paying amazing mobile costs!!

Guys_Dad

philgadd wrote: »

Surely the supplier has a 'duty of care' to its senior customers, hence a phone call to him 10 months ago to offer a change of tariff would have saved him 1100 quid?

Just read into this thread. Obviously, with my late father in law having had a stroke some time ago, I am sympathetic to your predicament and to the fact that it takes relatives a little time to realise that the stroke has affected victims' actions in the way you describe. Been there so understand.

One point, though, is that I can not recall ever being asked my age when getting a contract or sim-only deal, so, how would Virgin billing centre have known he was a senior citizen to whom they owed a special duty of care?

Certainly, they can, retrospectively, make a reduction and change his tariff, but I can't go with you on the point you made above. Sorry.

grumbler

Guys_Dad wrote: »

...
One point, though, is that I can not recall ever being asked my age when getting a contract or sim-only deal,...

I have to disagree. For all contracts, including sim-only you have to give all your details, including the DOB.

It's not that I am saying that Virgin have a duty of care.

MissKeith

grumbler wrote: »

I have to disagree. For all contracts, including sim-only you have to give all your details, including the DOB.

It's not that I am saying that Virgin have a duty of care.

Unfortunately Virgin have a duty of care to not discriminate due to age too. If a person is over the age of 18, they cannot treat you any different towards other customers based on age. Basically, I agree with Guy's Dad (usual). I do have sympathy towards your father's predicament OP, I hope Virgin show some goodwill.

Guys_Dad

grumbler wrote: »

I have to disagree. For all contracts, including sim-only you have to give all your details, including the DOB.

It's not that I am saying that Virgin have a duty of care.

I never gave my age. Apart from anything, they don't need to know and with Identity theft so rife, the advice from police and government is to keep personal data disclosure to a minimum. Having said that, I have not taken out any new contracts with new networks for years, so things may have changed.

philgadd

Hi Everyone, ok I finally got a call today from Virginmobile. They have stated they will knock off his latest bill of £120 BUT he must pay off the rest of his contract for 11 months... 'Diamonds' I may try your advice thank you.

Should I accept or take this as far as I can

PS Santander just refunded another 3 charges emanating from August, fantastic hey

grumbler

What 11 months?
Was it 24 months contract or you mean 11 out of the 12 passed months?
Do they offer just to reduce the final £1200ish outstanding amount by £120? How generous of them!

philgadd

grumbler wrote: »

What 11 months?
Was it 24 months contract or you mean 11 out of the 12 passed months?
Do they offer just to reduce the final £1200ish outstanding amount by £120? How generous of them!

Actually, he has already paid the £1200 from the first 11 months, the £120 was towards septembers bill which was 150 quid again!!

Its a 24 month contract initially at £10 a month. They said could not lose out financially on the other 11 months of the contract!!!! err hello you have made £1200 already Virginmobile.

I sent an email to both MD's at virginmedia and virginmobile to raise awareness.

Who knows, I might just be able to raise awareness and get a policy or 2 changed :-)

grumbler

Do you want to terminate the contract? Otherwise, why do they want to get the remaining months paid in advance?

diamonds

I'd go whole hog, I do with someone I know to be really disabled as their cognitive function problems are a major side effect of conditions & everything gets messed up, its not thier fault its the condition. They know not to stress & tell me & I will sort it, this has improved their mental health and the knock effect on their conditions/disabilities.
Dont buy contract out, move to a plan with enough texts is you have not done so.

gillette147

Tell them how angry you are. That no warnings were sent to your elderly father.
How upset he is over this (as are you).
And threaten them with the press.

My mother got signed up to a new contract with BT. She didn't realise that she was tied in to a new 12minths and left to go to another provider.

BT charged her the rest of the 12months bill in one go (nothing like you have been charged obviously) but my mother started crying one day and she explained.

I phoned up and was very angry. They waived the charges.