Telewest / Virgin Media - Grrrrrrrr

[Deleted User]

Hi All

I thought I'd tell you all my tale of woe with Telewest, now Virgin Media and reduce my stress levels!

On 10th Jan I phoned Telewest to say I was moving house on the 1st Feb and that I would like to take my services (phone and broadband) with me. I was given an installation date of 14/02 as the earliest they could do! Not really happy with this I nether the less agreed and was told that if they got an earlier slot I would be told. The bloke I spoke to on the phone to arrange this was very helpful.

Forward to the 01/02 and we arrived at our new house to be greeted with a very condesceding letter from Telewest confirming the install date and repeatedly stating that 'someone must be at the property for the install to take place' which is fair enough. Husband agreed to take day off work to allow for the install.

On the understanding that the install is going ahead I arrange to work from home on the 15/02 as I have a hospital appt. I also agree to work the last weekend in Feb to do a very important client install - also from home.

Yesterday, you'd guessed it, no-one turned up in our allotted time slot (1 - 6), I phone Telewest from work, only to be told that they had tried to contact me the previous day to tell me that they could not proceed with the install due to 'construction problems'. Well they obviously didn't try to contact me very hard, as the only phone we have at the moment is my mobile, which very handily gives you lists of missed calls and has a nice little voice mail facility! Apparently they only tried on Tuesday as well, couldn't be bothered to try on the Wednesday and only did anything when I chased to find out what was happening!

I'm currently waiting for another call back to try and resolve the situation, I've told them what I would like (installation this weekend for free and substantial reduction in monthly tariff), but have yet to hear anything. I was told that the call would be this morning, and I've already chased it and am still waiting.

I've been a Telewest customer for over 6 years and am appalled at this situation. I was told yesterday that the earliest they could fit me in was 09/03 - a whole 2 months after I first contacted them. I informed the gentleman I spoke to that seeing they hadn't kept the first appt, surely they should now come out at MY convenience not theirs!

If anyone has the address where I could get in touch with Mr Richard Branson to tell hiim what I think of his new. improved company I'd be most grateful.

BTW if you wonder how I'm typing this, I luckily borrowed a 3G card of my collegue yesterday before I left, otherwise I really would have been stuck.

Thanks for reading my little rant

Chibi