Cutting Phone, Broadband, TV etc costs

belfastgirl23

I'm getting it together to phone NTL *sorry Virgin* to query our (almost £60) phone, internet and tv bill and see if I can get it cut a bit. I was hoping to use Sky's surf speak see as an incentive. Their system asks you to input your telephone no to see if services are available in your area but can only search for BT codes and of course I currently have an NTL phone. How stupid is this huh? They're telling me to go get a BT phone and then they'll let me know if it's available. Anyway I'm in South Belfast - anyone know if this package works here? Many thanks. If not, any tips on what I might use as a comparison would be fantastic too Hopefully it's useful to other people as well.

johnnyinbelfast

I read a post in another forum from a guy who rang the retentions department and got a really good deal. I don't know if I can post links on this forum but here it is...

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=537494

If the link doesn't work - the number for the retention department is 0800 0730591. it's these guys who can give you a better deal

dollytinsle

Hi Belfastgirl - I was paying around £55 a month for my phone, broadband and TV. However I got a leaflet stating the new 3 for £30 deal - this did state for new customers only. However I gave it a chance and rang stating that I would go to BT as why should only new customers get these offers. the guy then agrred and changed me onto 3 for £30 - this is for 2mb broadband, phone and TV. Quite a good deal.......

belfastgirl23

Thanks everyone. I've been doing a good bit of surfing and hopefully will give it a go tonight or tomorrow. But still wondering if the SKY package is available in NI? anyone know?

Ex-Spendaholic

I'm sick of NT Hell. I have the 3 for £30 deal. I told them that as a customer for 7 years that there was no way I was paying more than a new customer. Anyway they agreed.

However on my last bill they charged me for 2 phone lines and 2 TV packages. I rang them and they told me that I had 2 phone lines. I told them I'd be calling in the police then as they had obviously been installing a 2nd line in my house and I certainly hadn't let them in. Anyway it was resolved and the issue allegedly finalised 2 weeks ago so I paid the amended amount.

I then get a call today from a non-english speaker demanding £129. After several calls to all and sundry I got it sorted. It's really not worth all this hassle though.

belfastgirl23

Ex-Spendaholic wrote:

I'm sick of NT Hell. I have the 3 for £30 deal. I told them that as a customer for 7 years that there was no way I was paying more than a new customer. Anyway they agreed.

However on my last bill they charged me for 2 phone lines and 2 TV packages. I rang them and they told me that I had 2 phone lines. I told them I'd be calling in the police then as they had obviously been installing a 2nd line in my house and I certainly hadn't let them in. Anyway it was resolved and the issue allegedly finalised 2 weeks ago so I paid the amended amount.

I then get a call today from a non-english speaker demanding £129. After several calls to all and sundry I got it sorted. It's really not worth all this hassle though.

I had all this too when I moved house - charged for account already in house (which they managed to transfer to my name somehow) and old account which I had presumed would follow me automatically. Red letters, threats to go to court etc. Took me to go to the regulator to get it resolved and I was in tears over it more than once (and I am a tears once a year sort of a gal!) Hopefully virgin will be better. Also though keep a close eye on the situation - NTL staff lied to me several times and said it had been sorted, then the bill would arrive again the following month

belfastgirl23

For info, I finally got up the courage to phone virgin this evening. I had been paying:
broadband M £18
Phone M +TV L £22.50
TV XL - £9
Calls - around £10

Got it down to:
Broadband M £10 (offered XL for £17.50)
TV XL £10.75
Telephone M £11


Very pleased with this, since most calls are at weekends we'll save around £20 a month. Might have done a bit better if I'd been willing to pay a bit more but main aim this time was to get costs down. Deal lasts for 6 months. Thanks again everyone. BTW the sky comparison worked for me although I had to cope with a bit drone about how their service is worse

mackers8923

Thats the way to do it.

Phone them tell them you are considering leaving NTL for another provider and you will be passed to the Retentions Department, they will look at your monthly bills and assess just how much discount they will offer.

I cut £61 a month off my bill for the next 6 months.

Everyone should be making the most of this, I'm told that the greatest length of time they will discount to is 6 months, after the 6 just ring again you won't probably get the same offer but you will get something.