Risk when negotiating broadband deals

Gorf123

We get phone/TV/broadband from Virgin (formerly NTL) and I think we're paying well over the odds for the service. The thing is, we run a small business from home that relies on phone & internet. I'm a bit concerned that if I phone to renegotiate by threatening departure, we might be left out of contact with customers for an unacceptable length of time if they call my bluff.

At the moment, the plan is to get BT to install a line and then start negotiating with Virgin, so we're not left incommunicado. But doing this reduces our options, as we won't need the existing phone line any more.

Am I being too much of a wuss: Has anyone ever had NTL tell them to "get lost" during negotiations?

Skint1

Just threaten to leave I do it every year. You don't have to leave. I pay £48.00 a month instead £70.00 odd. In the long run the choice is theirs £48 or £00.00. If you don't get what you want the first time call back and try again.

banger9365

at then of the day you can alway say "i will think about and get back to you ", that want most of us do on cable if we do not like the offer

epz_2

if you are running a business on a standard consumer lineyou really need to work out how long you can be without the line, our local cab company had ntl home line and were quoted 6 weeks to get a major line fault fixed, they had no comeback as they werent on a business line.

i would get a bt backup line{1} and not use it, its only £12 a month, as to ntl well they wouldnt cancel your account unless you specifcly ask them to and confirm it, or one of their monkeys hits the wrong button. you should be able to get a hefty discount on your bill though.

!!1} note i say bt not a second ntl one as they are totaly different networks so you can have pretty much 100% redundancy.

Gorf123

Thanks, everyone, for the replies.

The plan is to maintain the status quo until we get a BT line up at the shop, then have the number transferred there.

Then we'll kill off the complete service at home unless we get a decent deal. Even if all else fails, we can use modem (yuch) at the shop to pick up emails, and we'll just have to burn and post CDs of photos. Even though we use the internet for a lot more than that (such as moneysaving!) we could probably survive without it until some alternatives show up... :eek:

MoneyMiser

Hi,

Does anyone no what the best number to ring is to re-negociate my Virgin Media package. I've tried their 0845 numbers and left on hold for over 20mins.

Also any ideas what kind of upgrades I can get? At the moment paying £52pm for basic tv/unlimited phone/2Mb Broadband. What tactics should I use, i.e. "I'm leaving because of the Sky Channels you have just lost!!"

nomoneytoday

0800 052 9403

You will still be on hold for ages, but at least its free

skiddy2k

A few months ago, I simply called up BT and asked if they have any customer retention deals going around for Broadband... the CS adviser forwarded me to another department and they sorted me out... didnt have to say anything about leaving... didnt have an intention to leave, was quiet happy with BT.

Also, CS are great, quick at picking up phone and very helpful. Broadband service is good as well (no downtime)

carlos700

moneymiser i am on the same package as you i was wondering if i am on a good deal as i was unsure i am paying £34.95 i pay DD it used to be an extra £5 for me when i was not on DD .I got this deal about i month ago.I always ring 150 on my landline phone and press the option for if you are thinking of cancelling your services.I just tell them that i no longer can afford to pay that price and unless they can give it to me cheaper i may have to cancel.My package is for as long as i am with them was told this morning my package of £34.95 may go down to £30.95 on 1 May but has not been confirmed yet.I would definatly give them a ring and get a better deal .

carlos700

Moneymiser just noticed you are on basic tv i am on XL tv i got an upgrade to XL because we are missing sky one and sky news so they upgraded us for free that was a separate phone call i did not want to be to cheeky.Yes give them i ring it really annoys me how they can give one customer one price and rip another off .Goodluck and stand your ground your entitled to it if everybody else is getting it.

MoneyMiser

Thanks guys, I'm gonna phone them now and I'll post my results later