VirgineMedia Bill Penalty

jedski123

Not only do I think it is outragous and a scandal that services and utility companies are charging the customer for sending an Invoice (£1.50 from VirginMedia) but now I am being penalized for being 2 days late paying my Bill. My present bill with VirginMedia for TV and BB is £54 per month, recently I was 2 days late in paying the bill and incurred a £10 late payment penalty, this is around 20% of my present bill, this is an Internet Service Provider, is the Late payment penalty Legal???

victor2

It's probably buried in the terms & conditions somewhere, so is perfectly legal. Just like credit card companies charge you if you're late with a payment.

jedski123

So if it is in their terms of service etc I should be able to request 'justification' of the charges..?

Buzby

Perfectly legal. As long as they state this is their terms of business, and don't simply apply it on a whim. This has been part of heir T&Cs for at least 4 years, and has massively improved their cash flow. You have only around 21 days to pay in full from the bill first being generated, after this not only does the fee apply BUT they report the non payment to their CRA which - as a non-credit transaction - to my mind is a complete abuse of he system.

Buzby

jedski123 wrote: »

So if it is in their terms of service etc I should be able to request 'justification' of the charges..?

No. You already agreed to it, having the choice to accept or decline. If the justification was stated as improving their cash flow - how does this assist you?

jedski123

21 days you say, the penalty came 2 days after the Bill date, and considering we pay UPFRONT for services this is before I have used the service..
So let me get this straight, I have to pay them to send me an Invoice, and I have to pay a penalty if I don't pay a bill for services I have not yet used.. I wonder how I would cope if I did this to my customers... :-(
**As a solicitor once told me when I reclaimed from the Banks.. 'just because it is in the terms & conditions' doesn't necessarily mean it is legal.

mazza111

jedski123 wrote: »

21 days you say, the penalty came 2 days after the Bill date, and considering we pay UPFRONT for services this is before I have used the service..
So let me get this straight, I have to pay them to send me an Invoice, and I have to pay a penalty if I don't pay a bill for services I have not yet used.. I wonder how I would cope if I did this to my customers... :-(
**As a solicitor once told me when I reclaimed from the Banks.. 'just because it is in the terms & conditions' doesn't necessarily mean it is legal.

You choose to have a paper invoice. Would it not be cheaper to be ebilled, then you can print it out should you require a paper copy?

The bill date is always about 2 weeks before the payment date is due. If it's due a couple of days before your monthly pay day, you can always change your billing day (although I don't believe they can change it in the first month you're with them)


You only pay for your services upfront. Not the call charges. These are the terms and conditions you agree to when you take up the services.

Most of the time, calling VM and speaking to them about it, can result in the charge being waived, but usually only if it's the first time it's happened. Most companies will charge a late payment fee, whether it be a catalogue, credit card etc.

jb66

you were late, so got charged... dont be late

Buzby

You do not get billed the fee 2 days after the bill is produced. That charge is for the PREVIOUS month. The following month will show the charge if the entire balance is not cleared.

As to your other comments, sure, you are billed for rental in advance, but for services in arrears, but as this forms the basis of the contract, the fact you dislike it, leave. However, since this is the way the entire industry works, there's nowhere else to go.

As to your solicitor's comment. BT was taken to court for this very issue, BY a solicitor - and she lost. The resultant crowing from BT that their charges were vindicated could not have escaped you?