Virgin talk unlimited, be aware of 14p connection charge if you press 1471

Battybird

I asked my son to change my Virgin account to paperless billing, and he looked at our bill online. He noticed that for local numbers, we had been charged a 14p connection charge.

I phoned Virgin, and I was told that if you connect by phoning 1471 then pressing 3, you are charged to connect. :mad::mad::mad:

If you press 1471 on your phone and listen to the message, it does actually say after telling you to press 3 "just so you know there may be a charge for returning a call." I'd never noticed this before as just pressed 3 to return the call.

I think Virgin should put the fact of this charge in big writing on their bills. :mad::mad::mad:

jhp

You yourself admit they do tell you if you listen to announcement.


"Last Number Recall: Where a charge applies for using 1471 the cost is 16.34 pence, plus the standard call connection and pence per minute rates. You will hear an announcement when you dial 1471 if this charge applies"


http://store.virginmedia.com/phone/phone-fibre-optic/about-virgin-media-fibre-optic/calling-features.html

They also tell you again in their call charge section.

"Calling 1471 is free, but if you choose to return the call (that's Option 3) you will be charged 16.34p, in addition to your call charges - just listen to the announcement carefully."

Battybird

jhp, I should imagine that lots of people are not aware as just press 3 and don't realise there is a longer message.

And the message states there "may" be a charge for returning a call. Maybe they should change it to there "is" a charge for returning a call.

jhp

Battybird wrote: »

jhp, I should imagine that lots of people are not aware as just press 3 and don't realise there is a longer message.

And the message states there "may" be a charge for returning a call. Maybe they should change it to there "is" a charge for returning a call.

I think your find all landline suppliers charge for this sort of service where call is set up using 1471 . I understand VM dont list calls under 50p on bill so you only pick it up on online billing.

Ich_2

As far as I can recall BT have always made a charge for this since day 1 of the service, so why should any other provider be different?

Battybird

Ich wrote: »

As far as I can recall BT have always made a charge for this since day 1 of the service, so why should any other provider be different?

Because we pay for Virgin Talk Unlimited, we get unlimited calls to Uk landlines, so never gave it a thought that 1471 wasn't included.

I actually used 1471 a lot to keep in touch with an elderly neighbour, with lots of health problems. If she needs us, or a chat, I told her to ring our phone a few times and I'd phone her back, then it won't cost her to phone, as ours was already paid for, or so I thought.

flexrider

Ex VM customer (Cant stand em you can see many posts made by people here on them) BUt why would you be so bothered over 14p anyway there ridiculous lousy VM anyway. sorry worst company ever and god help the NHS when it gets turned into Virgin health

Battybird

flexrider wrote: »

Ex VM customer (Cant stand em you can see many posts made by people here on them) BUt why would you be so bothered over 14p anyway there ridiculous lousy VM anyway. sorry worst company ever and god help the NHS when it gets turned into Virgin health

The last month bill was 9 x 14p. Other months, and years, it may have been a lot more,

flexrider

Battybird wrote: »

The last month bill was 9 x 14p. Other months, and years, it may have been a lot more,

Well all companies do it including VM dont forget the VAT charges now in place on mostly everything from food to telephones and landlines so better to check your bills just the same as that really

I don't think there is anyone who can help you if you feel ms-charged contact Of com and raise a complaint

cheers

Buzby

Have to say, I have nothing but praise for their service, but it is pretty naive to believe 1471 would be free, especially as even with BT and the unlimited package, calls that YOU DO NOT DIAL YOURSELF will be charged and not inclusive.

As to your neighbour, a memory dial slot on your phone will do it for free. Another gotcha, is if you divert your phone to another local number, this will be charged too - as you don't dial it yourself.

jhp

Buzby wrote: »

Another gotcha, is if you divert your phone to another local number, this will be charged too - as you don't dial it yourself.

Yet VM Landline Calls diverted to Virgin Mobile numbers in the UK are not chargable up to 60 minutes, if you have the appropriate inclusive bundle providing the mobile number has been active in the previous 90 days (i.e. a chargeable call, text or data session has been made).