MSE News: Virgin Media customers face 6.7% price hike

diamonds

So each time this company sells prices go up many times, Liberty is doing that....taking liberties!

Cricri

A bit late on that, but here is my experience:
- Currently paying £33.6 for the lowest BB+TV+phone package (I wouldn't pay extra to get more moronic TV channels, few dozens is already more than I need!).
- Got a letter last month telling me this would go up £3pm...
- ... BUT I would be getting a free BB speed upgrade. Errr, no, that's a compulsory £3pm BB speed upgrade mate!
- Talked to the missus about that: she asked if I can get a cheaper deal elsewhere. Errr, no, Sky is more expensive, and BT/Talk is crap. So we agreed that the best option was to bend over and take it.
- Didn't know about the yearly line rental paid in advance deal at £120. Checked the website and they said that it was £128 to save £68 per month. Doh! Too late I thought, should have taken care of that when I read the letter and check MSE right away!
- So anyway, I thought paying £128 and saving £68 is not as good as paying £120 and saving £8 more, but still better than paying full whack monthly. So I called anyway. And when I asked to get line rental saver, they told me that they would debit my card for... £120! Woohoo, go right ahead I said.

So the main thing here is that I wish I new about line rental saver earlier as I've been with Virgin fore many years, and if you are lukewarm about the deal solely because their website says it's £128, you should call them anyway as you might still get the £120 deal like I did.

ic

I rang Virgin and spoke to retentions. I downgraded from M+ to M TV, otherwise retaining weekend phone and 30Mb broadband. My price was due to increase by £10.50 in Feb (end of £6 loyalty discount and increase of £4.50), and instead I've saved £5 on what I'm paying now (includes a £3 loyalty discount that runs for 18 months).

samwich1979

Well i am not sure what Virgin Media are playing at but they have agreed to end my contract for TV, phone and BB as a "gesture of goodwill" as they could have charged me £180 for the remainder of the contract!! Apparently this is because the Ofcom rule doesnt come in until January 2014.

Now forgive me if im wrong but my letter says you can cancel with no penalty if you do not agree with the price increase, it says nothing about it being a gesture of goodwill.

Are they having a laugh or what?

Nidge

I spoke to SWMBO about keeping the BB, but ditching home phone and the TiVo box.

She's happy to ditch the phone, but would like to keep the TiVo as she really likes it (as do I if I'm honest).

We took out 60Mb BB, M+ TV & basic phone line and were paying £46 per month.

I say "were", because I upped to 120 meg BB last month (extra £7.50 per month I think).

So, I'll ring them to cancel the phone, I wonder how much our bill will reduce by?

Nidge

Hmmm-I've just got off of the phone to VM after a conversation about ditching our phone line.

Our current package (back on 60Mb BB) is £45.99, for BB, M+ TV & basic phone line.

The lady said that if I wanted to cancel the phone line, it would then be £46.99 for just the BB & TV. :huh:

She also said that the 'cancel penalty free' scenario, only applies of you're cancelling the whole contract and leaving altogether.

She did offer me a "deal", which would keep our current phone line, TV & BB package, but instead of the current £45.99 we pay (that will go up to £51per month), we would pay £41.99 per month for all 3 and agree to a new 12 month contract.

How can ditching a £15 phone line from a £46 package, end up costing £46.99?

It's hard work isn't it?

Not sure what to do now, is £41.99 per month a good deal for phone, M+TV & 60 meg BB?

anotheruser

I would love to leave Virgin Media but unless someone can tell me where to get 30MB BB only for £15.50 a month, then I am all ears!

I'm lucky as this price rise shouldn't affect me.

VfM4meplse

Have just had the email through announcing the £4.50 pm increase - am really annoyed as its becoming a regular occurrence. If there is a positive, its that it forces me to review the service.

I'm a heavy internet user and need it for work purposes. I have found VM to provide a responsive IT support function and that is one reason I haven't changed - can anyone comment on this service from other providers?

Stooby2

I rang and complained as the only reason for this increase (in my view) is to pay for BT sport which I don't watch or need.

I got the increase waived for 6 months and upgraded to a Tivo Box for nothing. I have been with the company since they were Cableinet and find they can be quite generous with long time customers.

DRP

I'm new to Virgin, having only signed up in October.

I've just received a £3 pcm increase letter - in the t&c on the reverse it states that "if you do not wish to be bound by these changes you can cancel your contract with us without penalty"

Is it that simple? I'd rather they just waive the increase tbh...