Virgin rip off

KittyDoc

We are moving house and Virgin cannot supply our new area. We are being £208 cancellation by Virgin because they say that the contract is with our current house and we are cancelling that, regardless of our reasons. We had downsized our media package a few months ago and didn't realise that they tied us in to a 12 month contract. W have contacted them but have been told tough. Anyone had a similar problem when moving?

davemurgatroyd

Whether you were told/informed by letter or otherwise is the only matter for argument here. If it is decided that you were in a new contract then you have no alternative but to pay the early cancellation fee as the contract is at your present address and it is not Virgin's fault that you are moving to another area where the service is not available - as numerous other threads on this forum have stated.

Generally any change of your contract enters you into a new minimum term contract.

Kurtis_Blue

KittyDoc wrote: »

We are moving house and Virgin cannot supply our new area. We are being £208 cancellation by Virgin because they say that the contract is with our current house and we are cancelling that, regardless of our reasons. We had downsized our media package a few months ago and didn't realise that they tied us in to a 12 month contract. W have contacted them but have been told tough. Anyone had a similar problem when moving?

Reducing you package does not enter you into a new contract only adding services.

http://store.virginmedia.com/the-legal-stuff/terms-and-conditions-for-fibre-optic-services.html#changing

You need to be sure of exactly what changes were made then fire off some recorded letters, anything paid should be marked paid under protest.
I wouldn't ruin my credit over, I would pay then claim it back.

[Deleted User]

KittyDoc wrote: »

We had downsized our media package a few months ago and didn't realise that they tied us in to a 12 month contract.

Did you actually reduce your package or did they offer you a retention deal of a lower price for the same package?

If you accepted a deal, it will have entered you into a new minimum term and you'll have to pay an Early Termination of Contract (ETA) fee just as they've told you.

macman

Do a forum search, this comes up several times a week-the answer does not change.

going_nowhere_fast

I changed my tv package with virgin when I used to have it and the change entered me in to a new 12 month contract. I didn't know it - they didn't tell me on the telephone, I received nothing in the post. I only found out when I wanted to cancel my package and they said I couldn't because I was tied in to a contract. I refused to pay while my complaint was reviewed - they put a late payment note on my credit file and I had to pay it because they refused to admit they were at fault.

I'm not a fan of virgin........

Buzby

Yes - you changed your services, and in return for the change your minimum term is reimposed. This is not what the OP said... He reduced his package and this does NOT trigger a fresh minimum term.

It was further your error in not paying - knowing they had your ongoing commitment - why?

They were not at fault so their late payment marker was not in error and would not be removed. Just as you are not a fan of Virgin, if you didn't pay them they were entitled to do what they did!

If they were devious or unfair, I might agree with you, but not understanding your commitment is only showing one person at fault.

[Deleted User]

Buzby wrote: »

Yes - you changed your services, and in return for the change your minimum term is reimposed. This is not what the OP said... He reduced his package and this does NOT trigger a fresh minimum term.

While this is certainly correct, the Op never returned to the thread to answer whether she had actually accepted a retention deal when she rang to reduce her package. This would explain why she too was told she was still in a minimum term.

Kurtis_Blue

" We had downsized our media package a few months ago and didn't realise that they tied us in to a 12 month contract. "

[Deleted User]

Kurtis_Blue wrote: »

" We had downsized our media package a few months ago and didn't realise that they tied us in to a 12 month contract. "

Still not clear whether this "downsize" had a retention deal attached. I doubt the OP will be back to elaborate, she hasn't even logged on again to read the responses since post #2.

Quentin

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

Still not clear whether this "downsize" had a retention deal attached. I doubt the OP will be back to elaborate, she hasn't even logged on again to read the responses since post #2.

The OP makes it clear the downsized package caused a 12 month contract. They didn't point it out at the time, hence the reason for the thread.

Logging in is not necessary to read threads!