Virgin contract restarted after change of address

skippetyhop

Hi all,

Would appreciate some advice/comments regarding my broadband situation.

Started a contract with Virginmedia in July 2012. (Fibreoptic phone & broadband package) Contract was for 18 months.
Moved house in October 2013 and transferred the contract to my new address (same package). Only change was the address. Still fibreoptic etc. At this point Virginmedia restarted my contract meaning I was 'tied in' for another 18 months starting from October 2013.
I am now moving again and Virginmedia fibreoptic is not available at my new address so I have no option but to cancel. Virginmedia are now planning to charge me for early cancellation (around £170) as I am cancelling 'within' the 18 month contract period.
As I only changed address and the service was the same surely the contract should not have re-started. The direct debit remained the same and I didn't sign for a new contract.
I've been with them on the same package for 2 years!?!?
Thoughts?

[Deleted User]

skippetyhop wrote: »

As I only changed address and the service was the same surely the contract should not have re-started.

Virgin incurred the costs of installing services at your new address. The cable company re-coup some of this money by insisting on a new minimum term. If you want to cancel this new minimum term early then you have to pay an Early Termination of Contract (ETC) fee.

This query comes up regularly, but the answer is always the same. You'll have to pay the £170 to cancel early.

skippetyhop

Whereas I guess I knew that was probably the case, the real shame of it is I would have happily stayed with Virginmedia.
Unfortunately my new address doesn't have Virgin fibreoptitic whereas neighbours do. (and yes I did the availability check before looking at the property) Adding to this, I am literally moving 1 street away as I'm buying my new property and the location is ideal for my family.
A preferable option (for future 'movers' as obviously my ship has sailed) as the availability is so ad-hoc, could possibly be for Virginmedia to offer the option of paying for the installation - (not offered in my case) Many people would probably still take the option of not paying that extra cost, safe in the knowledge that they will not be moving in the foreseeable future but there many of us (especially renters) where that is not always the case. In my opinion it's a question that should be asked during the change of address process and highlighted to the user as a consideration.

[Deleted User]

Clearly, Virgin would prefer you to remain their customer. Paying for installation in order to avoid being tied into a new minimum term is not therefore an option, I'm afraid.

The terms and conditions of your contract are clearly laid out on Virgin's website and copies are available by post if required