Virgin PAYG - the dangers of inertia

br1anstorm

Just a cautionary tale for anyone else who may be in a similar position...

We have been with Virgin Mobile for at least 8 or 9 years, since their early days (when operators were few, tariff options limited, and "bundles" unheard of). We had unlocked phones and initially signed up to their PAYG tariff. Soon thereafter we took up the option offered by Virgin to pay by Direct Debit, and our call-charges were thus debited each month.

We never became heavy users (mostly calls, occasional texts, no internet). So our bills averaged around £10 each per month, with the odd higher bill if roaming abroad.

Recently I have got an (unlocked) smartphone with the aim of accessing emails and the internet when away from home, so have been trying to navigate the jungle of tariffs, bundles and packages now on offer. Stilll likely to remain a fairly light user, and preferring to stay PAYG, options like Three's 3-2-1, Delight's similar deal (though their service-quality seems iffy) or Giff-Gaff head my shortlist.

To compare, I have been trying to nail down exactly what the Virgin PAYG tariff I'm on is actually charging. It's like chasing a mirage across their website. I think we were - or are - on their "Original PAYG" tariff - but nowhere on the site does it list the call-charges. Some forums suggest this tariff was renamed "Pay by DD" (which is how my account is labelled). But there is no tariff table on the Virgin site that I can find. One useful comparison site (mobilenetworkcomparison.org.uk) lists the "Virgin PAYG" charges as 26p/12p/£1. Another forum I found suggests the "Pay by DD" charges are 21p calls to Virgin numbers, 36p to other networks, texts 13p/4p, and no indication of data cost!

It is alarmingly clear that whatever the Virgin PAYG tariff, if you don't get into bundles and all that, the costs-per-call or text are extortionate compared to the competition. A salutary warning which may be of interest to others. I have learned the lesson that inertia can be expensive. Very soon I'll be switching to a very much cheaper and better value provider. Just have to decide which one!

jb66

A virgin 30 day contract is good value

Diesel44

Not sure if this helps -
http://store.virginmedia.com/virgin-media-mobile/pay-as-you-go/call-charges.html

AndyPK

The easy way to find out the charges are to dial 789 (from your mobile)
then press 3 then 1 I think. Be careful as another press will change your tariff!

The problem is there are lots of tariffs with virgin depending when you joined.

e.g 16p per min
or 25p landlines and 41p to mobiles texts are 10/12p
The latest tariffs seam to be 35p min.

Data is charged at £1 per every day if you use it that day.



You would be very wise to get a virgin sim only deal.
And pay £5 or £8 per month.

This will give you some minutes, texts and data.

br1anstorm

Thanks to AndyPK for that tip - which rather confirms my impression that Virgin has been running a huge range of different tariffs. Not sure I want to run the risk of inadvertently switching by pressing the wrong button.

And Diesel44 - kind of you to take the trouble! In fact I'd looked at that webpage more than once, and at the links listed. It's about as close as I got to an answer. But no cigar.

The introductory header on that page refers to both the "Original PAYG" and "Pay by DD" tariffs. But then the listed details refer only to the "Big Talk/Text" packages, and the "Starter", "Addict" and "Simply 8" rates - which all differ from each other and are definitely not what I'm on. There is no table showing what the charges are for original PAYG or Pay by DD.

I'm not losing any sleep over it. Looks as if the cheapest Virgin SIM-only deal, if like me you don't have their cable, TV or broadband, is the 30-day rolling one at £10 per month (250mins, u/l texts, 250MB) - which I guess is what jb66 was suggesting. You only get the £5 or £8 options if you have other Virgin Media products.

I think we'll try out GiffGaff or Three's 3-2-1 PAYG for a month or two and see how the actual monthly cost on them compares with the £10 deal from Virgin.

AndyPK

It's certainly worth dialling 789

I think u have to confirm a tarif change. I'm just warning you. You might be surprised at the rates.

Virgin change their minds about deals involving their non cable customers so check it again in a few months