Virgin (NTL) Cable Broadband for a Student House

inamabilis

So, as the title suggests, I'm looking at getting Virgin (formerly NTL) cable broadband for my student house next month.
I was just wondering has anybody had any luck in getting out of their 12 month contracts - since we're only living there for 9 months.

I've just called them and they said it was not possible, but in my experience with a lot of companies it depends who you talk to - so I'm asking you guys!

Thanks a lot

George

Stubert

I've had friends in the past who have signed up with 9 month contracts to NTlL. But that was NTL and not virgin media. Since Virgin has taken over its been all about money money money (premium rate phone numbers for example).

Outside my union last year NTL had a stall and I'm fairly sure they were offering 9 month contracts then.

Chesca

I've been with virgin media (was telewest when I signed up) since last September and I asked about student based contracts and they said they didn't do them. I'm living in the same house again this year and even though I haven't been staying at the house through summer, I've had to keep paying £14.99 a month in case we decided to keep them as our provider, which is a pain. Turns out we could be changing now anyway.

inamabilis

Chesca wrote: »

I've had to keep paying £14.99 a month in case we decided to keep them as our provider, which is a pain.

Why in case you decide to keep them? We're you out of your contract? could you not disconnect then reconnect?

George

celyn90

I've just moved house and Virgin media don't offer a service in the flat I've moved in to - so I had 10 months of a 12 month phone/broadband contract then had to leave. Phoned yesterday - £80 release fee plus 30 days notice (extra fee of £20) to leave them. Not happy. They said they can provide broadband only ASDL via a BT line for 14.99 a month in my new flat (another 12 month contract, so I would pay BT for phone and Virgin media for broadband), the the £100 would be reimbursed. Not decided yet as I don't really want to stay with them now - I'd have taken the line with me if I could, but they can't provide. best of luck, but I wouldn't risk it with them, you must be able to get a better package with someone else when you take these extra fees into account. cel x

Chesca

That's why I didn't disconnect from Virgin Media because I thought there might be a charge for that. It's happened to friends in the past.

CrispyUK

Virgin (then Telewest) offered a student option where you could pay 9 months full price and pay off the remaining 3 months at £5 month when we signed up last summer, this may have changed now with the merger.

As they were so late installing it we only actually needed it for 8 months before moving out, so we had the £15 plus another months service when we terminated the contract - they actually messed up the final bill though and it only came to about £16, I wasn't complaining!

One thing that did annoy me was the final bill said it would be collected by Direct Debit on xx date, shortly after that date passed they hadn't collected it by DD and I got an outstanding balance letter followed by their threat of recording a default on my record and passing the debt to a collection agency a couple of days after I'd paid it 'manually'

iNFLUENCE_2

The only way I can suggest is the following: when your moving out, call Virgin and explain your moving house (the person who's name the contact is in needs to do this) and say your moving. Now mkae sure the place where you SAY your moving too CANNOT can Virgin services. This voids the contract as they cannot provide services to you and thus ou dont have to pay

CrispyUK

Another option (if you have Virgin and your 'home' address and it's outside the minimum contract) - technically you could get it cancelled at home, and 'move' your uni service to your home address - this shouldn't incur any costs as long as it's timed right (ie. 30 days notice both addresses) - it's hassle though for both you and them, so if you just suggested you might do that on the phone they might let you disconnect early without any penalties - either way they'd be a customer down but I guess a disconnect is easier from them than a disconnect + relocation of services.

I never tried this though so it's all theory!