Virgin Media sting in the tail

Irratus_Rusticus

I left VM after may years and, being out of contract, gave the 30 days notice. You might wonder what they do within that 30 day period of notice? Adjust the final direct debit payment maybe?

Not a bit of it.

With only three days of my notice period left, they took another full month in advance of £51.

I figured this was an oversight and they'd want to refund the balance into my bank account within a reasonable period. Say a fortnight. Why not. Being a big modern tech company and all.

After a month I rang to be told they couldn't do direct refunds (too difficult for a big modern tech company apparently) so I'd get a cheque within 35 days of end of contract.

A few weeks on and still no cheque. Rang again: "Cheque has been raised and you'll get it next week". That would be almost two months after cancellation.

A few weeks more and I ring again. "Cheque was raised a month after you ended your contract. We'll have to issue a new one".

I thought maybe I'd ask to speak to someone who might know how VM works. Manager said, "No, cheque was only raised last week and you'll get it in a fortnight." Couldn't explain why told the opposite five minutes earlier.

How many weeks does VM need to raise and send one cheque?
Why can't they just do a direct refund same way they take the money?

Obviously bunch of technology amateurs. Glossy literature, mind. Gotta feel sorry for them :grouphug:

parttimeskint

Did you have phone and broadband with them?

Like any of the companies, they can't bill in advance for calls made up to the point of being switched off and so these will come on a final adjusted bill. They have to leave the account open to manage the call charges which is why the account wouldn't have actually closed with an adjusted bill a mont later. It would be from this point that you would count the 35 days as this is when your account closed.

Hope that helps explain it a little.

rtho782

I'd have said "You billed me an amount to which you were not entitled, I am doing a DD Indemnity claim, send me an accurate bill and I'll make the final payment via another method".

skintpaul

Do d/d recall via your bank.