Virgin Media retention deals (post your haggling successes)

Anon

faddy wrote: »

I seem to remember reading of people switching Sky into a partner's name, getting accepted but cashback then being declined when Sky spotted what they'd done - I wonder if there's a danger of the same thing with VM?

As a variation on this I'm wondering about taking over my son's account although we live at different addresses. Presumably I'd have to tell VM I was moving to his address (since I wouldn't pass the credit check unless I give my actual address as well) and hope they didn't query the same surname. Another concern is how having another address reported to the CRAs would affect my credit rating.

If you take over someone else's account, there is an admin fee and a new contract starts. If they are not on a spectacular deal (and assuming VM would let you keep that deal) there is no point, you may as well go for a new customer deal? Also if you took over your sons deal at his address you wouldn't have services at your current address, as it is cabled (not like Sky where you may be able to use the box at a different property).

faddy

Anon wrote: »

If you take over someone else's account, there is an admin fee and a new contract starts. If they are not on a spectacular deal (and assuming VM would let you keep that deal) there is no point, you may as well go for a new customer deal? Also if you took over your sons deal at his address you wouldn't have services at your current address, as it is cabled (not like Sky where you may be able to use the box at a different property).

I didn't explain myself well in that post. I'm trying to save my son money on his VM service, so I'm thinking about taking it over in my name as a new customer, so not taking over his account as such. As I don't live at his address it looks as though at signup I'd have to say I was moving there.

BigTezza

I'm on 100Mb, Fun TV and Talk Weekends - although I never use the home phone for outgoing calls anymore. I currently pay £32pm plus £17pm line rental which I pay in one chunk each July (works out to just shy of £200). My contract expires at the end of April so I thought I'd have my first stab at getting a better deal from VM today - I shouldn't have bothered!!

I was told that due to 'loyalty' discounts ending this month as well, the package price exc line rental is due to rise to £37. So much for loyalty then. To keep my current package they could offer me a 'deal' of £42pm which includes BT Sports for 6 months. Add on the line rental and it comes to around £58pm. I mentioned a current BT deal of 52Mb broadband, nice channels etc for £37pm INC line rental and the agent just said "We can't get near that." My Maths isn't what it was but it seems to me that to stay loyal to VM with my current package not being improved would cost me more than I currently pay. That's the strangest concept of loyalty I've come across.

Has anyone had similar? Do the deals get better if you leave it a while and call closer to expiration time? Disappointed is an understatement

Anon

BigTezza wrote: »

I'm on 100Mb, Fun TV and Talk Weekends - although I never use the home phone for outgoing calls anymore. I currently pay £32pm plus £17pm line rental which I pay in one chunk each July (works out to just shy of £200). My contract expires at the end of April so I thought I'd have my first stab at getting a better deal from VM today - I shouldn't have bothered!!

I was told that due to 'loyalty' discounts ending this month as well, the package price exc line rental is due to rise to £37. So much for loyalty then. To keep my current package they could offer me a 'deal' of £42pm which includes BT Sports for 6 months. Add on the line rental and it comes to around £58pm. I mentioned a current BT deal of 52Mb broadband, nice channels etc for £37pm INC line rental and the agent just said "We can't get near that." My Maths isn't what it was but it seems to me that to stay loyal to VM with my current package not being improved would cost me more than I currently pay. That's the strangest concept of loyalty I've come across.

Has anyone had similar? Do the deals get better if you leave it a while and call closer to expiration time? Disappointed is an understatement

You are unlikely to get the best deals from the inbound team (ie the people you call). Most success reported online is where people have given notice and then waited for the outbound team to call (with the best deals normally when an order has been placed with another provider to transfer the number out).

Anon

faddy wrote: »

I didn't explain myself well in that post. I'm trying to save my son money on his VM service, so I'm thinking about taking it over in my name as a new customer, so not taking over his account as such. As I don't live at his address it looks as though at signup I'd have to say I was moving there.

Yes that may work but you will have a credit check for you at his address and it will then be linked on your credit file.

BigTezza

Anon wrote: »

You are unlikely to get the best deals from the inbound team (ie the people you call). Most success reported online is where people have given notice and then waited for the outbound team to call (with the best deals normally when an order has been placed with another provider to transfer the number out).

I can see what you mean but isn't that a rather dangerous game of chicken to play? I don't really want to move and can't risk VM calling my bluff and me ending up with no Internet as I sometimes use it to connect to the office. Having said that, my brother recently switched as he moved to a non-VM area and even on the day of moving he had people from VM overseas calling and begging him to stay!! Tricky isn't it

faddy

Anon wrote: »

Yes that may work but you will have a credit check for you at his address and it will then be linked on your credit file.

I imagine the search would be done for my address (as I'd be saying I was moving at a future date) but the ongoing reporting would be for his address. I'll ask on the Credit File & Ratings board to see how much of a hit that would be.

tay14

Wrong section sorry.

BigTezza

OK, so I tried Retentions and asked to cancel. The best deal they could offer was to let my monthly payment rise to £36 when the next loyalty discount expires in a few weeks and they would give me a one-off £30 off my next bill and BTSports for 6 months. I think they can do better, especially as most new deals seem to include line rental and that adds £17pm to my deal. The lady did try and sell me on the broadband speed, which I grant you is far better than anything else in my area but that seems to be their sole bargaining chip. I booked a cancellation.......and I now wait.........

onejontwo

BigTezza wrote: »

I can see what you mean but isn't that a rather dangerous game of chicken to play? I don't really want to move and can't risk VM calling my bluff and me ending up with no Internet as I sometimes use it to connect to the office. Having said that, my brother recently switched as he moved to a non-VM area and even on the day of moving he had people from VM overseas calling and begging him to stay!! Tricky isn't it

You can always cancel the cancellation if your nerve goes and you're approaching the deadline.