Anyone got Virgin Media TV??

pink21star

I'm new to this site and have arrived here in desperation following several months of bad experiences with VM. I have 2 phone lines, broadband and tv package with them at a cost of £64.20 plus £5 payment handling charge- are they charging me for paying by DD?! = £69.20 per mth.

For the last 6 mths I have rung them repeatedly and endured lengthy, painful discussions about the late fee charge they have added because, for some reason, they cancelled my DD, yet each time I call they tell me the DD is fine and the payment will go through ok next mth. This mth was the last straw. Yet agin, they charged a late fee and yet again I was billed for 2 months. I was in hospital following a car accident and, as I am self employed and have now had 5 weeks off work I called, again, to complain. A nice guy accepted the error was theirs (finally!!), reimbursed me the £40 of late fee charges and transferred me to another dept, as he suggested I could spread the £200 bill to make it easier whilst I recovered. However, a stroppy woman, that I waited nearly 10 mins to speak to, told me that it was my fault "You are sent a statement and it's your responsibility to look at it" Again, I explained that I had been in hospital and that the other dept had suggested an easy payment option, to which she replied that if I chose that route then my service would be restricted to incoming calls only!!! So, with no choice, I paid the full amount.

GUESS WHAT!! This months bill arrived on Thursday- they have ADDED the £40.

I've had enough! But I need help please. I've done some research- keep in mind that this new to me and all seems like a minefield - and it seems I can go nowhere as my phone line is cable. Is that right? Am I tied to Virgin forever? Is it possible for me to switch the phone line back to BT? In which case, is it going to cost me more than I'm paying now? I would be grateful for some ideas please, before I resort to carrier pigeon for communication and playing cards for entertainment!!!

darwin-rover

I have checked the Virgin website and it tells me that I live in an area with cable. Is this a good thing?

Yes

Also, is there 2mb internet fast enough for a relatively light user like me? I would hate page downloads to be laggy.

I'm on the 20mb service and for normal usage it doesnt make any difference , it just downloads that you need fast internet for

Also, does it come with a wireless or wired router?

No router is provided - one can be purchased at any good PC shop but make sure you get the correct one , it will just say router and NOT router-modem or modem-router

Is it possible for me to switch the phone line back to BT?

You will need a BT phone line if you want a different phone provider , may cost up to £125 to get a BT line connected .

bergy2

Hi
I am on the 2MB service - was 4mb but dowbgraded - well its a bit slower but ok for most stuff and my son plays wolfenstein online and rpgs and no complaints
Been with them 7 years and can rarely recall an issue tbh

TV is useless imo - 2nd box and went to freeview service and have it upstairs on the portable TV - keeps needing reloading and the recall tv stuff is pants - i have a freeview pvr downstairs that is far more reliable

So Internet great - tv pants