Virgin mobile charging for dialled calls even when number is busy?

I cant believe it! I am on an old PAYG tariff (simply 8p).
Noticing recently that my credit was disappearing fast I checked to find that Virgin were charging me for calling an English landline number that was busy (engaged tone).
After calling customer service & arguing I was eventually put through to a Manager by the name of Dexter ( ref number 7782785) who assured me this is their current policy.
I am outraged & do not know where to turn next!
«13

Comments

  • Ian011
    Ian011 Posts: 2,432 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 27 January 2017 at 11:02AM
    That doesn't sound correct. Complain to Ofcom.

    However, why are you on a tariff that charges a per-minute rate for calls to landline numbers and 03 numbers? It is usually a lot cheaper to pay for a package of inclusive calls. These are available on contracts (with or without a handset) or on pay-as-you-go.
  • If "Simply 8p" is 8p per minute, ask for your PAC and get a PAYG SIM from Three, they only charge 3p per min on PAYG.
  • preecey
    preecey Posts: 86 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    edited 27 January 2017 at 12:24PM
    I agree with what others have said.

    If your phone is 3G capable, it would be silly not to switch to Three and enjoy Pay As You calls for just 3p per minute, texts 2p and data 1p per MB. Plus you get 150MB free with every top-up. Three and EE (EE provides the network coverage for Virgin) now share each other's 3G networks, so if you get a signal with Virgin you'll also get signal with Three.

    Your phone isn't 3G enabled? O2's Classic Pay As You Go has calls, texts and data for 5p each/per MB, and their SIMs can be used in basic phones.
  • AndyPK
    AndyPK Posts: 4,297 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    lucky you are on the 8p deal with the EE network available to you,

    Wish I had a SIM on the VM 8p deal. Lucky you, Keep it.
  • preecey wrote: »
    I agree with what others have said.

    If your phone is 3G capable, it would be silly not to switch to Three and enjoy Pay As You calls for just 3p per minute, texts 2p and data 1p per MB. Plus you get 150MB free with every top-up. Three and EE (EE provides the network coverage for Virgin) now share each other's 3G networks, so if you get a signal with Virgin you'll also get signal with Three.

    Your phone isn't 3G enabled? O2's Classic Pay As You Go has calls, texts and data for 5p each/per MB, and their SIMs can be used in basic phones.



    Thanks for all my replies, I mainly use this phone to make free virgin - virgin calls ( 50 free mins per Month, I don't text or use data. Up until last year it was only costing me approx. 50p per month. Now Virgin are telling me that ee will charge everyone for chargeable dialled calls that are not connected no matter which tariff they are on!
  • System
    System Posts: 178,283 Community Admin
    10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I cant believe it! I am on an old PAYG tariff (simply 8p).
    Noticing recently that my credit was disappearing fast I checked to find that Virgin were charging me for calling an English landline number that was busy (engaged tone).
    After calling customer service & arguing I was eventually put through to a Manager by the name of Dexter ( ref number 7782785) who assured me this is their current policy.
    I am outraged & do not know where to turn next!

    Easy, don't phone any English landline numbers.

    When I call Scottish ones, I don't get charged unless they pickup or it goes to voicemail.
    I think it was same last time I called a Welsh landline too.
    This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • AndyPK
    AndyPK Posts: 4,297 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    well the main thing is that you know now.

    So don't be so impatient pressing the redial button!

    or if you are super tight, give them 1 ring from other phone, and if it starts ringing hang up and then redial from your VM8p phone :rotfl::money:


    Annoy the person you will be ringing though :rotfl:
  • Heng_Leng wrote: »
    Easy, don't phone any English landline numbers.

    When I call Scottish ones, I don't get charged unless they pickup or it goes to voicemail.
    I think it was same last time I called a Welsh landline too.
    This was always the case until recently!!
  • This was always the case until recently!!
    This needs bringing to the attention of National Media!!
    They have altered the rules without telling anyone:mad:
  • I wonder if Martin can help with this?
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 349.6K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.9K Spending & Discounts
  • 242.6K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 619.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.3K Life & Family
  • 255.5K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.