Virgin Termination Fee for moving house!!

Amyjanelester

Hi All. This is my first time posting on here though I have often browsed for advice in the past. I'm wondering if anyone has any similar experiences and advice on this issue. I've been with Virgin Media for about 6 years. In fact, I used to work for them. I renewed my contract with them in about March I think, but I am now moving into my first purchased home and have reached a snag. As much as I'd love to stay with Virgin, they are unsure if my new property is serviceable and will be sending out an engineer to check. This is fine and I'm fully prepared to chase them up on this. However, they've advised me if they can't service my property I will have to pay a circa £350 termination fee! Despite the fact it's not my fault they cant service my property. When I worked for them previously, this situation was remedied by putting customers onto their 'national' service which is the equivalent to sky and bt broadband down a phone line. This is now not something they offer, so I'm feeling particularly backed into a corner. I understand that I have signed s contract, but I am unsure if there is anything that can be done as if the service is not available at my new property, surely that's not my fault and I shouldn't be expected to pay? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

TadleyBaggie

Equally it's not Virgin's fault you are moving, that's entirely down to you.

This query comes up on a very regular basis, their position is quite correct and legal, all you can hope for is some goodwill.

DCFC79

Its also not the suppliers fault your wanting to move to an area they don't cover.

When you were looking for a property, did it not cross your mind to either look for a property in an area covered by virgin and the consequences if this wasn't possible ?

onomatopoeia99

You are breaking the contract by moving to an area they cannot supply the product that you contracted to take for a minimum term.

If you committed to another minimum term four months ago, did you not know that a house purchase was on the cards then? If so, why did you commit to a new minimum term when VM have never had nationwide coverage, which as a former employee you would know.

macman

Your contract is for supply at the current address only-not any other one you choose to move to.

phillw

Amyjanelester wrote: »

I understand that I have signed s contract, but I am unsure if there is anything that can be done as if the service is not available at my new property, surely that's not my fault and I shouldn't be expected to pay?

If they didn't expect you to pay, then surely everyone who wanted to leave would just say they they were moving to an address that virgin don't cover. Virgin would have to keep tabs on whether they were actually moving there and staying there for the remaining time on the contract.

Your best bet is to say you thought virgin supplied the area & accept that you should have done more to check & hope that they feel sorry for you. If you go in with the attitude that you shouldn't be expected to pay then they'll focus on how you are.

Sparx

As others have already said...

1. You entered a 12-18 month contract at your current address
2. It's not Virgin Media's fault you are moving address

You could try haggle or complain, see if they offer you any goodwill and reduce the bill - if they do, count yourself lucky!

P.S. Friendly and calm is always the best approach! Ranting and raging gets people's backs up, this will only backfire and they'll tell you to screw yourself!

rtho782

Op, VM have today announced a price rise so you will be able to leave penalty free. If you want to see if you can get it at your new property, you can then apply as a new customer, which will likely get you better deals anyway.

Letters are just being sent out so it might be a few days before you are notified.

Sparx

Yes this just hit the news, good shout rtho782.

OP you should now be able to cancel without charge - due to the price rise.

Shot themselves in the foot!