3 months into 12 month contract Virgin hit me with a 50% increase

JohnCl

I took up an offer with Virgin Mobile in February for 1000mins + 1GB and unlimited texts.
Yes it was an incredible offer...but today I got an email to tell me that the price is going up to £6 in July.

Are they legally allowed to do this?! A 50% increase is excessive in my opinion.

neilmcl

Of course they can do this just as you can take your business elsewhere.

its_all_over

JohnCl wrote: »

I took up an offer with Virgin Mobile in February for 1000mins + 1GB and unlimited texts.
Yes it was an incredible offer...but today I got an email to tell me that the price is going up to £6 in July.

Are they legally allowed to do this?! A 50% increase is excessive in my opinion.

Did the offer maybe have half price for 3 months? Have you checked all your paperwork to see if there was something in it that talks about increases as it's not normal for contracts to be increased like that if they weren't including a timed discount.

JohnCl

The only provision I see in the contract for a price increase is an RPI increase after 12 months. It’s not a temporary introductory price.

pmduk

Have you asked them for an explanation?

JohnCl

I called them and got through to (I presume) India, they told me that the rise is correct and there’s nothing I can do. I’m not convinced that they knew what they were talking about though.

flashg67

If the increase is above RPI, you should be able to cancel with no penalty. If what you say is correct. this is what I'd be doing, unless it was still the best value for my needs

its_all_over

JohnCl wrote: »

I called them and got through to (I presume) India, they told me that the rise is correct and there’s nothing I can do. I’m not convinced that they knew what they were talking about though.

If you look on line and use google for the CEO email you should find an email address for him or his office and then send them an email complaint asking for an explanation, I had to do that for my virgin cable once and they have a department who reports to the CEO who handle his complaints for him. You should get a phone call a few days after sending the email from them.

darren72

its_all_over wrote: »

If you look on line and use google for the CEO email you should find an email address for him or his office and then send them an email complaint asking for an explanation, I had to do that for my virgin cable once and they have a department who reports to the CEO who handle his complaints for him. You should get a phone call a few days after sending the email from them.

To be honest I've use that method and in the end had to take them to the Ombudsman who found in my favour. Despite the fact the decision was binding Virgin still managed to wriggle out of it.

AndyPK

still a very good price!

atlantis187

I'm currently paying £5.30 a month and they sent me a message last week saying its going up to £11.50 in July. i'm not in any contract just rolling monthly. Have a really good tariff that suits me is there anything I can do?