VirginMedia aggresive marketing

Lip_Stick

MothballsWallet wrote: »

I have a few horror stories about Virgin Media which mean I'd rather stick my head in a wood chipper than ever take TV/phone/broadband services from them!

Come on, dont leave us in suspense.

MothballsWallet

My horror stories about Virgin Media (VM):

1. Loss of landline due to their subcontractors screwing up: this was back in 2011, I came home from work ready to book a holiday online for Mrs MbW and I only to find that we had no landline phone or internet (we're with TalkTalk, not VM) - it was only for an evening, but I later found out it a VM subcontractor was in our street doing some cable install and they managed to break the BT Openreach lines.
2. Their sales people ignoring head office rules on when tenants can take up a VM contract: I let my house out while I was in New Zealand and came home to VM boxes on my house - the tenants had managed to get VM to install fibre broadband to the house in complete breach of VM's own rules (this was confirmed by their CEO and Sales Director when I complained):
   • They must have a 2 years minimum tenancy agreement (and be able to prove this) - the tenants didn't.
   • They must be able to prove that the landlord has given permission - the tenants didn't have this either, I was never even asked about it (so I think the letting agent probably OK'd it without checking me, and I was reachable by email).

Lip_Stick

MothballsWallet wrote: »

My horror stories about Virgin Media (VM):

1. Loss of landline due to their subcontractors screwing up: this was back in 2011, I came home from work ready to book a holiday online for Mrs MbW and I only to find that we had no landline phone or internet (we're with TalkTalk, not VM) - it was only for an evening, but I later found out it a VM subcontractor was in our street doing some cable install and they managed to break the BT Openreach lines.
2. Their sales people ignoring head office rules on when tenants can take up a VM contract: I let my house out while I was in New Zealand and came home to VM boxes on my house - the tenants had managed to get VM to install fibre broadband to the house in complete breach of VM's own rules (this was confirmed by their CEO and Sales Director when I complained):
   • They must have a 2 years minimum tenancy agreement (and be able to prove this) - the tenants didn't.
   • They must be able to prove that the landlord has given permission - the tenants didn't have this either, I was never even asked about it (so I think the letting agent probably OK'd it without checking me, and I was reachable by email).

Not surprised they annoyed you then.

P.s. My city had the last City of Culture title and it was a great year.

[Deleted User]

MothballsWallet wrote: »

I came home from work ready to book a holiday online for Mrs MbW and I only to find that we had no landline phone or internet (we're with TalkTalk, not VM) - it was only for an evening

Regardless of whose fault it was, that's hardly a "horror" story since you were only deprived of your services for one night! Plenty of TalkTalk customers have experienced far worse than that and it has been TalkTalk's fault.

MothballsWallet wrote: »

Their sales people ignoring head office rules on when tenants can take up a VM contract: I let my house out while I was in New Zealand and came home to VM boxes on my house - the tenants had managed to get VM to install fibre broadband to the house in complete breach of VM's own rules I think the letting agent probably OK'd it

Surely your Letting Agent was at fault then?
What was the problem anyhow? Do you just not like Virgin junction boxes on your wall? What losses did you incur?
Again, hardly a "horror" story...

Gavin83

MothballsWallet wrote: »

My horror stories about Virgin Media (VM):

1. Loss of landline due to their subcontractors screwing up: this was back in 2011, I came home from work ready to book a holiday online for Mrs MbW and I only to find that we had no landline phone or internet (we're with TalkTalk, not VM) - it was only for an evening, but I later found out it a VM subcontractor was in our street doing some cable install and they managed to break the BT Openreach lines.
2. Their sales people ignoring head office rules on when tenants can take up a VM contract: I let my house out while I was in New Zealand and came home to VM boxes on my house - the tenants had managed to get VM to install fibre broadband to the house in complete breach of VM's own rules (this was confirmed by their CEO and Sales Director when I complained):
   • They must have a 2 years minimum tenancy agreement (and be able to prove this) - the tenants didn't.
   • They must be able to prove that the landlord has given permission - the tenants didn't have this either, I was never even asked about it (so I think the letting agent probably OK'd it without checking me, and I was reachable by email).

So you've never actually had VM then? It is your choice I guess but I think you're going OTT on both those points, especially as far as calling them horror stories.

I had BT for broadband, service was awful. Switched to VM and it's been great. I do have some issues with them but more the way they operate, the actual product has been faultless. I don't like their TV service though, prefer sky.

LadyDee

golddustmedia wrote: »

I run a home business, so unrecognised numbers are usually customers!
Not answering my phone would put me out of business!

Perhaps invest in a second line used only for your business? I believe there are business packages with Virgin?

[Deleted User]

LadyDee wrote: »

I believe there are business packages with Virgin?

Yes, and they won't generally be plagued by marketing calls from the provider. However, there is an additional expense to any such package which is not simply commensurate with adding an additional line.

On the other hand, if the OP is using domestic landline (and broadband) for his business he'll have no protection in the event of service outages etc.

photome

Virgin media is the best for broadband IMO.

JReacher1

I never understand why people get so annoyed by things like this. Just hang up when they announce who they are. It takes less than a minute out of your day.

I've been with Sky, BT and Virgin for broadband and Virgin are by far the best. You will regret it if you switch to BT for just this reason.

[Deleted User]

JReacher1 wrote: »

I never understand why people get so annoyed by things like this. Just hang up when they announce who they are. It takes less than a minute out of your day.

OP is using his domestic landline as his business line. Probably thinks he's missing out on potential customers.

Answer is to actually pay a Business subscription ..