Virgin wont always budge on prices

kk20

Came to the end of my virgin 100mb line "deal" and the bill went up to £45. Phoned up before christmas to renegotiate, in the meantime there was a price increase to £47. They offered £5 off (this is a basic package, no extras, free TV only). I declined but couldnt move through with my threat to migrate to BT as our cabinet was full at the time (not accepting orders).

Fast forward to a fortnight ago when our cabinet was upgraded. Phoned virgin again and got through to cancellations where iwas offered £42 a month but a speed reduction to 50Mb. Now im not too bothered about the speed but it narked me that this still seems too expensive for 50Mb. So I set in motion a migration to Zen internet instead. It took 7 days from order -> openreach enable line -> activation. Zen charged me £49.99 one off for the line and £38.99 per month and FttC activation. Currently connected at 73Mb. Beauty is, Zen say no price rises as long as I stay on the package (lifetime, not just contract). Now I have set a number migration in progress which will complete in another few days. I will be saving money in 6 months time and am about 25% slower.

I did get phoned up by virgin retentions but I declined to chat, I had already activated the line and wont be staying with them.

So in my case they weren't willing to budge to a reasonable price - I went with Zen due to reputation, I could have gone to cheaper providers of course.

VoucherMan

kk20 wrote: »

I did get phoned up by virgin retentions but I declined to chat, I had already activated the line and wont be staying with them.

So in my case they weren't willing to budge to a reasonable price - I went with Zen due to reputation, I could have gone to cheaper providers of course.

Maybe I've read this wrong, but first time around you declined their offer (remained out of contract?) and agreed to continue paying the price they asked, so there would be no need for a call from retentions.


2nd time around they have phoned, but you've already moved.

How do you know they weren't willing to make a better offer if you 'declined to chat' with them?

AndyPK

I think the point is, VM weren't convinced enough the OP was actually going to leave, so didn't make a sensible offer.

When VM see a number transfer request come in, they will make a sensible offer, but by then most customers have had enough of VM.

Of course if you had given 30 days notice to leave, which I would have done the day before placing my zen order, VM would know you were serious.

New orders can be cancelled within 14 days in most cases. (advanced payments can be lost I guess)

pmduk

The only people in any company in a real position to negotiate are retentions. Refuse to speak to them and of course, you're not going to be offered a good deal.