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Pensioner leaving Virgin Media? Tips please?

Hi guys

Any tips appreciated for the best course of action (retentions?) for the following:

My father (pensioner, I recently moved out) paying £52.50 per month (is out of contract and free to leave anytime) for:
Fun TV (L)
V HD Monthly Fee
VIVID 100 Optical Fibre

He's happy to have a less 'fast' broadband for only occasionally streaming BBC iPlayer and YouTube and a very basic TV package (Freeview?) in order to access the following channels:

BBC channels
ITV, Channel 4 and 5
Yesterday
Discovery

He never ever used the 'Catch Up' channels or any HD channels from Virgin (only accesses BBC iPlayer using his Amazon Firestick, and that's about all he uses the Firestick for)

What do you think? SHould I try and speak to Virgin retentions somehow or just get him to go with an entirely new provider? He's been with Virgin Media for years and I must say the menu system on their TV box is really cumbersome and confusing for him.

All suggestions would be sincerely appreciated.

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 26,612 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    SHould I try and speak to Virgin retentions somehow or just get him to go with an entirely new provider? He's been with Virgin Media for years and I must say the menu system on their TV box is really cumbersome and confusing for him.
    Unless you have Power Of Attorney (POA), how do you propose to speak to Virgin on his behalf?

    I'm not seeing other providers as supplying a more user friendly interface than he's been used to? Another provider's menu system will be completely unfamiliar to him, so where is the advantage?
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 5,186 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    If the Discovery channel is a deal breaker you're out of luck, it's not available on Freeview. Sky TV, BT TV, Virgin TV & Now TV.

    A basic Sky Entertainment package would cost £22 a month, add on fibre (if needed, check the speeds available there) at say £25 a month and you're not far off what he's paying. I'd speak to Virgin (if he really needs Discovery) and see what you can get knocked off for him.

    If Discovery isn't needed then cancel the whole lot and take just a fibre(?) BB contract at £25 a month.

    His age is immaterial by the way, the above works for anyone.
  • AndyPK
    AndyPK Posts: 4,379 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    You need to get the alternative cost calculated.
    Even if it’s missing something
    You can use this to haggle with vm. Have in mind the cost that is worth staying for.

    Vm often go back on their agreements, so check any deal within 14 days and resolve.
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