Fed up with Virgin, advice please

omnipeta

I've been with Virgin for several years, (now out of contract) never had a problem with them (that's why I've stayed with them) but my TV package is a joke and when I last spoke to them they offered me a few extra channels (rubbish ones I'd never watch) and wanted to increase my bill? I'm going to call them but I'm almost sure they will not offer me much, I have land line, TV and broadband and would like recommendations please as to who people rate overall? (BT, Sky)?
Also, can I switch without losing service? Thank you.

Neil_Jones

omnipeta said:

I've been with Virgin for several years, (now out of contract) never had a problem with them (that's why I've stayed with them) but my TV package is a joke and when I last spoke to them they offered me a few extra channels (rubbish ones I'd never watch) and wanted to increase my bill? I'm going to call them but I'm almost sure they will not offer me much, I have land line, TV and broadband and would like recommendations please as to who people rate overall? (BT, Sky)?
Also, can I switch without losing service? Thank you.

Work out what channels you watch regularly.  If they are all or mostly Freeview channels and a bit of catch-up from iPlayer/Hub/All4/My5 then its pointless paying for channels you don't watch.

Broadband depending on what you do with it you may be able to get cheaper elsewhere.  See comparison websites.  May not be as fast as Virgin but you may not need that sort of speed anyway.

Note that if you do jump ship you will need to contact Virgin and cancel your services (and send your equipment back).  If you don't have a BT line you will have to have one installed.  Mobile broadband may be another option but depends on how good your signal is where you are.  Some free PAYG sims from the networks that you can just shove into a phone to see what signal strength you get can help with that.

JJ_Egan

Sky much better than BT for TV channels .

But BT new system is to offer the TV channels mainly through a Now TV pass .

https://www.bt.com/tv/packages/

But as  said work out what you want first .

Put your postcode in a broadband checker and see what services/ speed you can get .

Andrew95073

I had a phone every day last week from Virgin offering new deals (I think, because the English was hardly decipherable) ending with a quote for £104 per month.  I have been a customer of Virgin for several years and I suggested that if I cancel the service and immediately restart it I could be classed as a "new customer".  Apparently it can't be done. Heartily sick of this I decided to go with Sky at about £37 per month. I don't play games, download movies etc so I don't need 200mps speed. Sky Customer service was excellent. Lo and behold, another call from Virgin offering it for £27 per month!  My response was that I could see no reason to trust the deal and would remain with my decision to go with Sky.  His last comment to me was that there was nothing he could do because I was an "!!!!!!" (direct quote).

anotheruser

I'm fed up of them too.
Ours has been okay-ish but yesterday up and down all day.

I changed the Hub 3 to modem only mode and attached my own router. The router didn't improve the WiFi so I changed it back (after a struggle to log in to it!).

Since then, had an engineer out who changed a few settings but it's just the same.
Engineer told me they're a little swamped with lots now working from home, as well as the ever growing consoles and TV downloading and streaming.

I get 100mb for £24 a month, which is pretty good but I think Shell's 67mb for around the same price for a year should see me well as I can then be a new customer if I decide to go back to Virgin. 

The ONLY thing that puts me off about BT is their long 2 year contracts.
I'm likely to stay the 2 years but don't want to be forced to do so.

Ruby-Tuesday

The only thing that is stopping my changing from Virgin to Sky broadband is that I am working from home and worry in case the swop does not go smoothly and I lose connection for days! I presume that I have to sign up with Sky, get a start date and then cancel my Virgin service? I guess that I could give it a couple of days after the Sky service starts to make sure that my new broadband service is up and running? So that they over lap for a day or two? As Virgin is on cable and I still have a defunct BT line, I presume that they could run in tandmem?

Mister_G

Yes, that would be the way to go.  You will need to cancel with Virgin at the appropriate time, as it's not automatic (as it is when changing between Openreach provided ISPs).

JJ_Egan

Yes  Sign up with Sky  , but first check what service/ speed you can get .

As you say let VM run for a few days or wait until Sky working before cancellation . As a lot depends upon what work needs to take place for the Sky line .

Ruby-Tuesday

I've taken the plunge and ordered Sky, I am out of contract with Virgin Media and they keep hiking prices. Never had Sky TV before, so good to have more to watch in lockdown. Thank you for replying.

flea72

Ruby-Tuesday said:

The only thing that is stopping my changing from Virgin to Sky broadband is that I am working from home and worry in case the swop does not go smoothly and I lose connection for days! 

Have been waiting 6 weeks for my BB to be installed.  TV dish went up within a week of order, but the phone line we are having major issues with, as there was no BT line at the property.  Thankfully didnt cancel virgin, but now we are paying for two services.  Openreach have been a total joke over the delays, and as you cant deal with them direct and have to speak to sky, its taking forever to get any answers

karenburton1305

I started my Virgin contract in November - still not had any internet come through! Have been without internet for the entire contract period - and they're harasssing me for £120!!! Customer service is painful! No department speaks to each other