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Fairer broadband prices for existing customers

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  • agentcain said:
    agentcain said:
    So you're all up for making our life more miserable and less easy eh?

    The op is right. These marketing tricks and incentives should stop. Existing customers should be charged the same as new ones. These are fundamental expenses that we shouldn't have to negotiate around. 

    I'm with BT and they charge me far less than what they do a new customer and all it took was one phone call. It's not difficult at all do i don't see why everyone should be charged more just because people are too lazy to shop around for a good deal or call up.
    Not all deals are available everywhere. And some people suffer from social anxiety, including making phone calls. Providers like VM make sure to only consider phone calls, as emails are too hard for them. Not to mention those who don't speak English fluently or simply are not in the habit of haggling for necessary services, especially when that requires waiting in queue to reach VMs retention centrw. Let's just strike them out as lazy. 

    I saw how much the energy sector's gift incentives didn't affect prices. Those 50£ to join us referral links are a great idea.

    I take it you're also against the recent law on insurances? 

    I don't see why a company shouldn't be allowed to offer variable pricing to attract customers.

    Using your logic then sales in shops and vouchers shouldn't be allowed and all products must be sold at the same price by all stores?

    My Sainbury's nectar app and others offer me personalised discounts on certain products but not to other people, should this all be banned?
    You are conflating different things, which you well know.

    Sales are allowed as anyone can buy at the sale price without having to haggle like they're in a medieval market.  What people are arguing for is transparency in pricing, so if there's a sale, the sale price is published and offered to everyone.

    The problem is companies discriminating against some disabled people by requiring "haggling" on the telephone to get the best price.  Not helped by people on forums like this that encourage this discrimination, such as the post I have quoted above.
    Proud member of the wokerati, though I don't eat tofu.Home is where my books are.Solar PV 5.2kWp system, SE facing, >1% shading, installed March 2019.Mortgage free July 2023
  • y3sitsm3
    y3sitsm3 Posts: 399 Forumite
    100 Posts Name Dropper
    agentcain said:
    agentcain said:
    So you're all up for making our life more miserable and less easy eh?

    The op is right. These marketing tricks and incentives should stop. Existing customers should be charged the same as new ones. These are fundamental expenses that we shouldn't have to negotiate around. 

    I'm with BT and they charge me far less than what they do a new customer and all it took was one phone call. It's not difficult at all do i don't see why everyone should be charged more just because people are too lazy to shop around for a good deal or call up.
    Not all deals are available everywhere. And some people suffer from social anxiety, including making phone calls. Providers like VM make sure to only consider phone calls, as emails are too hard for them. Not to mention those who don't speak English fluently or simply are not in the habit of haggling for necessary services, especially when that requires waiting in queue to reach VMs retention centrw. Let's just strike them out as lazy. 

    I saw how much the energy sector's gift incentives didn't affect prices. Those 50£ to join us referral links are a great idea.

    I take it you're also against the recent law on insurances? 

    I don't see why a company shouldn't be allowed to offer variable pricing to attract customers.

    Using your logic then sales in shops and vouchers shouldn't be allowed and all products must be sold at the same price by all stores?

    My Sainbury's nectar app and others offer me personalised discounts on certain products but not to other people, should this all be banned?
    You are conflating different things, which you well know.

    Sales are allowed as anyone can buy at the sale price without having to haggle like they're in a medieval market.  What people are arguing for is transparency in pricing, so if there's a sale, the sale price is published and offered to everyone.

    The problem is companies discriminating against some disabled people by requiring "haggling" on the telephone to get the best price.  Not helped by people on forums like this that encourage this discrimination, such as the post I have quoted above.
    Including the saintly ML who is happy to recommend people shop around but not so quick to demand everyone pay the same price...

    Unless there's a bandwagon he can jump on that people will quickly forget about when it falls flat.
  • agentcain
    agentcain Posts: 148 Forumite
    Third Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper
    Marvel1 said:
    agentcain said:
    Marvel1 said:
    agentcain said:
    Marvel1 said:
    agentcain said:
    So you're all up for making our life more miserable and less easy eh?
    Compare new supplier, complete details- done.  How is it hard?

    Much less than time looking and completing details for a new insurance provider.
    It might be hard for those less tech savvy. But let's fleece them so the rest can enjoy the excitement of getting a non transparent deal that depends on the quota of the particular representative on the day you decide to threaten them with taking your business elsewhere. Lovely. Great society model. 
    Yet they have broadband to access the internet, can't be that less tech savvy otherwise they wouldn t have it in the first place.
    Irrelevant. Many can have the engineer set everything up and be interested only in sending emails and watching youtube videos. 
    Irrelevant.  Engineers are not needed to look up new deals from different suppliers on sites.

    Completely relevant actually. They can be fully incompetent even to hook up the router themselves and only interested in simple internet interaction, yet you ask them to go through the process of checking, reading the fine print on the contracts, going through the differences of packages and suppliers, comparing connection types, just so you can save yourself only a few quid per month? What about those who have issues with their eyes reading websites? Are they not allowed to have internet access and Skype call their grandchildren or watch a YouTube video?

    That's certainly not money saving expert tips. My position stands. I'm with the OP. The system should be fairer to all customers
  • agentcain
    agentcain Posts: 148 Forumite
    Third Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper
    littleboo said:
    alan235 said:

    Now that the law has been changed and insurance companies cannot charge deeply discounted prices to new customers, how about getting the same fairer treatment for Broadband customers?

     The major broadband companies like Virgin Media, Talk Talk and BT are all offering cheap deals to new customers that they state in their advertising are not available to existing clients.

     For example VM Big Bundle of broadband, TV and phone is currently £29.99/mth for 18 months and with a £75 bill credit.

    I am an existing customer with VM with Big Bundle and paying £58/mth soon to be £62/mth from March 2022.

    Surely the same rules should apply to broadband companies as now does to insurance companies?



    Except they are available to existing clients.  Just not by default, and often without the extra incentive, ie the £75 credit.
    You have to get it yourself.  Or pay out of contract rates.  Your decision.  If you want the best deals and you're out of contract get on the blower.

    The last time I paid full price for broadband was... so long ago I can't actually remember.  All packages I've been on in the last 10 years were either retentions or introductory.  I don't need the law to get a decent deal, and with all due respect, neither do you.

    Here's Virgin Media's customer service number: 0345 454 1111
    Before calling I suggest you get a calendar ready at hand so you can have some idea of how much time has passed by the time someone answers your call. When someone does answer your call (assuming your still alive) they probably only speak gibberish.


    JJ_Egan said:
    As above otherwise we all end up paying a high price not a lower price . No need to cut a deal lets just pay more and more .

    I think OP meant to change the law in such a way that EVERYONE gets the lower "new customer" price.






    I think the point is that the lower new customer price wont exist if everyone cant get it, since there wont be anyone subsidising the new customer price. In which case some will pay more, so that some will pay less, but all will pay the same. Like a communist utopia.
    You still have companies competing for the best rate and service, therefore for the customers. You don't have that in communism, utopian or not 
  • littleboo
    littleboo Posts: 1,727 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    It was a bit tongue in cheek. I was reminded of the Labour party manifesto where they thought that they could get more votes by giving broadband away for free. The point still remains though, if someone will be paying less, someone else will be paying more.
  • Marvel1
    Marvel1 Posts: 7,436 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    agentcain said:
    Marvel1 said:
    agentcain said:
    Marvel1 said:
    agentcain said:
    Marvel1 said:
    agentcain said:
    So you're all up for making our life more miserable and less easy eh?
    Compare new supplier, complete details- done.  How is it hard?

    Much less than time looking and completing details for a new insurance provider.
    It might be hard for those less tech savvy. But let's fleece them so the rest can enjoy the excitement of getting a non transparent deal that depends on the quota of the particular representative on the day you decide to threaten them with taking your business elsewhere. Lovely. Great society model. 
    Yet they have broadband to access the internet, can't be that less tech savvy otherwise they wouldn t have it in the first place.
    Irrelevant. Many can have the engineer set everything up and be interested only in sending emails and watching youtube videos. 
    Irrelevant.  Engineers are not needed to look up new deals from different suppliers on sites.

    Completely relevant actually. They can be fully incompetent even to hook up the router themselves and only interested in simple internet interaction, yet you ask them to go through the process of checking, reading the fine print on the contracts, going through the differences of packages and suppliers, comparing connection types, just so you can save yourself only a few quid per month? What about those who have issues with their eyes reading websites? Are they not allowed to have internet access and Skype call their grandchildren or watch a YouTube video?

    That's certainly not money saving expert tips. My position stands. I'm with the OP. The system should be fairer to all customers
     If they manage to work and search youtube videos and Skype, their eyes cannot be that bad.
  • agentcain
    agentcain Posts: 148 Forumite
    Third Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper
    Marvel1 said:
    agentcain said:
    Marvel1 said:
    agentcain said:
    Marvel1 said:
    agentcain said:
    Marvel1 said:
    agentcain said:
    So you're all up for making our life more miserable and less easy eh?
    Compare new supplier, complete details- done.  How is it hard?

    Much less than time looking and completing details for a new insurance provider.
    It might be hard for those less tech savvy. But let's fleece them so the rest can enjoy the excitement of getting a non transparent deal that depends on the quota of the particular representative on the day you decide to threaten them with taking your business elsewhere. Lovely. Great society model. 
    Yet they have broadband to access the internet, can't be that less tech savvy otherwise they wouldn t have it in the first place.
    Irrelevant. Many can have the engineer set everything up and be interested only in sending emails and watching youtube videos. 
    Irrelevant.  Engineers are not needed to look up new deals from different suppliers on sites.

    Completely relevant actually. They can be fully incompetent even to hook up the router themselves and only interested in simple internet interaction, yet you ask them to go through the process of checking, reading the fine print on the contracts, going through the differences of packages and suppliers, comparing connection types, just so you can save yourself only a few quid per month? What about those who have issues with their eyes reading websites? Are they not allowed to have internet access and Skype call their grandchildren or watch a YouTube video?

    That's certainly not money saving expert tips. My position stands. I'm with the OP. The system should be fairer to all customers
     If they manage to work and search youtube videos and Skype, their eyes cannot be that bad.
    Agree to disagree. And people with age-related cataract would also disagree.
    You obviously know everyone's circumstances so you can make a factual decision that no one would benefit from a fairer system and instead prefer the current one that suits you well. I take it that you would oppose a movement towards such a system then. 
  • agentcain
    agentcain Posts: 148 Forumite
    Third Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper
    Note that, as far as I know, these "better deals" come at the disadvantage of agreeing on a new contract.

    For example, if I call VM to reduce my fees following their recent price increase announcement, they will basically make a better offer that puts me on a new contract. This is effectively a disadvantage, as I'm offered less of a flexibility (another 18 or so months of contract), with great repercussions on breaking the contract, i.e. paying for the rest of the contract I never used, for a service that is not stored and does not perish.

    Yet, when they break the contract, I'm merely offered a get out of contract option for a limited amount of time.

    Yeah, I wouldn't call that a fair market.
  • Marvel1
    Marvel1 Posts: 7,436 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 17 January 2022 at 7:49PM
    agentcain said:
    Marvel1 said:
    agentcain said:
    Marvel1 said:
    agentcain said:
    Marvel1 said:
    agentcain said:
    Marvel1 said:
    agentcain said:
    So you're all up for making our life more miserable and less easy eh?
    Compare new supplier, complete details- done.  How is it hard?

    Much less than time looking and completing details for a new insurance provider.
    It might be hard for those less tech savvy. But let's fleece them so the rest can enjoy the excitement of getting a non transparent deal that depends on the quota of the particular representative on the day you decide to threaten them with taking your business elsewhere. Lovely. Great society model. 
    Yet they have broadband to access the internet, can't be that less tech savvy otherwise they wouldn t have it in the first place.
    Irrelevant. Many can have the engineer set everything up and be interested only in sending emails and watching youtube videos. 
    Irrelevant.  Engineers are not needed to look up new deals from different suppliers on sites.

    Completely relevant actually. They can be fully incompetent even to hook up the router themselves and only interested in simple internet interaction, yet you ask them to go through the process of checking, reading the fine print on the contracts, going through the differences of packages and suppliers, comparing connection types, just so you can save yourself only a few quid per month? What about those who have issues with their eyes reading websites? Are they not allowed to have internet access and Skype call their grandchildren or watch a YouTube video?

    That's certainly not money saving expert tips. My position stands. I'm with the OP. The system should be fairer to all customers
     If they manage to work and search youtube videos and Skype, their eyes cannot be that bad.
    Agree to disagree. And people with age-related cataract would also disagree.
    You obviously know everyone's circumstances so you can make a factual decision that no one would benefit from a fairer system and instead prefer the current one that suits you well. I take it that you would oppose a movement towards such a system then. 
    I oppose paying higher than what I am to make it more fair - as I currently pay more than I should for other things that some people pay cheaper.
  • Marvel1 said:
    agentcain said:
    Marvel1 said:
    agentcain said:
    Marvel1 said:
    agentcain said:
    Marvel1 said:
    agentcain said:
    Marvel1 said:
    agentcain said:
    So you're all up for making our life more miserable and less easy eh?
    Compare new supplier, complete details- done.  How is it hard?

    Much less than time looking and completing details for a new insurance provider.
    It might be hard for those less tech savvy. But let's fleece them so the rest can enjoy the excitement of getting a non transparent deal that depends on the quota of the particular representative on the day you decide to threaten them with taking your business elsewhere. Lovely. Great society model. 
    Yet they have broadband to access the internet, can't be that less tech savvy otherwise they wouldn t have it in the first place.
    Irrelevant. Many can have the engineer set everything up and be interested only in sending emails and watching youtube videos. 
    Irrelevant.  Engineers are not needed to look up new deals from different suppliers on sites.

    Completely relevant actually. They can be fully incompetent even to hook up the router themselves and only interested in simple internet interaction, yet you ask them to go through the process of checking, reading the fine print on the contracts, going through the differences of packages and suppliers, comparing connection types, just so you can save yourself only a few quid per month? What about those who have issues with their eyes reading websites? Are they not allowed to have internet access and Skype call their grandchildren or watch a YouTube video?

    That's certainly not money saving expert tips. My position stands. I'm with the OP. The system should be fairer to all customers
     If they manage to work and search youtube videos and Skype, their eyes cannot be that bad.
    Agree to disagree. And people with age-related cataract would also disagree.
    You obviously know everyone's circumstances so you can make a factual decision that no one would benefit from a fairer system and instead prefer the current one that suits you well. I take it that you would oppose a movement towards such a system then. 
    I oppose paying higher than what I am to make it more fair - as I currently pay more than I should for other things that some people pay cheaper.
    As opposed to advocating for paying a fair share there too? Given equal opportunities, it sounds like we should have more "Fairer X prices for Y" topics. 
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