MSE News: Virgin Media to hike prices by 13.8% – but you can leave penalty-free

savergrant

saajan_12 said:

What I don't get is why a fixed term contract isn't binding on VM too. If they can't unilaterally change a contract, why can't you stick to the agreement rather than the only option being to leave? 
(I don't mean what you can negotiate with retentions, but what you legally have a right to). 

Depends what is built into the contract. Usually price increases beyond their control are allowed for, so big changes in the rate of inflation or government levies can be passed on to you. Unfortunately it makes it hard for anyone to calculate what might be affordable over the next twelve to twenty four months.

prowla

I'm hacked off with the price-gouging of these companies; I've got Sky and Virgin BB (so I can swap if I have issues whilst I WFH), but they're pushing it going for the higher inflation rate plus extra.

There's another company setting up in my area and I may look at them.

My Sky service (TV + phone + BB) may be the first one to go.

Wire5375

Which had a comment about this issue suggesting that Ofcom accepted increases up to RPI. The question is are you free to leave if the increase exceeds RPI as RPI plus 3.9% does. May contact Virgin this week as the increase notified is 23.5% and see what they say/offer as my deal runs to July and included significant discounts.

darkh0rse

I'm most confused. I have "the" email that states 

However, this 2023 price increase won't affect you until your current price offer ends. The full price of your package will then increase by £21.50 a month, subject to the new pricing terms referred to below.

I have 10 months remaining in my fixed term contract, and I also have 10 months remaining on my bill discounts ("price offer?") 

I interpret this as my price will not rise until 10 months time. 

Why does the MSE article and other posts suggest the rises are coming in April and May for every customer, and therefore action needs taking now? 

The way I see it, I cancel in 9 months time and do the usual cancel/haggle dance as per.

What is different this time around please? I'm genuinely confused. 

Seagull1980

From £40 to £55 for me... wow

Been with them a long time, mainly for broadband but really won't be hanging around at that increase, getting bored of the constant battle with them on prices every 18 months

frosch411

darkh0rse said:

I'm most confused. I have "the" email that states 

However, this 2023 price increase won't affect you until your current price offer ends. The full price of your package will then increase by £21.50 a month, subject to the new pricing terms referred to below.

I have 10 months remaining in my fixed term contract, and I also have 10 months remaining on my bill discounts ("price offer?") 

I interpret this as my price will not rise until 10 months time. 

Why does the MSE article and other posts suggest the rises are coming in April and May for every customer, and therefore action needs taking now? 

The way I see it, I cancel in 9 months time and do the usual cancel/haggle dance as per.

What is different this time around please? I'm genuinely confused. 

I, too, am similarly confused at what Virgin's email stated.

It says at the top in bold:
Our prices are increasing from 01 May 2023. Plus we're making some changes to our services and pricing terms.

Then it continues:
We're writing to tell you about some changes that'll affect your package price, our services, and the way our price rises will work from 2024 onwards. Please make sure you read this email carefully.

As you can probably imagine, with costs like energy bills rising fast, our running costs are increasing too. So to make sure we can keep giving you the quality of service you expect from us, the price of your package will go up by £7.00 a month from 1st May 2023.

Lower down, where it says "We're changing our pricing terms", it says:
"The monthly subscription price for your services will increase every April starting from April 2024."

Then, towards the end, the email outlines:
"These changes to your terms and conditions will come into effect from 1st May 2023, even though the first price rise they relate to won't be until April 2024. To see your new terms and conditions, along with our FAQs page, head here."


So my question:
When is my monthly price changing? From 01 May 2023? Or from April 2024?
Sorry if this is all obvious to everyone, but I find this verbiage confusing despite normally being quite clued up.
I'd be really grateful for some clarity from the MSE forumites.
Thank you



FYI, here are my current contract/package details (I am in my 2nd contract with them, first one was £24 pounds which was to go up to £44 after 18 months; called to cancel and was offered £23 a months for the 2nd contract with them):

darkh0rse

It's confusing indeed! For now, I intend to do nothing. If my bill increases before the end of my price offer, I will refer them back to their own email and take it from there. 

MSE_Petar

frosch411 said:

darkh0rse said:

I'm most confused. I have "the" email that states 

However, this 2023 price increase won't affect you until your current price offer ends. The full price of your package will then increase by £21.50 a month, subject to the new pricing terms referred to below.

I have 10 months remaining in my fixed term contract, and I also have 10 months remaining on my bill discounts ("price offer?") 

I interpret this as my price will not rise until 10 months time. 

Why does the MSE article and other posts suggest the rises are coming in April and May for every customer, and therefore action needs taking now? 

The way I see it, I cancel in 9 months time and do the usual cancel/haggle dance as per.

What is different this time around please? I'm genuinely confused. 

I, too, am similarly confused at what Virgin's email stated.

It says at the top in bold:
Our prices are increasing from 01 May 2023. Plus we're making some changes to our services and pricing terms.

Then it continues:
We're writing to tell you about some changes that'll affect your package price, our services, and the way our price rises will work from 2024 onwards. Please make sure you read this email carefully.

As you can probably imagine, with costs like energy bills rising fast, our running costs are increasing too. So to make sure we can keep giving you the quality of service you expect from us, the price of your package will go up by £7.00 a month from 1st May 2023.

Lower down, where it says "We're changing our pricing terms", it says:
"The monthly subscription price for your services will increase every April starting from April 2024."

Then, towards the end, the email outlines:
"These changes to your terms and conditions will come into effect from 1st May 2023, even though the first price rise they relate to won't be until April 2024. To see your new terms and conditions, along with our FAQs page, head here."


So my question:
When is my monthly price changing? From 01 May 2023? Or from April 2024?
Sorry if this is all obvious to everyone, but I find this verbiage confusing despite normally being quite clued up.
I'd be really grateful for some clarity from the MSE forumites.
Thank you



FYI, here are my current contract/package details (I am in my 2nd contract with them, first one was £24 pounds which was to go up to £44 after 18 months; called to cancel and was offered £23 a months for the 2nd contract with them):

Hi @frosch411,

Your monthly price will be increasing from 1 May 2023 (unless you haggle or switch away, of course).

Separately, Virgin Media is also changing your terms and conditions from 1 May 2023, to introduce inflation-linked price rises from April 2024.

There's more information about this in our news story - in particular, see the section about 'Future price rises'.

Hope that all makes sense?

Thanks,
MSE Petar

Bigphil1474

It says @frosch411 is in contract until 1st March 2024 so his price won't increase before then, but the new T&Cs will apply before then, but any price change as result of the new T&CS won't apply before April 2024. Pretty simple really.

frosch411

Thank you @MSE_Petar and @Bigphil1474 for your responses.
I am still confused 😂
I think it's best I reach out to Virgin to get this clarified and then even haggle of they can wave this at all. 😊