Virgin Media - any tips for negotiating price reduction?

picard1109

Hi, my mother's bill has gone up and I want to negotiate a price reduction for her without her losing any of her current services. 

I spoke to them last month and their customer service operative was spectacularly unhelpful.  In fact, he said that the only other option would cost more! 

My mother is 86 and not great at dealing with technology these days.  She's used to the Virgin system, so I'd rather be able to negotiate with them than switch her to another provider, if possible.

Any tips for getting good outcomes from Virgin?   Thanks!

Lily8

Hi Picard1109,

I have been with Virgin for quite a few years on a TV/Broadband/Landline package. 18 months ago I rang to negotiate on renewal and was quoted a more expensive deal too. I left it, like your Mum I'm used to Virgin. Renewal came  in March this year and the package jumped from  £146 to  £168 per month. I thought I have to do something, this is getting silly. So I called Sky, they offered me an equivalent package for £101 a month.

I called  Virgin to say I was changing to Sky and to cancel. However Virgin then matched the Sky deal so I stayed with them. The staff at Sky were lovely but for me it was less hassle staying with Virgin. Might be worth a try for your Mum too? Good luck, hope you sort something for her.

PinkPanda_3

Look up the current new customer equivalent cost then if she is out of contract give notice on the account giving reason of too expensive and quote new customer costs and unfairness to loyalty.  You will either be able to negotiate with the disconnections department or if not offered a good deal leave the account on notice. 

You should then get a call  (random mobile)  from someone who is far better placed to offer a decent deal. Have in mind what sort of price you'd aim for and whether to compromise on any services.
I got a really good deal, comparatively, a couple of years ago and then a reasonable deal last year via disconnections without giving notice.

Be prepared to put forward your argument and stand your ground as disconnections are pretty hard and will try and persuade you that it's a good deal already. 

Nb I got calls from 2 random mobile numbers which I almost didn't answer,  both offering deals not available via call Centre. I took names and checked with virgin before engaging with them and offer was good so I stayed and took the deal from the guy who called first.