Virgin too expensive now

My_aim_is_true

We managed to get a saving of £936 over the 18 month contract. We've had broadband (125Mbs) + anytime calls with Virgin Media for millenia but they keep hiking the prices. Finally we had enough when they said it'd be £66/month! A year ago it was £39/month.

I waited until we were within the last 30 days of contract so that we could cancel without paying a £22 disconnection fee. We don't need the calls so I cancelled and signed up for a lower speed (47Mbs), broadband-only deal with Vodafone for <£21/month (£25/mth + £100 shopping voucher). 

Rang Virgin last week but they would only offer £33/mth (down from £66 remember) so I confirmed the cancellation. A few days later Virgin's "Customer Loyalty" team rang me and asked me if we'd stay with them if they offered the same speed broadband as we have now with weekend calls at £17/month! I almost pooped my pants but said I needed to check whether I can cancel the newly signed-up Vodafone without a penalty (which I did).

Virgin rang me back a day later and offered me … get this … £14/month!

Unbe-sodding-leivable!! And yes, I did accept!
By the way, a few tips:
1. I used the MoneySavingExpert and USwitch comparison tools to find alternative deals before approaching Virgin
2. I could be wrong but it seems Virgin's "Customer Loyalty" team (if there really is one) has a limited amount of discretionary discounts available. It apparently gets given them at the start of each month and they run out towards the end. So the best chance of a good price reduction is near the start of each month

littleboo

OK, so you have FTTC available, you do not have FTTP available and are therefore are not in an area where the sale of copper based products (FTTC) has been stopped.There doesn't seem to be any reason why you shouldn't be able to place an order.
If you want an alternative to Virgin, I would try Vodafone again and see if you get more sense from them or try another Openreach provider who also offer social tariffs

FreeBear

Frankie56 said: Virgin switched my landline off 3 years ago so I don't think I will still have my phone number. I did have a phone with BT many years ago before I changed it to Virgin. Not sure I've remembered my old number (the one I had with Virgin) but did put in what I thought it was and it said it was in a town about 6 miles away.

Assuming you are on Virgin's own cable network, then by just having broadband will mean you have lost your old phone number. Going to any other provider will mean possibly having to pay for a new line - This is typically around £60, but some providers will waive the charge. Shop around, and you should find a decent deal. In the meantime, tell Virgin that you are leaving, and the retention department might come back with a half decent price/package.

Frankie56

My_aim_is_true, I've phoned them a few times in the past and got what I want. Not so much last time though. That's interesting about them possibly only having some discounts. Just checked and last time I phoned was right at the end of May. Might be worth another go. 

littleboo, thank you so much for your patience and help. Might try Vodaphone again.

Freebear, I wasn't too bothered when they cut off my phone as only 2 people phoned me on it. I always use my mobile so not worried if they don't offer one. I've told Virgin twice that I'm leaving. They just said that was up to me. No-one has phoned back.

sandy700

I've just been on the phone to Virgin Media as my contract ends on 13th July and my cost is going from £40 to £53.50. though my last DD was £47 as a deal I had has ended.

The lowest I could get for my present 138mbs broadband and phone, was £41,.a saving of £12.50 from what it will be from 13th July.

He suggested I go online and see if there were any upgrades I could get that were cheaper than what I could get from him but there are none where I will be paying less.

I suppose I will have to pay £41 for the next 18 months.

Fibre is not really an option as I would need to put a mains socket near my unused BT telephone socket then run 4 network cables up the outside of my house as I have 4 devices permanently plugged into my router 

JSmithy45AD

sandy700 said:

I've just been on the phone to Virgin Media as my contract ends on 13th July and my cost is going from £40 to £53.50. though my last DD was £47 as a deal I had has ended.

The lowest I could get for my present 138mbs broadband and phone, was £41,.a saving of £12.50 from what it will be from 13th July.

He suggested I go online and see if there were any upgrades I could get that were cheaper than what I could get from him but there are none where I will be paying less.

I suppose I will have to pay £41 for the next 18 months.

Fibre is not really an option as I would need to put a mains socket near my unused BT telephone socket then run 4 network cables up the outside of my house as I have 4 devices permanently plugged into my router 

FTTP doesn't use the old BT sockets but comes via a new optical cable. They'll put the cable through the wall where it suits you (within reason). Do you have cables already internally?

hareng

sandy700 said:

The lowest I could get for my present 138mbs broadband and phone, was £41,.a saving of £12.50 from what it will be from 13th July.
Fibre is not really an option as I would need to put a mains socket near my unused BT telephone socket then run 4 network cables up the outside of my house as I have 4 devices permanently plugged into my router 

Must say link above is only for OpenReach/BT network, ot says i cant get FTTP but using now.  Are there any other networks apart from Virgin.
Quite a lot of places where Virgins installed, lots have swapped over to City Fibre having provided its own network https://cityfibre.com/  Cheapest with phone £24 last time looked for 150meg+. I get 500Meg for £30 with exceptional customer service plus 12 months Amazon.

FTTP theres a good chance the optical cable can go direct to where the router is now, nothing else needed except an install and probably a new router from the new ISP. So the 4 devices are probably ethernet, i am doing likewise on FTTP.
I went through with the installer how bendy the optical cable was as didnt want it showing. I put it behind the skirting and slotted it out going under doors and round two 90 degree walls. Any excess optical cable can be pulled back in the outside box.

sandy700

FTTP will not be available until Dec 2026 at my address.

gascar

Don't forget if you leave Virgin (spit spit) you lose any email address you have with them. That's the only reason we put up with them, wife won't change!

sandy700

I gave them another call today and got down to £40 a month from the £41.

Decided to take it.

Just can't be bothered with all the hassle going with someone else would cause.