Struggling to pay Virgin Media

Marcushblade87

I've recently lost hours at work, and had my rent and car insurance rocket up. I've looked at where I can trim bills etc 

Virgin media is one area where I can trim services etc to get costs down. After speaking to them and explaining my situation, they're unwilling to help. 

I'm more than happy to trim my service down to the basic package but they won't without an 'early termination fee of £450!'.

Any advice would be great! 

Marcushblade87

Another point to make... 

After logging into my account to check my bills etc, I noticed a price increase of £6 a month... I know it's not alot, but I've had ZERO communication about this, is it normal? 

Also, when trying to discuss my options, the guys that was dealing with my enquiry offered a downgraded package, for £5 more a month and a new contract 😂 and then proceeding to pressuring me into saying yes. 

booneruk

I don't think there's much you can to to be honest. It's much like a fixed energy tariff or mortgage rate. 

(Though how VM and others get to hike their prices during a fixed agreement does annoy me. It's all in the small print I guess).

M25

If VM really won't help (try again) then you may have to leave them and take the hit on your credit score if it won't have a problem (ie applying for a mortgage in the next few years). VM talk plenty about helping https://www.virginmedia.com/help/billing-and-payments/cost-of-living-support

Obviously, make sure you can get a new supplier or try a 5G router https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/compare-broadband-deals/

Not great advice but if VM wasn't helping me I'd do it.

onomatopoeia99

booneruk said:

I don't think there's much you can to to be honest. It's much like a fixed energy tariff or mortgage rate. 

(Though how VM and others get to hike their prices during a fixed agreement does annoy me. It's all in the small print I guess).

They (and others) started writing price increases into the contract because Money Saving Experts used increases within the minimum term to leave penalty free and take out new deals with signing on bonuses with other providers.  Eventually the providers got wise to this and started baking in the price increases, which was directly caused by sites like this.

booneruk

onomatopoeia99 said:

booneruk said:

I don't think there's much you can to to be honest. It's much like a fixed energy tariff or mortgage rate. 

(Though how VM and others get to hike their prices during a fixed agreement does annoy me. It's all in the small print I guess).

They (and others) started writing price increases into the contract because Money Saving Experts used increases within the minimum term to leave penalty free and take out new deals with signing on bonuses with other providers.  Eventually the providers got wise to this and started baking in the price increases, which was directly caused by sites like this.

Well, sites like this also taught me a few handy tricks. When my VM 18month contract was up for renewal lately, they did not budge on price at all and wanted to hike me quite a bit. I obtained a 4G router and cheap Lebara SIM and used that for my 'broadband',  letting my VM service expire and get disconnected. They soon phoned me up and offered a deal around the price I first had in mind. Bit of a song and dance, but we got there in the end.

Hooray to sites like this!