Implied threat from Virgin Media?

whattochoose

Received this message today…

"Your TV box is being retired.

We're upgrading customers from older TV equipment to Virgin TV 360. This means your current box will be retired or have its software upgraded as part of a planned programme taking place over the coming months.

Don't wait for your viewing to be disrupted in the coming months. Upgrade to Virgin TV 360 now at no extra cost with no change to current TV package"

And so on. They are just becoming more strident, and I have no intention of being bullied by them. It's now 99.9% certain that when my contract expires next year I will rid myself of them for ever.

oldernonethewiser

What do you think the threat is?

subjecttocontract

Well that's fine, you are free to make that choice but, they seem to be upgrading their systems and are offering you the upgrade at no extra cost. As an ex Virgin customer myself I know that Virgin have many faults but it seems rather irrational for anyone to leave just because they want to give you a free upgrade.

oldernonethewiser

My mother got informed of this last year and got her equipment upgraded for free and returned the old box. Took a bit of time to get used to the new layout but now she's happy with it.

At no time did she feel threatened.

iniltous

I’d argue this isn’t a threat , more of imparting important information….if you use an old style box and are paying Virgin for using it , should it go off leaving you without TV service, you can hardly complain about it , if you don’t actually pay Virgin for TV , and it’s only used for ‘Freeview’ type content then if it’s switched off it’s just the removal of a free service they are not obliged to continue supplying.

Obviously if Virgin 360 does have a cost , in that you have your minimum term extended and your intention is to quit as soon as you can penalty free , just ignore the communications , albeit knowing your TV service may cease before you reach the minimum term date …..if Virgin 360 doesn’t cost more and doesn’t extend the minimum term date, but you still don’t want to upgrade, just ignore their communications about it , but TBH , I wouldn’t call this threatening.

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82168702#Comment_82168702

Think you have to read it out loud in a Ray Winstone voice and put "If you know what I mean" at the end for the correct effect.

whattochoose

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82168710#Comment_82168710

Seems like semantics at work here because while they call it an upgrade, it seems many customers have had the opposite experience, losing precious recordings in the process.

oldernonethewiser

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82168775#Comment_82168775

I can see what your issue is now. Recordings on the old box will not transfer to the new one so it is possible that is of concern. The hardware is being upgraded but the user experience may not be.

Don't know how long the old boxes will keep functioning.

subjecttocontract

Posting on this Forum with what seems like a rant without providing all of the information of why will obviously result in responses that have little or no baring on your problem

whattochoose

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82168812#Comment_82168812

Sorry, didn't mean to rant.

flaneurs_lobster

If any recordings are considered 'precious' or 'treasured' then maybe it is time to remind the users of these soon-to-be-replaced devices that

a) they don't own the recordings

b) they don't own the boxes