Virgin Media - new contract after house move?

movilogo

I moved house after being 11 months with VM (Broadband + TV).

They have closed my old a/c # and assigned me a new a/c#.

Now they are saying that I need to stay with them for another 12 months as I've opened a "new" a/c with them!

I was never been informed in anyway that moving house means a new contract. That means, if I move house again, then basically I'll be tied in a perpetual contract with them!

Can I quit now - as I've already completed over 12 months since my original contract began?

normanmark

As stated on their terms & conditions:

Will I begin a new 12-month contract when I move?

As we will be supplying your service to a new property a new 12-month contract will be applicable. You will be able to take advantage of any promotional offers at that time.

http://help2.virginmedia.com/help/getContent.jspx?page=help_general_movingleaving

movilogo

That's not fair! It means if someone moves house, before end of 12-month contract, he will be in a never ending loop with new contract!

normanmark

Well the cost of the installing the service is absorbed throughout the 12 months contract. Thats why they start a new contract for each move to a new property. I can recall reading on their home movers FAQ that if you don't want the service at the new property you can pay off the remaining months of the original contract.

movilogo

I heard that VM will increase price from June 2008. Will it include existing customers as well? If yes, can they do that?

ay off the remaining months of the original contract

... which means pay them money for nothing?

normanmark

movilogo wrote: »

I heard that VM will increase price from June 2008. Will it include existing customers as well? If yes, can they do that?

Yes they can do that.

movilogo wrote: »

... which means pay them money for nothing?

Well you've agreed to using the service which means you are agreeing to their T&C's.

I personally recommend that if you're signing yourself up for any future services, with any provider, to read all the small print & T&C's.

movilogo

Yes they can do that.

But if they do so, I can break the contract then?

read all the small print & T&C's

During my initial connection on Jan 2007, when I asked this question, they didn't mention this (it was NTL then though)

normanmark

movilogo wrote: »

But if they do so, I can break the contract then?

Yes you can cancel from that.

movilogo wrote: »

During my initial connection on Jan 2007, when I asked this question, they didn't mention this (it was NTL then though)

In all honesty, whilst it would be nice for advisors to say that it could be liable, its clearly stated in their T&C's. Its your responsibilities to make yourself familiar with.

Put it this way, if you signed up for a 6 month rent contract on a flat & you moved out before them 6 months were up, you would not expect to pay any less than 6 months just because you've moved to a new place.

Like I said, in future make sure you read the small print before entering into any contracts.

DatabaseError

further reading

i'm surprised how often this,and similar, questions are asked, perhaps there could be a sticky explaining that 12month contracts generally run for 12 months, and there will be penalties if anyone wishes to end the contract early, the penalties often being clearly defined in the Terms and Conditions of the contract. I agree, its not nice (i have 6 months left on 2 mobile contracts, paying double what new users are being offered, but i am UNDER CONTRACT so i'm stuffed (for now, plus the first half was free, so it balances)