Originally Posted by nstokes (Post 35508569)

I think the VM woman was trying to keep him with VM so lied to him maybe?

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35508566)

You can find your estimated BB speed below using your postcode

http://www.samknows.com/broadband/broadband_checker

What policy on Sky's BB :confused: its totally unlimited with no traffic management.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35508572)

Really Mr Stokes your imagination is running riot again.:erm:

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35508564)

Well that was an interesting conversation. I spoke with a girl with a Geordie accept who knew her stuff not only about Virgin but SKY and BT. I didn't agree with some of her claims about competition services but she certainly knew information about prices, my distance from the BT exchange, BT and SKY internet usage policy etc...

She looked at how many minutes I use on my home phone line day and night to other landlines, mobile phones and premium numbers. She also looked at my internet usage. I was shocked to learn I downloaded 76Gb in September, 91Gb in October and 77Gb in November.

Basically after a bit of chat she offered me a price which will save me about £1.50 per month once the price increase is put in place.

Oh just remembered. I mentioned about the lack of new channels and HD content. Unlike others on this forum there was no mention of any up coming channel launches. I was simply told BT can't match Virgin for channels at this time and HD is more at SKY.
I advised I'm going to shop around. I have until the 07th January to cancel my services. Must admit I was very impressed. I didn't feel hassled at all. If anything I was made to feel like my custom was really important.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35508613)

Just to add a bit of balance here if Chad has anything to worry about then it has to be the Sky's broadband speeds as in my experiences it is dreadfully slow even though you pay less for it because in my experience you get what you pay for and Virgin's broadband is far superior on that score.:)

Originally Posted by Dave42 (Post 35508617)

very true Den when I look at sky I would only get 1 to 3meg bb no way would I lose over 90 meg on bb

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35508609)

I'm confused a little by your posts Chad what is it your after ? You seem to suggest your unhappy with the TV side however that then seems forgotten after the offer of a discount :confused: it would appear its more cost your focusing on which should be easy to compare , didn't you nearly join Sky last year due to being unhappy with the TV side only to be offered a discount ?

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35508625)

I'm in contract and unhappy at a 3rd price increase in 10 months. I've got a chance here to get out of my contract and move to another provider. In part I'm looking for value for money however I'm also considering what is on offer elsewhere. I've not agreed anything with Virgin yet. Me and the wife recently bought a new TV with 3D and she keeps bending my ear about SKY 3D and SKY Atlantic.

Do SKY still insist that their boxes must be connected to a phone landline? If so, must it be a SKY landline? I'm trying to see if part service from Virgin, part service from SKY might work.

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35508625)

I'm in contract and unhappy at a 3rd price increase in 10 months. I've got a chance here to get out of my contract and move to another provider. In part I'm looking for value for money however I'm also considering what is on offer elsewhere. I've not agreed anything with Virgin yet. Me and the wife recently bought a new TV with 3D and she keeps bending my ear about SKY 3D and SKY Atlantic.

Do SKY still insist that their boxes must be connected to a phone landline? If so, must it be a SKY landline? I'm trying to see if part service from Virgin, part service from SKY might work.

Originally Posted by nstokes (Post 35508626)

Its in the contract paper work that it has to be connected to a phone line not sure if it needs to be Sky line or not. I havnt got any of my boxes connect to my phone line.

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35508628)

What are your BB estimates with Sky ?

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35508629)

Thanks, I'll look into this.

San Knows wasn't working for me earlier. I've now got the results:

BT ADSL broadband availability

ADSL is available in your area
Your exchange is also enabled for ADSL Max services
Your exchange is also enabled for ADSL2+ services

According to BT Wholesale, houses at your postcode should be able to support

up to 2Mbps via ADSL
7.5Mbps or greater ADSL connection via ADSL Max
17Mbps or greater via ADSL2+

Standard ADSL RAG results
You can receive 2Mbps ADSL
You can receive 1Mbps ADSL
You can receive 512kbps ADSL
You can receive 256kbps ADSL

You are approximately 638 metres from the exchange. Note that this is the straight line distance - the actual cable length will be longer!

---------- Post added at 16:08 ---------- Previous post was at 16:05 ----------



According to the SKY website 11.2 - 18.0 Mbps

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35508629)

Thanks, I'll look into this.

San Knows wasn't working for me earlier. I've now got the results:

BT ADSL broadband availability

ADSL is available in your area
Your exchange is also enabled for ADSL Max services
Your exchange is also enabled for ADSL2+ services

According to BT Wholesale, houses at your postcode should be able to support

up to 2Mbps via ADSL
7.5Mbps or greater ADSL connection via ADSL Max
17Mbps or greater via ADSL2+

Standard ADSL RAG results
You can receive 2Mbps ADSL
You can receive 1Mbps ADSL
You can receive 512kbps ADSL
You can receive 256kbps ADSL

You are approximately 638 metres from the exchange. Note that this is the straight line distance - the actual cable length will be longer!

---------- Post added at 16:08 ---------- Previous post was at 16:05 ----------



According to the SKY website 11.2 - 18.0 Mbps

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35508632)

17mb or greater will eat On Demand downloads , I only receive 9mb and content is generally ready in seconds , does it say whether your exchange has BT FTTC ?

Sky always give an estimate as I believe you can cancel it should it fall below their estimate.

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35508641)

It won't be available until 31/03/2013

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35508613)

Just to add a bit of balance here if Chad has anything to worry about then it has to be the Sky's broadband speeds as in my experiences it is dreadfully slow even though you pay less for it because in my experience you get what you pay for and Virgin's broadband is far superior on that score.:)

Originally Posted by neilo (Post 35507700)

The letter is in.... and it's going up by £5.04.

Distinct lack of breakdown of charge on the letter... maybe they don't know it?

---------- Post added at 14:50 ---------- Previous post was at 14:16 ----------

Just contacted VM and was told that they can't reduce my price as I am on the best package alledgedly but the lady said I could reduce my services and save money.

So I told them I would like to lose the landline as I never use it. She then said that that would mean my bill would go up!

You just couldn't make it up could you?!

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35509711)

If I call virgin to cancel all services tomorrow due to the price increases, what is expected of me?

Will all my services be cut off straight away or do I have to keep the services for 30 days. Also what would I be liable to pay? I'm due to pay about £98.00 on the 20th December, as per my last bill.

Originally Posted by geordiechris (Post 35509736)

When I left all I had to do was give 30 days notice. Your £98 will be taken as usual but then your next bill will have a pro-rated credit added to your account. I suppose if you're going to cancel all of your services then they should refund you the credit back to your bank account but this probably isn't guaranteed. What I would do is cancel your direct debit at the bank so that they can't take the payment, Virgin will then, on your next bill cycle credit the pro-rated amount and advise you what is owing.

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35509741)

Thanks for the info. So if I cancel tomorrow I'll need too keep my Virgin services until about the 09th January before they get the chop?

Originally Posted by geordiechris (Post 35509743)

Yes and what you can do, if you want, is to first downgrade any package you're on to the minimum and then tell them you want to cancel

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35509747)

I'm a bit wary of doing that. If I ask them to make any changes wouldn't that be considered as me makes changes to the contract nullifying my ability to cancel under the price increase? I've got a great deal lined up with SKY and I don't want to blow it:

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/92...l#post35509744

Originally Posted by geordiechris (Post 35509749)

I wouldn't have thought it would have any impact as you're not changing your contract, only the package. I added sports and movies to my package for the 30 days notice I had to give at the same time as speaking to retentions to cancel and that didn't impact my ability to cancel.

Originally Posted by paultrademark (Post 35509831)

We got the same deal last year via a mate in sky. Had it 10 days as the bb speed was estimated about 11 to 15mb and we got about 2mb so got it all disconnected.

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35509839)

You must have had a serious fault with your line or your internal wiring.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35509867)

Well my parents when they got Sky installed two years ago were promised 20Mb and the most they get is about 1Mb and despite all their protests about the promised speeds the speeds are still the same.:td:

Originally Posted by Qtx (Post 35509874)

Glad you noticed that too muppetman :LOL:

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35509873)

Yet again you've come in with an anti Sky rant despite telling us in the Sky section your parents live a long way from the exchange and are on a long line , so basically they'll never get 20mb over ADSL much like my parents hence why they choose VM BB.

Originally Posted by nstokes (Post 35509878)

Love there battles its so funny :D

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35509882)

Be careful Mr Stokes as your master seems displeased today.;)

Originally Posted by nstokes (Post 35509878)

Love there battles its so funny :D

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35509882)

Its better to have a bit of balance MM rather then one thats slanted one way or tother.:)

Originally Posted by Qtx (Post 35509889)

:dmonk: :ninja:

Seems muppet tangles with the ones who always bash sky, whereas I always tangle with the ones who post pro-vm while they claim i am anti-vm.

Gotta have balance, the ying to the yang :juggle:

---------- Post added at 10:55 ---------- Previous post was at 10:53 ----------



Lying to give balance has no justification though. Opinions are fine, but your post muppet responded too was plain wrong.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35509894)

l think you will find that promising certain speeds is lying especially when it cannot be delivered.

Originally Posted by Qtx (Post 35509895)

Will find the url of the site that shows actual speedtest results by postcode and post if for you to try your parents postcode

---------- Post added at 11:13 ---------- Previous post was at 11:10 ----------

http://www.uswitch.com/broadband/speedtest/streetstats/

Originally Posted by BenMcr (Post 35509897)

That shows speedtest results - but doesn't say what tier the people that have done it are on (for any provider), so you can't tell whether they are getting what they pay for or not

Originally Posted by RobbEd in (Post 35509900)

...and it won't show that the test has been carried out at the end of a poor wifi connection. I only get 8Mb from my 20Mb connection because I have an ancient G router. This is my choice but if I were to do such a speed test it would give a wrong impression of my ISP which delivers a solid 20Mb service. (I am a Samknows test site)

Originally Posted by paultrademark (Post 35509831)

We got the same deal last year via a mate in sky. Had it 10 days as the bb speed was estimated about 11 to 15mb and we got about 2mb so got it all disconnected.

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35509839)

You must have had a serious fault with your line or your internal wiring.

Originally Posted by paultrademark (Post 35509974)

Possibly, but their time to resolve was not acceptable and no doubt there would be costs involved if it was internal wiring so went back to VM on a better deal.

Originally Posted by Sirius (Post 35509922)

Originally Posted by Qtx (Post 35509993)

then it rules out distance from the exchange being the issue.

Originally Posted by Dave42 (Post 35510058)

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2012/12/44.png

as you see im 100meg that's what I get would only get 1 to 3 meg on sky no one on here would lose over 90meg to switch

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35510086)

I am.

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35510086)

I am.

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35510096)

Cheers lads. Feel free to send any spare bandwidth my way and I'll record you some Games of Thrones etc... :)

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35510096)

Cheers lads. Feel free to send any spare bandwidth my way and I'll record you some Games of Thrones etc... :)

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35510135)

No thanks Chad as l have just bought Series one and have ordered Series two as well.:D

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35510147)

Didn't you tell us you'd had it bought for you back in March 2012 :confused:

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/35...-post2384.html

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35509867)

Well my parents when they got Sky installed two years ago were promised 20Mb and the most they get is about 1Mb and despite all their protests about the promised speeds the speeds are still the same.:td:

Originally Posted by geordiechris (Post 35510122)

Chad, if I can, can I ask how your conversation with Virgin went today and what the outcome was?

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35510183)

Oh just been told they are busy and I could be 15 minutes. I was then told I might like to call them back later and goodbye. The call was ended! I was happy to bloody wait.

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35510183)

I'm on the phone to Virgin just now. I'm currently on hold. I did tell them on Saturday that I planned to leave.

Oh just been told they are busy and I could be 15 minutes. I was then told I might like to call them back later and goodbye. The call was ended! I was happy to bloody wait.

Back on the phone again :mad:

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35510188)

Same again second and third time round :mad:

Don't they close at 8pm? This is hacking me right off. Must be plenty of people leaving virgin today.

Originally Posted by geordiechris (Post 35510203)

WOW!! So that's there game. Glad i've already cancelled mine

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35510199)

He advised I should be careful what I post as Virgin can and will hold me liable for any misleading or inaccurate posts!

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35510210)

Seriously I can't believe the guy was trying to control what I post here with the threat of potential liable action.

Originally Posted by geordiechris (Post 35510246)

I hope you got his full name to make a complaint, not that the complaint will be acknowledged like (speaking from experience on this one)

Originally Posted by geordiechris (Post 35510246)

I hope you got his full name to make a complaint, not that the complaint will be acknowledged like (speaking from experience on this one)

Originally Posted by Peter_ (Post 35510253)

If he was an offshore agent then you would be urinating into the wind for all the good it would do, probably the same here nowadays.;)

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35510255)

Just his first name. It should be easy for virgin to find the guy who cancelled my services.

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35510255)

Just his first name. It should be easy for virgin to find the guy who cancelled my services.





No he was down in Sheffield.

Originally Posted by geordiechris (Post 35510260)

Considering it's VM we're talking about, don't be so sure lol

Originally Posted by geordiechris (Post 35510260)

Did you downgrade your package before cancelling like I suggested or did you keep it as it is?

---------- Post added at 20:32 ---------- Previous post was at 20:30 ----------



Considering it's VM we're talking about, don't be so sure lol

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35510273)

Keep the services as is for the Xmas period. My SKY TV install date is the 19th December. Their website wouldn't let me book another date. I'm going to call them tomorrow to push it back if possible.

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35510273)

Keep the services as is for the Xmas period. My SKY TV install date is the 19th December. Their website wouldn't let me book another date. I'm going to call them tomorrow to push it back if possible.

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35510273)

Keep the services as is for the Xmas period. My SKY TV install date is the 19th December. Their website wouldn't let me book another date. I'm going to call them tomorrow to push it back if possible.

Originally Posted by Qtx (Post 35510372)

Know what you mean about speaking to cancellations cementing the feeling you are doing the right thing. They were pretty rude in their attempt to trick me into staying by their lies about other providers.

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu (Post 35512530)

Hi Chad, l wouldn't worry about any libel action from VM, l have told them loads of times what l think of there service. If you read my comment on coming soon' l have placed on there an article that l had a discussion with them, over those dreaded numbers that appear on the live sports.

I pay VM to watch live sports NOT to watch those damn numbers, and had a right go on there phone to the CEO's office

VM wouldn't know how to look after there customers, there PR is terrible, and keeping customers don't make me laugh, if l ran the company l would sack the lot of them and run it myself.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35512734)

Well Chad you actually you could turn it round and say that they are becoming somewhat desperate to try to entice new customers because as we stand Virgin's TV base has increased percentage wise more then Sky's and then on top of that we have the rip roaring success of the TiVo something which Sky cannot compete with at all.:)

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35512747)

Maybe they are or maybe they're trying to capitalise on ex customers, who have moved Virgin, who are currently unhappy with price increases and lack of new content.

You've got to admit though that it is a fantastic offer. It doesn't matter what slant we put on it, what they are offering for £24.12 per month for 12 months is great value. Do you agree?

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35512747)

Maybe they are or maybe they're trying to capitalise on ex customers, who have moved Virgin, who are currently unhappy with price increases and lack of new content.

You've got to admit though that it is a fantastic offer. It doesn't matter what slant we put on it, what they are offering for £24.12 per month for 12 months is great value. Do you agree?

Originally Posted by Dave42 (Post 35512758)

yes it very good offer from sky VM will never offer something like that sadly only price increases :mad:

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35512760)

Yes its excellent value but remember there is a harsh sting at the end of the twelve months as their contracts end as their bills rises exponentially.

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35512761)

What it highlights to me is that all TV providers are clearly overcharging for their content. I wonder how low SKY, and Virgin via retentions, could actually go?

---------- Post added at 13:28 ---------- Previous post was at 13:23 ----------



True however after 12 months they will be free to move to another provider. What I've learned so far from Digital Spy and SKY User Forum is SKY will bend over backwards to keep you, if you don't try and take the ****. If you call SKY at the end of 12 months advising you can't afford the full price and want to leave, SKY won't keep your deal rebated at 75%, but might offer you 50% for 6 months with the remaining 6 months at full price.

Sky World (All channels inc Sports and Movies) Excluding HD is £13.87 a month on a 12 month contract. People have posted in this thread they've had around £13.00 per month worth of price increases from Virgin in the past 10 months alone. It's going to be interesting to see what offers SKY and Virgin are offering in the summer when BT step up. Should be a great time for consumers.

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35512747)

Maybe they are or maybe they're trying to capitalise on ex customers, who have moved Virgin, who are currently unhappy with price increases and lack of new content.

You've got to admit though that it is a fantastic offer. It doesn't matter what slant we put on it, what they are offering for £24.12 per month for 12 months is great value. Do you agree?

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35512760)

Yes its excellent value but remember there is a harsh sting at the end of the twelve months as their contracts end as their bills rises exponentially.

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35512772)

And in 12 months there free to shop around again , why would anyone be so loyal to any company :confused:

In 12 months there'll be deals from VM , BT , Talk Talk etc , I only ever look on my provider 12 months at a time as things can and so often do change over this period of time.

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35512772)

And in 12 months there free to shop around again , why would anyone be so loyal to any company :confused:

In 12 months there'll be deals from VM , BT , Talk Talk etc , I only ever look on my provider 12 months at a time as things can and so often do change over this period of time.

Originally Posted by Top banana (Post 35512767)

Yes def a great deal, although suspect Denphone is right re struggling for new customer numbers, they have had this problem all year, which is odd when they have kept Atlantic, formula 1 and other stuff exclusive to themselves. Maybe the number of people looking for multi channel TV has dried up?

However Sky are having a lot of success moving more of their existing customers onto triple play.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35512781)

Even though we have had three price rises in the past year VM have always been good to me in the past and in my mind loyalty is important because when there are problems VM have always sent someone around quickly at no extra cost to sort it out quickly and alas thats something you cannot say about the other suppliers and that is certainly one of the stings in the tail amongst other things.:)

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35512785)

Only 95,000 new TV customer from September 2011 to September 2012. They are however doing a fantastic job upselling customers, and as you've suggested, getting people onto triple play.

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/4023/skyfigures.jpg

---------- Post added at 14:09 ---------- Previous post was at 14:03 ----------



Got to agree, I've never had any problems with Virgin in the past. I'm saving £600 this year by joining SKY. I can afford to pay for a SKY engineer visit ever 40 days and still be better off :p:

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35512734)

Virgin's TV base has increased percentage wise more then Sky's