Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Which is exactly what you objected to at VM

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

A landline is essential, even as just a back up. What if you have a 999 emergency and no credit/power/signal on your mobile ? If there is a powercut the landline still works (as long as you don't just have cordless) , most mobile networks go down.

None of this detracts from the thrust of the thread, that VM are thieving capitalist swine; however Sky etc. are exactly the same. A colleague swaps between SKY/VM annually to get the best new customers deals - it is the thing to do if you can be bothered, which I and most others can't. It must cause them a lot of admin costs, guess we should all do the same.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

I was the same, i didn't want a landline but if i didn't get a price from VM that i thought was acceptable i would have had no other choice but to go with another provider, that means getting a landline as there's no other option. I wouldn't have plugged a phone in though.

Having a normal landline installed would have opened me up to offers from all the other suppliers again, which in my view was a great trade off.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Mine and my families TV viewing habits have changed so much over the years that I'm not prepared to continue to pay for services that are simply not used. It's ironic that'll I'll being signing up to Sky for broadband with a landline but it's the best value for money.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

I've a suspicion you'll find the majority of landlines now are cordless. Certainly been a decade since I've used a corded landline.

Just how things have gone.

---------- Post added at 12:34 ---------- Previous post was at 12:31 ----------

Kinda indeed. Sky cross-subsidise.

VM could probably do with a lower end package that costs less. I think one is on the way.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

I keep a corded phone near the main telephone socket in case of mains failure.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Chances are, if you're in a situation where you have an emergency and all power is down, the emergency services will be at capacity anyway.

Unless you're vulnerable, I don't think a landline is "essential" at all.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Mobile phones do not require credit to dial 999, or even signal from your operator. As for power... Keep a spare battery? Most DECT phones are battery powered anyway.

And all mobile networks have battery backups on their transmitters.

---------- Post added at 02:40 ---------- Previous post was at 02:38 ----------

I keep a cordless mobile... well I have dozens of them. Not to mention anything with a USB socket (laptop, tablet, portable charger) will power any phone too.

And not to mention in the near future with fibre or IP based voice services you'll be at the mercy of local battery backups on your landline too.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

But the base station requires mains power, so unless there is one with a battery backed base station, I'd say a mobile phone is more likely to help in the event of an emergency during a power failure.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

I called to moan about price increase. Well not moan, rather a "what can you do for me". I had staved off the last 2,price increases this way.
I was offered to add sky movies and HD pack for less than I'm currently paying for 9 months.

200Mb
Tv XL
1 tivo
1 v+hd
Phone XL
Sky movies
Sky hd pack
£66 inc line rental

Not too shabby
For me personally the speedy bb is essential especially for 4k streaming.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Exactly.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Roughly what I have, but the line rental is paid for a year upfront and I have Sports as well.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

I'm fed up of the ever increasing costs too .. In addition to the cable broadband I currently have TV XL with a V+.

Would it be possible to easily downgrade to something like TV S without the V+ capability without Virgin insisting on me renewing for 12 months? Frankly I have no interest in paying for a package of broadcast channels at all - I'm more than happy with even what Freeview offers plus streaming stuff from Amazon Prime and Netflix. And I can get BT Sport on my Chromecast courtesy of the BT broadband and BT TV at my parents place (which I pay for) so I just use that account to log in to their streaming app.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

M is the lowest TV pack. Call Customer Services and see what they can do for you.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

That's the best policy in my view.

If you talk to retentions (or anyone for that matter) with an attitude, then you will likely not get very far. The guys at the end of the line are people too, and your opinions on evil money grabbing management or whatever isn't really of their concern.

It's a responsibility of the individual to make sure they're getting the best value for them as a customer. If you're too lazy to pick up the phone (Or in the case of energy, insurance etc) and to use comparison sites to save yourself some money but have time to moan about it, then stop using your time so badly.

Even if it took a few hours a year to go through all "fixed" services to negotiate the best deals, it is time well spent.

Edit: Before I get it in the neck...Those who are vulnerable should be able to nominate those able to negiotate in their best interests or failing that, be assessed according to their need and charged fairly, and frankly should be protected from price rise rounds like this. Profiteering from groups like this goes beyond my support of a free market as there are of course people who cannot fight back using their consumer rights as the vast majority of people can.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

I called VM the other night. I was paying £59.99 a month for XL TV (Without the Sports/movies) 152 BB and M phone as I hardly ever use it.

Now I'm paying £71.24 for the next 9 months and a £40 credit to my account as I now have Sports and movies in HD and they've upped my broadband to 200mg.

Not bad for an extra £11.25 a month seeing as what Sports/movies and HD cost altogether. Then after 9 months I was told to call again to see what they can offer.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Same here, improved deal and told to call again after 9 months because effectively they've switched you to a new package so you get the new customer price for those 9 months.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Yes they did say that they've put me on a new customer offer, So I'm now on the Big Kahuna Sports & Movies bundle instead of just the Big Kahuna bundle.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Talk Talk doing free unlimited Fibre Broadband for 12 months, then its £10 per month, plus line rental......way way cheaper than Virgin

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

If all you care about is cost Virgin Media are the wrong operator.

People piling into TalkTalk is all good; my service runs on TalkTalk Business so won't be affected by any congestion caused :)

---------- Post added at 19:47 ---------- Previous post was at 19:45 ----------

Reasonable deal that.

Read elsewhere a customer complaining about Virgin Media's lack of loyalty to existing customers as they wouldn't give him 50% off to match Sky's January deal.

Presumably they would only offer him the new customer deal.

How rude of them.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

I have heard to many bad reports about Talk Talk and I think you have to pay them when you leave ,

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Well if I went with Sky for everything and fibre unlimited with the 50% off code GETSKY50 (Which I can't anyway as I live in a tower block that won't allow us to have our own dishes) It would've been £65.27 a month for a year.

I did ask if they could throw in the HD for free as then it'll work out about the same if I could go with Sky but it wouldn't let them do it and I didn't want to push my luck any further.

Anyway, I'm happy with what I got!

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Talking about loyalty, virgin have just mailshot my area with a bunch of 'exclusive' discounts to new customers. We never got one, so it's definitely targeted at non-vm households rather than just a complete crapshoot like normal mailshots.

http://store.virginmedia.com/special...hswelcomeoffer (virginmedia.com/discounts)

And it's actually 12 months of discounts, not 9 :p

If your arguing with retentions for new customer deals, these seem like the ones to aim for.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

We never received a letter about the coming price rise, I thought we would have had one by now.

We have 200Mb and their basic phone. I don't think broadband is going up but the phone line rental is so I assume it'll be £1 more a month.
We pay £45.99 at the moment with a £6 loyalty discount so I assume it will be £46.99 in February.

They sure do seem to be getting expensive...

(It'd help if my mother agreed to use direct debit, but saving £5 a month more isn't something she seems to care much about). I think that payment fee is a right rip.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

l would not touch them with a bargepole nash.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Thanks Den

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

TalkTalk are 'okay'. I'm using their network, though not them as a retail operator.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

All isps charge a broadband cease fee when moving to virgin as it's charged by openreach

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

MrB states that among other increases, the line saver is to increase from £164 to £184. I have not been informed of this but it does not seem credible that the standard increase is of 5.8% and the saver of 12%. There is no point to this, surely no one will pay in advance to pay a higher rate?

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

You're thinking of it the wrong way round for LRS.

Line rental over 12 months is going from £203.88 (£16.99 x 12) to £215.88 (£17.99 x 12)

The payment for LRS is increasing as you said, but you still do save:

The previous saving was £39.88 over 12 months.
The new saving will be £31.88 over 12 months.

The calculations exclude any other line rental increases over the 12 month period you've pay LRS for.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Phoned up Retentions yesterday, want to save some money.
I'm on Big Kahuna, with 152mb and XL phone and a 1tb TiVo, Paying about £68 for it before price rise.

Was offered L TV, XL phone & 70mb BB for about £47, that was also taking into account the Feb price rise.

Currently I could get 50% off Sky TV and Fibre unlimited and that deal would be about £45 for the Family bundle.

Not bothered about BT sport or high BB speed, but would prefer HD and unlimited BB, and a 1tb min pvr.

Not 100% sure what I want to do, and potentially I could get Sky q for what I am paying now, with Fibre unlimited.
Is the Retentions deal a good deal, or could I get better from them, as I am out of contract now.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Leg it to Sky. Given your stated requirements you are with the wrong company. Sky are a better fit.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Seems a no brainer. Go to sky for at least 12 months

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

With the experience many of my friends have had with them, it's probably worth it :)

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

I paid my rental up front for Virgin,

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

We never received a letter telling us what our bill was going to be from this month, I just checked this months bill and had bill-shock, our 200Mb and basic Phone has gone from £45.99 to £49.48!! That's an increase of £3.49.

We have a £6 loyalty discount too, when that ends our bill will be £55.48.

This price increase is quite frankly disgusting.

I would like to not have to pay the payment handling fee of £5.00, that would save a little money but I live with my mother, it's her account and she refuses to pay that way. :rolleyes:

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

A, ha. Glad to know I wasn't the only person to not get any notification then.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Not good news at all

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Call them up and talk to them about it.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

I did call them up about it and I was told that it was what she called an "invisible discount" and there was no price rise from £28.50 to £30.25 for 50mbps customers.

I was looking to renew but after hearing that little gem of a toilet chunk I cancelled the whole lot.

I won't be lied to. If it was not a price increase why did so many others get told about it!

I tried 200 and it was terrible anyway - and this is meant to be a 300 business area!

Sorry I forgot to say I was also someone who didn't get told about the price rise. I didn't use my connection for about 4 months due to renovation but paid the bill and didn't know it had gone up.

All meant nothing to VM in the end. I am borrowing a BT connection until I can get some FTTC installed.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Email tom Mockerage and tell him.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Who me? I might well do for the sake of customer feedback but it wouldn't stop me from leaving. I've arranged to pay my neighbour £5 for a month of usage while she is away and in the mean time I am going to get BT Infinity installed.

One thing I do a lot of is FTP and te single thread speeds I get are really really bad, less than 10mbps most of the time. I struggle to get more than 1-2mbps on Virgin even though it starts off at around 9MB/sec ( from a server with 100mbps symmetrical) where as on BT it sticks at 9 all day long.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

I decided to cancel Virgin last night, and go with the Sky half price offer.

I think the final straw was seeing my recent bill creep up to £77 (excluding any off plan call charges), that and there was a little section on the bill that said it included my £8 loyalty discount, however it said CR £2.97 in that section.
That's for TVXL, 152Mbps BB, Phone XL

Queried that with Virgin, and they said that I'd lose that discount at the end of March anyway taking my services upto £80.
Best they could offer me was TVXL, 100Mbps BB and Phone XL for £72 (ish) or same offer with Evening and weekends at £68

Sky's offer was Family bundle, Fibre unlimited, both 50% off for 12 months, evening and weekend calls (including to mobiles) and line rental for £49.40
Signed up for that, and phoned Virgin back to cancel and they said they couldn't get anywhere near that.

If they could have got down to somewhere near £55 - £60 for a package including TVXL then I might have stayed.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

You are absolutely right to vote with your wallet.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

I phoned up as my £50 was going up from £50 by £3.99, decided to go from TV XL to M+ as we rarely watch the channels we would lose.

Was asked if I wanted to go down to 50M or up to 100M as I couldn't stay on 70M; what's the price difference says I? Nothing says she!.......No brainier so now on 100M and paying £37 instead.

To me, their business model seems wrong, instead of say losing the £3.99 increase, they have now lost £13 per month, seems crazy and shortsighted!

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

I took the TV offer when I left VM and got the top sky TV with Movies and Sports with 2 tivo's and all the extras for £43.49. I'll call them up when my contract runs out in July see what they can do for me with Fibre although I suspect I have missed that boat as it was a leave VM exclusive like you have got.

Bloody good deal though!

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

I've been with Virgin for about 7 years, started on M+ with 20 Mb BB, seen the price increase from around £30 per month to £80 (more so since I've been on the Big Kahuna), probably risen about £20 in the last two years for me, and that's including deals.

It's to keep the customers, I find it bizarre that certain combinations of their products trigger deals, and others increase the bundle price astronomically.
I like Sky's pricing for that, as it's clear what you get, and discounts are applied over all different variations of the service so you can pick and chose what you want.

I think the current Sky deal is 50% TV for Virgin or BT customers switching, and the BB deal is for everyone, but not sure on offers for upgrading.

Although I have heard stories of people getting stupidly good deals from Sky just to stay with them (most of them put in their cancellation notice though).

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Not a bad offer. I suspect now the price rises are "locked in" that VM wont be as aggressive with their offers now.

Back in the new year I rang up to query the price rise. I was facing a near £5 increase for TV XL, 200mb and M phone from £63 to nearer £68. I was given a decrease in my bill for 9 months to £58, a one off credit of £54, and an upgrade to the Sky Sports package for free. Come September I shall see what to do as I can't see that deal continuing, so I may ditch the Sports and continue with the package otherwise unchanged.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Seems like some here have missed a "trick" or 3 unfortunately?
My Big K bundle is still intact as of a year ago free upgrade from 50Tier and the Feb/March increase was £2.99 - a bit closer to RPI.
Simple to mitigate the rise (for a year until next rise in 4Q probably) by using the Line Rental Saver before Feb and then renegotiate again this May when current loyalty discounts finish. LRS works out at about £166 (allowing for loss of interest) and not £184 etc.
Perversely (albeit creative accounting) the monthly bill is now ~£15 cheaper pcm than this time last year! :cool:

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Missed a call from Putbound Retentions this morning.
Spoke to VM this evening to ask them to call in the evening.

Will see what they have to offer if they call again..

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Like the £49 someone got on here for everything including fibre unlimited - dam good deal

They sure love taking VM customers away.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

It was me that has the £49 deal for Family, Fibre Unlimited and Evening and Weekends.

The only thing that puts me off Sky though is the fact you own the equipment, so have to pay for fixes and replacements. That aside I'm a bit excited about the change.

I think retentions would have to offer me something very good to stay now.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

I know the SkyQ gear is rented like VM do and therefore repaired for free. But I thought any new gear bought after the announcement was.

I only managed to get TV for £43.49 had I know about the Fibre I would have tried to get the same deal!

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

But at least you don't have the recycled modems and STB Virgin churn out.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

In fairness on Virgin you're still better off buying your own router anyway.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

We actually had a guy turn up at our door from VM last week, wanting the old equipment back from the people who lived there before us... Didn't know they had a "field collections" team

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Presumably still cost effective than pursuing via debt collection agency/litigation to recover equipment cost from a non account holder?
This sometimes concerns me when Trialling Hubs and STB's for VM and accumulating shelf full of equipment and ultimately getting "chased" for it's return upto 6 years later! :(
Worse getting mistakenly "billed" if some idiot hasn't read my customer notes as increasingly one has to tediously explain to callcentre tech why multiple mac addresses appear on his system and he's been too lazy to check customer's history first! :cool:

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

I have a number of old modems and STBs, techs have refused to take them, CS don't seem interested.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Currently Virgin Media will want back the following kit

SH 2 / 2ac / Hub 3.0

All TiVo STBs

V HD and Samsung V+ HD

All other kit is not collected or requested. It can be recycled.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

I had a guy collect my kit, he then sent me an email confirming collection, which was nice, cause it helps prove that the account was closed, I didn't want them to carry on billing me.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

I don't recall any of my old equipment being taken back and I've been a cable customer for 20 years. I did send my old PACE TV box back in the post , suspect they just scrapped at the other end and it'll cost them loads of postage.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

VM didn't want their Motorola Surfboard back but they took back their Ambit 256 modem with me.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

My increase just kicked in with my bill generating.

I am seriously thinking of changing my package or even leaving. Sky's offer of a new LG TV or 50% off are tempting, but I think my way to go is to ditch Landline and TV, there's only me and my wife now the kids have left.

We never use the landline and I can get Fox and Discovery on NowTV the rest of the channels in XL we never watch.

I've just about made up my mind.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Thanks for that clarification, makes sense to me. My cupboard under the stairs has stuff way older than that, getting the newer stuff back makes sense though. Some of my old kit has Cable & Wireless logos on it from memory...:shocked:

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Ah yes the old thermionic valve modems with 7.5mm jackplugs to select your speed in bits per minute..... :dunce:

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Interesting that I have a SH2 and 2AC (due to being on trials) and they have said recycle both.
I guess there is a cost in retrieving that kit and reconditioning for further use off me but both been told to bin them basically.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

They have told me that they will be sending me some packaging to send back the TiVo and SH2 when my cancellation goes through.

On that note, apart from one call two days after I cancelled my service I have not heard from Virgin.
I did call them back that evening, was told by a customer service rep that it was Outbound retentions trying to get hold of me, and I let suitable times to contact.
I've not heard anything since.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

What is the best approach when what you have agreed does not match what has been applied to your account please? Who is best to contact please? Loyalty phoned me and made me an offer to stay with a certain mix of services for a new price, yet what is showing on my account now does not match what we agreed (other services have been downgraded which is not what I understood I had agreed to). Many thanks

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Call thinking of leaving us or whatever it is called now. They should be able to help.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Thank you - I thought it may be a good idea to try to understand what is now on my account first. I have been speaking to online chat just to get an idea what has been applied to my account as it will not be clear until the next bill - interested to note that my "free" upgrade has been removed as a result of the changes made (now showing the final speed will be 100MB not 100Mb being upgraded to 150Mb - the message has gone and it said I had now received my upgrade to 100Mb?)and my package price is less than I understood it would be, but the services have been downgraded too (phone package down from XL to M, Talk Unlimited 2 and Talk Mobile 2 removed, BB now 100Mb not 100Mb going to 150Mb - £5 less than I understood was agreed but always frustrating when what you understood you had agreed to is not what happens).

I know I will get little sympathy as I stilll have Mates Rates and still have 100Mb, XL TV, M Phone and 2xTivo - £32 per month for 12 months (plus I had already paid £164 line rental saver). What I had was 100Mb (going to) 150Mb, XL TV, XL Phone (plus Talk Unlimited 2 and Talk Mobile 2), 2 x Tivo, 1xV+ (plus £164 line rental saver). What I believed I agreed to was £37 per month (plus line rental saver already paid £164) for 100Mb (going to) 150Mb, XL TV, XL Phone (plus Talk Unlimited 2 and Talk Mobile 2), 2 x Tivo (plus £164 line rental saver).

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Sheesh - if you're naive enough to admit you ever worked for VM publicly - then you deserve all you get!

Seriously "eventus stultorum magister":

1. Always record all calls (advise agent), always ask for Agent ID, ask them to confirm they've noted your Customer Notes, and always state you don't acknowledge agree to the offer untill you see it in writing.

2. Treat any offer/information from offshore with extreme prejudice and alway ring Retentions and confirm what was written on customer notes from previous call.

3. Any dispute then ring Retentions, give them 7 days to acknowlege your complaint in writing or you will start CISAS/IPSA adjudication proceedings, requiring a solution or deadlock letter and settlement in 8weeks.

Meantime email Tom Mockeridge (or if you're near Hook and your Freemason's Rotary/golf club fees are upto date then he's normally on the 19th Tee)... include your MP, The Register, and your EuroMP....
OK let's be realistic - forget the MP's just email the Register and Watchdog...

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Mates rates isn't just for employees, employees get "My rates". Mates Rates is for friends (Which is what employees drop down to when they leave, true enough...).

On the call recording front, if the agent is ok with you recording the call then go for it, but keep in mind they're legally allowed to refuse in much the same way you're legally allowed to refuse when you hear the automated message telling them the same. And as Horseman states, you absolutely must tell them you're recording the call - and at the very beginning, not half-way through.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Anything for ex NTL/VM pensioners? :)

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Don't hold back ... :D. I haven't ever worked for Virgin Media, a friend referred me quite some years ago. The conversation was with the UK team. Otherwise, yes I should have kept a recording, though I had no reason to hear otherwise to what I thought I had agreed to. I was open to stay but this time have even ordered Sky (that I am now contracted to), so it was not just an idle threat to bring the price down this time (I could have lived with just the phone line, as I have paid for it for a year anyway, and hopefully got a good deal on broadband with them, but given some of the offers elsewhere could have taken the hit on these too and switched all services and still saved money even paying for the phone line twice.

After exploring various options which didn't save much money, I understood a loyalty discount was being added and a V+ being removed to bring the cost down further and that was the only change I agreed to.

I can live with losing the XL phone and the other two phone add ons as this has brought the price down further by £5 more than I thought was possible, it would have been nice to have discussed it and agreed to it first though - it is, however, annoying that the "free" speed upgrade is not going to materialise though, as there was no mention of this changing in the call. The 100Mb going to 150 has been replaced by 100Mb going forward - so I assume somewhere it was downgraded to a lower plan and then upgraded to the new 100Mb level? It would be nice to have the "free" upgrade and leave the phone/price etc as it now stands, if that were possible with the changes made to the phone plan and removal of V+? The loyalty discount was offered without any changes (but 12 month contract).

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Tut tut... I did it again (omitted the smilies replying to the OP)! :dunce:

Interesting conclusion though wrt "recording" as in last 6 years it always been offshore that "dithered" when advised, 1 had to refer to her supervisor, and 1 refused and had to transfer me to Retentions! Curiously all UK agents have never had to think about it and never phased with the request!

At least to me that tells its own story?

Anyway irrelevant (as is my quips about VM Mates) but appears that a few users have been burnt after the 25Sept "cut-off" by "downgrading" or "tweaking" parts of their bundle and CS not advising them that this drops them out of the free SpeedBoost? I'd expect that of offshore but a tad unfriendly for UK agent to do it, especially to a Mate! :p:

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

It's all right, it was more just general advice and emphasis because it's a legal thing, you don't want to get caught out with that :)

Come to think of it, I am not sure how the rules affect offshore. Technically, they're not under jurisdiction of OFCOM, but they are representing a company that is?

I did not know about this! Though I suspect it's less down to malice/incompetence and more down to the agents themselves not being aware of this.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Out of interest, if you drop Talk International 2, Talk Mobile 2 and from XL to M phone, what price difference should there be please? This is what has changed on my package (plus the not getting the "free" 100 to 10Mb BB upgrade :mad:) with a reduction of £5 - I know, I am on mates rates and package prices are not the same as individual elements, but is £5 about right for this or should it be more?

Many thanks

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

After the bill shock last month it looks like VM are cutting the payment handling charge from £5 to just 45p a month for non Direct Debit payments, dunno if it's for everyone but this change is long overdue. I just got an email saying this will be on our next bill.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

That would be a welcome development. We're out of contract and don't pay by DD so as to chose when the payment is made. A variable income tends to force this.

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

An update - my new contract has arrived and I am still not clear - there is no longer mention of Mates rates anymore (which is fine if that means a better deal). It says I bought Big Kahuna Bundle:

Virgin Phone
12 months line rental saver
Talk Weekends
Telephone Line Rental
Wifi Tracking Code

Virgin Broadband
VIVID 100 Optical Fibre

Virgin RV
0001 Additional V Box
TV Size:XL
TiVo Monthly Fee

Your monthly service charge £39

The above contract price(s) do not include the credit of £7 a month for 12 months.

So for the contract is it £39-£7 minus what I have already paid for Line Rental Saver or £39-£7 plus what I have already paid for the phone line please? It may become clearer when I get my next bill but that is beyond the 14 day cancellation and he contract arrived a week after the phone call, so already against the clock if I want to change anything. To recap I have XL TV, 100MB Bb/M Phone plus 2xTivo.

According to the website Big Kahuna includes VIVID 200 but mine stares 100 (and no longer getting the "free" speed upgrade). Depending on answers I can probably live with the phone downgrade but also removing my "free" speed upgrade without notice is a little cheeky - and actually, changing my package to something different to what we discussed and agreed is also not really the best approach.

Any help appreciated please.

Many thanks

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

Your no longer on matesrates and no longer on the Big Kahuna

Re: Virgin Media - Above Inflation Rises from 1st February
 

I have now spoken to them but they say they only offer 3 speeds of Internet 50, 100, 200 and the other speeds were a free upgrade so long as no changes were made. Any changes to your package means you go onto one of the three advertised speeds.

Notes in the account match the contract (apart from Mates Rates is still apparently visible on my account, just not on my contract any more?), not my recollection of the conversation. I would have remembered the price being even less than the figure I agreed to, as I texted my wife immediately after with what I had agreed.