Re: TV price rises
 

£2 rise for TV XL, £1.50 rise for BB and then possibly £2 rise for TiVo. VM better up their game as whilst their BB is very good, they don't seem to care too much about TV or phone and whilst the future is online, it'll be many years yet before linear tv is finished. VM may have posted record profits but they may also have record disconnections if they don't add anything significant to the TV packages before April.

Re: TV price rises
 

Apparently the £5 Tivo for existing customers isn't currently the plan ...

From the Community forum:

MrB

Re: TV price rises
 

Good if true, but it does contradict what Neil B this morning. Either he was wrong, spoke out of turn or they've changed their mind during the course of the day. Whatever it would be good if he said something to retract it.

Re: TV price rises
 

Any statements posted by Mark Wilkin are the official business line.

Re: TV price rises
 

Sounds like he made a mistake. It was certainly not the information we had.

Re: TV price rises
 

So my package is tivo,xxl bb (50mb) xl tv. xl phone. My price rise is £3.50? or is it more the larger the broadband?

Re: TV price rises
 

Just got an e-mail mines going up £4.85,
No idea of the breakdown,

XL TV, L Phone, Tivo, XXL BB,

Can feel an angry phone call coming...

Re: TV price rises
 

It's not Virgin Staffs fault though, so I think you'd get further with a calm call ;)

Re: TV price rises
 

Very true as I have worked in customer services and anyone gets treated better with a calm phone call (I was on complaints?)

Re: TV price rises
 

Yeah but paying over £100 a month at least they could breakdown what the increase's are for, don't you think that is fair?

At least then I can make a choice on my bundles,

Why should I have to make the call to get a breakdown very poor on Virgins part,

Never said it was Virgin Staffs fault but nearly £5.00 a month extra is a bit much,

Re: TV price rises
 

I know, I'm just saying there is no point making an "angry" call.

Re: TV price rises
 

Ah, somone else with a price rise close to mine. I was beggining to think it was just me with an over £4 price rise. I got a letter saying it was going up £4.50, we our on the old VIP20 (V+ and VHD, 20mb, HD channels). To me £4.50 seems a pretty hefty price rise when we are already paying over £100pm, so I'll have explore other avenues when I have time.

Re: TV price rises
 

I'm on VIP50 too and not heard a whisper either mate.

Do you have a link to what Neil said?

Re: TV price rises
 

I still haven't had a letter or an email :shrug:

Re: TV price rises
 

me ethier

Re: TV price rises
 

http://seekingalpha.com/article/3525...all-transcript

the bit he made a mistake about/told the truth by accident is:-

You'll have seen that we've increased prices to existing customers by 5% in April. We've also made the move to increase the price of TiVo for all new TiVo subscribers from GBP 3 to GBP 5, which takes place immediately. And in 12 months time, as current TiVo customers roll off their first 12-month contract, they will migrate from GBP 3 to GBP 5.

Seems quite unequivocal to me. Obviously a message for investors rather than customers. Hopefully they've changed their minds but still think it will be their long term aim to get us all on a £5 charge per Tivo. Makes business sense for them. Think it would backfire though.

Re: TV price rises
 

Nor me.

Re: TV price rises
 

Is it only people on VIP50 that are still awaiting a letter?

Re: TV price rises
 

No as l am not on VIP50.

Re: TV price rises
 

Nor me. Perhaps being a Virgin luvvie is paying off :D

Re: TV price rises
 

l rather not be called a luvvie as some people might think l am a yuppie as well.:D

Re: TV price rises
 

'luvvie' - i was just trying to say you're all lovely people, what's wrong with that ?

Re: TV price rises
 

How very nice to say we are lovely Mr K.:)

Re: TV price rises
 

well have to watch it, i've been banned from one forum today ;) (For what god only knows, the confusion today - to put it at its best, was on VM's part....)

Re: TV price rises
 

As long as people have polite well reasoned factual debate and agree to disagree on some things sometimes l am sure you will be fine on here.

Re: TV price rises
 

VM are very sensitive to your "style" of posting Mr K :)

Re: TV price rises
 

so its a blanket 5% increase in prices?

in this economic climate?

absolute nonsense.

Re: TV price rises
 

If TV XL is £24.50 a month now and is going up to £26.50 i make that around about an 8% increase on TV XL.;)

Re: TV price rises
 

Now I am even more confused!

Just called Virgin Media customer Service and got through to a very polite Indian sounding lady who told me...

XL TV - No price rise !!!
Eve and W/end Phone package - 60p rise
10mb BB - £2 rise

(all from 1st april)

She then said she'd email me all the details, but just sent me an email about how to make payments'!

The prices she told me doesn't match up with what I've read on here and other forums :erm: :confused: :confused: :confused:

Re: TV price rises
 

she obv doesnt know what she is on about then i reckon

---------- Post added at 11:20 ---------- Previous post was at 10:20 ----------

just had the email to say mine is going up by £5.25 a month and says dont worry your still on our mates rates so still getting a excelent deal. Wont be long till price goes up enough and the mates rates gets cancelled out

Re: TV price rises
 

Mates Rates is still very good value though, as a customer you'll not get anything like that anywhere else.

Re: TV price rises
 

i know and i agree DF its just its money i really good use (the increase) but its still vaule for money

Re: TV price rises
 

I have'nt had an email or a letter yet? Anyone else?

Re: TV price rises
 

Not yet but seem to be around last for anything from Virgin:dozey:

Re: TV price rises
 

From what £ to what £ please? £5.25 seems a hefty price rise compared to other reported rises, what services is that covering? Have you been on Mates Rates for long? I understood Mates Rates was based on 50% but seems to have crept up quite markedly since then - shouldn't there be a discount on the price rise? So much for agreeing a price for the contract :(.

I appreciate that it is still a good discount, but as you end up including various items that you may not necessarily want (Mobile and International add on springs to mind and larger than you may need internet) the benefit is soon wearing off.

MrB

Re: TV price rises
 

Mates rates is good because Virgin rinse the standard price customers for all they can. There must be a slight tax in the standard pricing of services to take into account "mates rates"

---------- Post added at 13:23 ---------- Previous post was at 13:20 ----------

Mates rates is good because Virgin rinse the standard price customers for all they can. There must be a slight tax in the standard pricing of services to take into account "mates rates".

Most the users on here that rave about the service are actually on mates rates an would not pay full price for there services.

---------- Post added at 13:24 ---------- Previous post was at 13:23 ----------

Mates rates is good because Virgin rinse the standard price customers for all they can. There must be a slight tax in the standard pricing of services to take into account "mates rates".

Most the users on here that rave about the service are actually on mates rates an would not pay full price for there services.

---------- Post added at 13:25 ---------- Previous post was at 13:24 ----------

Mates rates is good because Virgin rinse the standard price customers for all they can. There must be a slight tax in the standard pricing of services to take into account "mates rates".

Most the users on here that rave about the service are actually on mates rates an would not pay full price for there services.

Re: TV price rises
 

What's with all the posting 4 times??

It's a perk for staff to give to friends and family, but you post your usual tripe

Re: TV price rises
 

But surely mates rates is only the same as staff discount for people who work in shops etc.

I mean working for Virgin, has got to have some perks :devsmoke:

By the way I pay full rates - "Billy no mates" me, having never worked for Virgin...........................
:)

Re: TV price rises
 

A staff member can refer their friends or family to get the deal.

Re: TV price rises
 

Strong words. You have proof, I take it?

No?

Re: TV price rises
 

Been on for a few years now. mates rates always get a rise same as wveryone else. doesnt say on email what each rise is which

my usaul tripe, like what?

Re: TV price rises
 

Nothing yet.

Re: TV price rises
 

Just got my letter saying my rise is £5.45 per month.

I take it this means VIP 50 is going up to £108.96 - looks like a phone call will be happening to reduce my package as i feel this is way too much now.

Re: TV price rises
 

A lot of people will be calling VM to reduce their packages!

Re: TV price rises
 

Even some of Virgins staff are confused about just what the increases are (this is not a dig at any virgin staff but the billing system which the member of staff said confuses them to). I was just told my increase is £11 a month but the other day was told it was £3.50 just seems to be total confusion.
I have worked in a front line Call centre and I really do not envy Virgins call centre staff at the moment and have total respect for them.

I phoned today to get a breakdown of each cost that is when I was told the increase is £11

Re: TV price rises
 

But not you I suspect Alan,seeing as in your world you have 100 meg broadband,3 x TiVo's etc etc etc,If I were you I would stay off the orange smarties!!;)

Re: TV price rises
 

It will cost me quite a bit more, but I have no plans in reducing my service for VM, for now...

Re: TV price rises
 

Maybe not you but what about Mummy and Daddy.

Re: TV price rises
 

They are not customers of VM, they are with BT!

Re: TV price rises
 

I wan't replying to you mate :D

Re: TV price rises
 

Must admit I think virgin have made a mistake by increasing their prices. Personally I`m thinking of getting rid of most of my subscribed tv when my 12 month contract is up with sky and switching to freeview or one of the other companies that offer sky sports 1 and 2. I might be tempted back to virgin if they start offering more hd channels such as ITV2,3 and 4.

Re: TV price rises
 

Hopefully VM have plans to use some of the increased sub to get more HD such as the ITV 2,3,4 HD variants.

Re: TV price rises
 

oh ok, my bad sorry :)

Re: TV price rises
 

Lets hope so Richard as l don't think there is any excuses for Virgin not to carry these channels.:)

Re: TV price rises
 

I've just received confirmation of my price hike, £5.25 per month ......ouch!

Re: TV price rises
 

That a high price rise to say the least Chad.:td::(

Re: TV price rises
 

Did you receive an email with this info Chad?

Re: TV price rises
 

It's a letter that's just dated February 2012. I've got VIP50 with TiVo, my brother has VIP50 without TiVo and we're both getting a hike of £5.25.

"Unfortunately, from 1st April 2012, we're having to change some of our prices to make sure we continue to give you the best home entertainment and services"

"The cost of your bundle charges will increase by £5.25 a month".

"Our evening period for home phone calls will change from 6pm - 6am to 7pm - 7am. We're also making some changes to home phone calling rates and call connect fees. The cost of these changes will vary depending on the call plan you're on. To find out more go to virginmedia.com/changes

No actual breakdown of where £5.25 comes from is included. My guess is all VIP50 customers will be getting a similar prices increase.

I added BoxNation to my package, at £10.00 per month, just 2 months ago. Now my package has jumped up £5.25 per month also. Between Virgin and I we've pushed up the cost of my package by £183.00 per year! It's time to make a few changes to my package.

I'm not spitting venom or anything but this, in my mind, is the highest price hike I've ever had with Virgin. I really hope they start delivering new TV content and linear channels that are equitable to the TV part of the price hike. I'm now firmly with Alan Fry, Virgin SHOULD deliver us with all the missing HD channels and SD channels such as CBS Drama and Al Jazeera within the next 12 months. That way they really would be showing their commitment to delivering "the best home entertainment ".

---------- Post added at 10:44 ---------- Previous post was at 10:39 ----------

On a separate matter when the price of SKY Sports dropped about 2 years ago, I seem to remember VIP customers didn't actually see any reduction in price. At the very least their price reduction was much less than customers taking the channels on M+ and L. With VIP50 going up by £5.25 per month, it just seems to me that VIP20, VIP30 and VIP50 customers seems to get shafted the most.

Deep breath now. Ahhhhh...... rant over :)

Re: TV price rises
 

And l say l to that.:tu:

Re: TV price rises
 

HI, NEW MEMBER GO EASY

PRICE RISES :mad:

GOT AN E MAIL - £3.50 INCREASE. OUCH. MISTAKE IN THIS CLIMATE

I HAVE

30MB BROADBAND
XL TV PACKAGE
TALK UNLIMITED
LINE RENTAL
TIVO BOX
HD+ BOX COST £56 NOW IS THIS A GOOD PACKAGE ??

Re: TV price rises
 

Our letter arrived yesterday - £3.50 rise on the normal £41 monthly bill (8.5% not 5% as stated!). On mates rates £38.01 plus Tivo £3. Could be worse but I still think that when you contract at a set price for a minimum period, then the price should be what you agreed to.

For Mates Rates, do you have to keep the Talk Mobile and International add ons as we have no need for them at all and that would then balance?

Many thanks

MrB

Re: TV price rises
 

Hi William, join the fun!

---------- Post added at 10:55 ---------- Previous post was at 10:51 ----------

Totally agree. What's the point of having an agreement or contract if Virgin can change the terms whenever. Whilst you do get the right to walk away from your contract if changes are made, why isn't it a 2 way street? If I'm in a 18 month contract with Virgin, but have a change of financial circumstances and can no longer afford to pay the contract, I can't just say to Virgin I want to change the terms and if you're not happy you can walk away free of charge. What happens is Virgin will levy charges / costs against you for breaking the terms of the contract early. It's not often Virgin will allow someone to leave mid-contract without penalising them in someway.

I'd like to see the introduction of 90 day contracts across the whole of pay TV. That way providers would have to work bloody hard to keep their customers. It'll never happen as it works in favour of the consumer.

Re: TV price rises
 

Just out of interest Chad what will the charge of VIP50 become ?

Re: TV price rises
 

Agreed, but look what Orange Mobile have just done,they increased prices just below the RPI and pointed us all to their terms and conditions (which read that prices could go up but only if less than the RPI),whichever way we look at it these companies have got us over a barrel,look on the bright side though at least with VM anyone who contests the price rise can leave FOC.

---------- Post added at 11:01 ---------- Previous post was at 10:59 ----------

Damn,your quick with your replies Chad!:D

Re: TV price rises
 

Well as far as I can tell it's either £105.71 or £106.71 per month. Whilst it's not the case, it almost feels like I am actually being charged for my free broadband speed increase which goes through next month in my area. Going forward, £105.71 or £106.71 will be the price for VIP100.

Re: TV price rises
 

Be grateful you're getting it next month :(

Re: TV price rises
 

No there is (allegedly) absolutely 100% no link between the price rises and the "free" broadband speed increase ... :erm:. It's a coincidence ..

It is not as if prices went up immediately after the last time they announced a "free" speed increase ... :rolleyes:

If there isn't a link, someone needs to pull together marketing, strategy etc and put them on a communications course (oh, and proof read the CEO script before big price increase announcements to make sure everyone has the same story ;)). For a communications company, they really do need to get a grip.

MrB

Re: TV price rises
 

Where is this £2.00 figure from? I received a letter from VM stating our monthly bill is to increase by £3.50.

I am on TV and Broadband XL (although 20Mbps not 30MBps) and pay by direct debit and don't have paper bills.

Seems like a poor deal for me :(

Re: TV price rises
 

Just of the phone to VM to get get V+ changed to 500Gb TiVo ,have to pay the £49 install charge.While on the lad explains that my bill will go up to £106.71 in April for my VIP50, so I mentioned my contract ended then and was there anything he could offer.He is moving V+ to another room ,no multi-room fee,no TiVo fee, bill will still be £106.71 in April a result I think.

Re: TV price rises
 

I think Virgin would get less push back from their customers if they broke down, in crystal clear terms, exactly what the price increase if for. My letter just tells me my package is going up by £5.25 per month. Why should I have to call them, or hunt through the internet to get clarification as to what this figure is for?

Totally amateur as per usual from Virgin. They never seem to get any kind of communication correct at all.

Re: TV price rises
 

People have said this for years on here, they are shocking.:rolleyes:

Re: TV price rises
 

Yes communication has never been their strong suit.

Re: TV price rises
 

Still waiting for them to send me a letter advising what my new bill is going to be :sniper:

Re: TV price rises
 

Same here i suspect it will come soon i think mine will be £3.50 based on £2 on TVXL and £1.50 om the broadband L,as per the info on here.

Re: TV price rises
 

Yes l have had nothing so far either.:(

Re: TV price rises
 

Same here (I think it should be £3 for me).

I was going to dump the phone line but due to the triple-play bundle discount I receive (the one I can't work out because of the new layout of the bills), I would only save £2 per month instead of around the £7 I was expecting.

So I've dumped the International Call plan, that should save me around £2 per month. For calls to my family in the States I'll be using Skype from now on, works out a lot cheaper compared to VM's landline even with the International Call plan.

Re: TV price rises
 

Though VM admit that investing £150 million upgrading BB speeds will underpin the 2012 price rise, so there is a cynical link if nothing else.

Cheers

Grim

Re: TV price rises
 

I'm going to move off the VIP50 now since I received my revised pricing letter. OK, it's only £5.XX but where does it end? If everyone who I take service from upped them by £5 it would soon mount up.

Is VIP20/30? still available? I can live with 30Mb until they get round to doubling it. (Shame about losing the HD Sports and movies though :-( )

Re: TV price rises
 

@ spanky try this, for new customers but would imagine you can get it through retentions :- http://shop.virginmedia.com/bundles/...tvxl-bbxl.html

Re: TV price rises
 

I just called Virgin to discuss the new prices and to change my overall package. I must admit I'm a very happy boy indeed.

Under the latest price changes my package would be £106.71 plus £10.00 for BoxNation and roughly another £20.00 for calls made from my home land line. So I'd be looking at paying between £130.00 to £140.00 per month.

Called Virgin and cancelled my home landline and have taken a 18 month contract on a Blackberry mobile instead. Dropped my broadband from 50mb to 10mb, which will in turn go up to 30mb in the next 4 weeks when my area has it's speed increase. Cancelled SKY Movies and SKY HD. My new package price for TV and mobile is £95.00 per month. A saving of up to £45.00 if I don't go over the minutes on my new mobile.

So I still have phone access, still have great broadband speed but lost SKY movies:( I have however just used £29.98 of the £45.00 I'll be saving to get my wife and I annual tickets for Cineworld which is about 4 miles away. The other £15.00 I've saved can be used to by popcorn and hotdogs:)

I'm actually delighted. I love movies but haven't been able to get to the cinema as much as I used to. With my annual ticket I can see all the latest movies. It also means the wife and I can have a few more nights out than we have been enjoying over the past 12 months.

Virgin Media price hike has turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I would wholeheartedly encourage people to reassess their packages, and have a long hard think about what you really need. It's only been in the last 2 weeks I've thought about how much time I actually spend watching SKY Movies, or SKY HD channels and it turns out not a lot really. Not enough to justify the £7.00 HD charge and movie subscription cost.

I've also got a sense of satisfaction I've not accepted the price hike, reduced the level income Virgin receive from me and saved myself over £500.00 per year.

Re: TV price rises
 

You've done the right thing, Chad. You've looked at what you need and made the changes.

Re: TV price rises
 

Best of luck for the future DF - hope you find something worthwhile soon

Re: TV price rises
 

Cheers mate :)

Re: TV price rises
 

Yeah good luck for the future df and thanks for the times your posts have assisted me on here

Re: TV price rises
 

Is 10mb definitely going to 30mb not 20mb then? I'm more than happy with my 30mb, might drop it down to 10mb if thats the case as my doubling is schedule for March.

Also, there is some really odd bundle discounts going on in the bundle builder - if I plug in my current package (30mb BB, XL TV & L Phone), its £66. Drop the phone line all together, its £64.50. Start again from scratch and drop from 30mb to 10mb, its £61. THEN drop the phone, its now £51. Eh? :D

I'd like to think if I dropped the packages in the right order I could get that, its not a bad price really.

Re: TV price rises
 

And l will second that.:tu:

Re: TV price rises
 

Are they still charging the £49.95 for Tivo activation for long time existing HD Box customers, and yet new customers get it free?

Re: TV price rises
 

No ten meg is going to 20 not 30

---------- Post added at 17:24 ---------- Previous post was at 17:24 ----------

Yes, new customers get a free install

Re: TV price rises
 

Oh well 20 meg is still plenty for what I use the internet for.

Re: TV price rises
 

I have as an existing customer fairly recently upgraded to TiVo and got free installation and activation.:)

Re: TV price rises
 

I am certainly cosidering dropping services to cut costs. Can anyone tell I have xl tv with hd sports 20m broadband and xl landline, would I be able to drop landline completely as never use it to warrant it and also have virgin mobile contract. Also drop movies and keep sky sports hopefully this would reduce my costs.

Re: TV price rises
 

Cheers :)

---------- Post added at 19:15 ---------- Previous post was at 19:14 ----------

Cheers Den :)

Re: TV price rises
 

Thanks but I have never gone the retentions route as I don't really agree with it. I feel you shouldn't have to ask for a reduction, you should get one for being loyal.

Re: TV price rises
 

As long as you are not in an existing contract you should have no problems. What your thinking about doing sounds exactly like what I done earlier today. The land-line was a real biggie. Whilst taking a land-line does reduce the overall cost of your package, It's a bit of a rip off if you step back and look at it. Your paying £13.90 line rental, before you've even made a call. I was spending on average £20.00 per month on phone calls so in reality my home phone was costing me between £30 and £35 each and every month. I cancelled my land-line today and took a contract out with Virgin for a Blackberry mobile with 200 minutes each month plus 3000 minutes to other Virgin mobiles. My wife, brother, mother and father-in-law all have Virgin mobiles so it makes sense.

There certainly is value in double checking your package and accessing whether you really need what you're paying for. I dropped SKY Movies too today as since Christmas I think I've only watched about 6 or 7 films. After cancelling SKY Movies SKY HD at £7.00 per month was no longer value. I wasn't prepared to pay £7.00 for SKY Sports 1 & 2 in HD.

I'm surprised at how many people will pay for services they don't use. How many people have XL TV but the core channels they watch time and time again are equatable to the M+ or L package? My Mum has TV XL but doesn't give a flying fig about HD, ESPN, FX etc... My Mum should really just have M+ in terms of the programmes she likes. Essentially people are paying for channels they don't watch or don't need. It's the same as broadband too. It'll also be amazing how many people will have 50mb or 100mb broadband but don't even need the bandwidth or only use the internet at home for a couple of hours a day. 10mb or 30mb would probably be enough for most households to get bye on.

Re: TV price rises
 

good luck DF mate

Re: TV price rises
 

Cheers Dave :)

Re: TV price rises
 

And another best wishes from me to DF. I hope something comes along soon. Thanks for your fair minded and very knowledgeable posts on here.

Re: TV price rises
 

Good post chad virgin twist your arm to take telephone line
I'm happy with 10 meg why do i want 100Meg for I only brows Internet email

Re: TV price rises
 

Same goes from me df,Hopefully a job will turn up pretty quick for you

Re: TV price rises
 

Cheers guys :)