Virgin V Sky
 

Hi guys, I'm new to the forum. I am currently with Sky but frustrated by their briliant offers for new customers that they don't extend to existing customers. I'm just wondering what the general opinion is regarding Virgin Media, V+, customer service etc. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

Like Sky, VM will always do deals for new customer - very good deals normally. Many people have posted here when their deals are up and have then contacted VM to see if they can retain them on similar deals.

Like most savvy consumers though, they will vote with their wallets if they believe they can get a better deal with a competitor.

It may be worth leaving the Sky dish attached therefore just in case.

Here's a link to some of the offers VM are currently giving to new subscribers.

http://allyours.virginmedia.com/?bus..._HP_topnav_1_1

Hope that helps, and :welcome: to Cable Forum.

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

VM do the same thing, most offers are new customers only. VM also has CS issues as do most of the big providers but in most other ways they are pretty similar to Sky. Obviously they offer better speeds for BB but TV wise the channel choice is quite close.

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

As posted above VMs services are very similar to SKY, although with v+ the box you can record 2 programmes whilst watching a 3rd and there is also VOD but IMHO and also the view of BBC Watchdog with SKY's customer services you are likely to die waiting to be with with avg waits of up to 1 hour whereas with VM even if you die they will still bill you on the plus side you are more than likely to talk to someone within 10 minutes with VM

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

I know how you feel, as I was with sky previously and it was always 'new' customers who got the good deals!!! I argued this fact and they said there was nothing they could do, which really frustrated me! Anyway...it depends what you want whether you change to Virgin. If you want HD channels then I would stay with Sky as there is a lack of HD channels on Virgin, although this is slowly getting better!! However, if you want BB then Virgin 50mb is excellent - I have had no problems with it!! I have the VIP package + 50mb and I pay around £90 a month (look on the website for more details)!!!

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

Some significant differences from my point of view;

With VM, on demand TV rocks. Sky's offering is pitiful by comparison.

With Sky you own the box, VM retain ownership so have to repair/replace busted boxes. (although the threat to leave can sometimes persuade Sky to waive the approx £70 repair bill)

Sky don't share the red button technology with VM so some of their offerings aren't actually available to VM customers even if you are subscribing to their Sports and Movies package.

EPG: Sky is quicker but VM has a useful mini TV screen so you can still view the TV while surfing the channel choices. (I think some of the latest Sky HD STBs have that facility too.)

VM is less susceptible to weather interference.

Don't know if this is just me but when archiving stuff from Sky+ you had to view it. With VM you can archive from V+ and still view and record from other channels.

HD: Sky still retain exclusivity for their own stuff so better than VM, particulary if movies and football is your thing (although they do charge extra)

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

V+ = Worthless if you get a SA box.
Customer service = useless.

Other than that it's pretty decent for the broadband and if you don't have any problems with your TV and things it's great!

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

Your opinon only most users would disagree,

My V+ is great, found the customer service fine when I have had to call them.

JJ

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

I have a SA V+ and don't have any problems. V+ and On Demand are both a major ... umm ... plus ... in my book.

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

IMHO if you are after HD stick with sky if you dont mind HD come to Virgin. VOD is the way to watch TV now. With the V+ box I only watch sport live now.

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

Your opinion but there has been a lot of posts on here with the same points I have stated above and on virgin s forum so obviously most users would agree with me too

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

Having been with VM since its inception,i was prev a T/w customer,i can honestly say i had no problems with any of thier services at all! my samsung V+ box is a very smart piece of equipment and preforms much better than the sky+ box i have owned. my 10 meg B/B is well up to scratch, delivering an ave of at least 9.5 meg every day without exception.The few calls i have made to c/s have been dealt with promptly and quickly (ie, changeing services etc) so you could say ime a very happy VM customer.

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

I think its very difficult to say who is agree's with you or doesn't, but either way it is not officially representative of the Virgin Media experience.

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

Surely the same can be said with those people who are seeing the positive side to the virgin experience

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

That's why I said "either way".

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

Fair point, my English fails me again :o:

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

The flaw with this is most people are only going to find a forum like this and make a post about their SA V+ boxes if they have a problem with it.

"Most people" are perfectly happy with their SA V+, which is why there aren't anywhere near 600,000 people on the forum posting about how bad they are.

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

No your right, they probably phone vm to tell them how crappy the boxes are and if/when their complaint falls on deaf ears they post about it.

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

The SA V+ box is fine there is nothing wrong with it, i had mine for 3 years before the hard drive went last week which can happen with any hard drive it's not a problem with the box, i do now have the samsung though and i'm very impressed it is much quicker channel changing and it's seems to do HD slightly better imo, also it is quieter than the SA.
but these things don't mean the SA is bad i was happy with mine.
But out of choice i would choose Virgin over Sky any day of the week, due to the fact i would barely get 5mb on there max BB that for me makes a huge differance

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

Too right, as with everything technology improves and generally dpeaking there is nothing wrong with the SA v+ box most failures are the same failures that can affect any "computer" equipment e.g. hard drive failures. the major advantage with VM however is any of these failures will reuslt in free repair/replacemnt even if he equipment is as old as father christmas himself

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

Customer of 10+ years ntl/Virgin. What few problems there have been have been sorted to my satisfaction.

Customer services leave room for improvement but far better than those of some other firms I have had the misfortune to deal with.

My experience with SA V+ is very posiive. Would be good if channels changed more quickly but in terms of reliability and picture quality, first class.

I feel sorry for those who have problems which are not dealt with quickly. That should not be the case. But to make sweeping generalisations about the majority of customers being disatisfied without evidence to back it up is not acceptable.

The long waiting list for V+ in many parts of the country is surely testimony to what people think of it as I suspect that most order it on the recommendation of existing customers.

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

So because there is a long waiting list that makes the v+ good?
Couldn't be because they have started to advertise it as being cheaper now could it?

And as for people saying they will do a free repair/replacement....that is very true and it's a good service when it works.

---------- Post added at 15:52 ---------- Previous post was at 15:51 ----------

Btw before anyone asks I prefer Virgin over Sky but that's only because Sky are much bigger crooks than Virgin.

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

Sorry guys, this is my first time posting....
I have Virgin XL TV package. Just wondering if I had to change to Sky+, would my V-Box (Samsung SMT-2110C) work with a Sky+ service...or would I have to then get a Sky box?
Any help?
Thanks a lot

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

erm no
SMT2110C is DVB-C
You need a sky box which is DVB-S + you'd need a sky viewing card anyway. Go V+ it would only cost you a one off fee for the package you are currently on.

Alternatively if you are a services thief of any sort. Return the box <- Ignore if you are legit

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

Hey MusicBravo,
Thanks a lot for the help...will prob go with V+ then...just sounds easier.
Cheers

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

Having not had that box, I cant comment from a personal point of view, but a Virgin (not Kellys) guy did my install today and said that I was lucky to be having a Samsung box as they're so much better.

Him saying that (said he normally does fault finding but as he was one of the only guys allowed to do 50MB installs, he decided to do my whole install rather than sub the phone and TV to Kellys) does point to the SA box being very slow? If you've never used a Samsung. perhaps you don't realise how slow your existing box is?

As he set it up and tested it, he commented along the lines of "it's so nice to do an install where you actually get a decent response from the V+ box, the SA ones are so slow"

I've just gone from Sky HD to Virgin and my V+ box is slightly quicker than my Sky one was.

Customer service is a lucky dip with any large company. I've had 1st class customer service from NTL in the past (including their overseas BB tech support), I have also had to ask a ntl employee on a rival forum to help solve an issue after 10 fruitless calls to them. Same with BT and the same with Sky.

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

I agree.. in fact it's so worthless I got another just to make sure how worthless it is.

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

Unless there is a hint of sarcasm there. The SA box is not useless in fact it is fine. Mine has been working now for 2 years and aside from having to rset it very rarely it has proved to be very reliable and i m happy in the knowledge that if it breaks, no matter how old it is, it will be repaired/replced for free with either another SA or a Samsung (which are not without their own rare problems)

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

I still have my original TVDrive (aka V+) installed in March 2006 - I wouldn't be without it!

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

Good for you.

I however think the are rubbish and got vm to admit there is a fault with them so much so that I now have my £49 back and an extra £30 as a good will gesture :D

Re: Virgin V Sky
 

Maybe..