Help re the card in set top box
 

It the first time ive come accross this site and was wondering if anyone can help me.
My 18 month old has pulled out the virgin media card i think its refered to as smart card(after checking their website im assuming its the same thing correct me if im wrong) i caught him doung it twice so told him off and put it back. Unfortunately after returning home i realised its missing he mystve manahed to pull it out while i was getting ready
i've been going mad trying to find it& i cant so then i called virgin to ask if they can replace it... yes a cost of £50! I dont even pay that much for my package i was in shock so i said you're having a laugh& i said i'll continue looking its now 2 am and ive searched everywhere possible even moved my fridge& cooker washing maching ,sofas everything and cant find it.
I thought maybe up to £20 they might charge. How hi-tech are these smart cards that they cost £50???
Isnt there any way i can replace for cheaper i really need it working asap but i dont want to pay £50! If my son was 18& lost it id make him pay i cant even get him to tell me where he put it he doesn't talk!
I have seen a few on ebay but will they work on my box isit a standard card or is you own card linked to your own box.

Re: Help re the card in set top box
 

Fraid not - all paired to your account.
So it's either find the old one, or buy a new one.

Re: Help re the card in set top box
 

Why don't you just edit your post to the bold as above and cut out all the bull......:rolleyes:

Re: Help re the card in set top box
 

Its very simple really,

A card off ebay will not work so forget that.

You will need to phone VM and ask them to supply a new card and yes you have to pay.

They will then send one to you and pair it to your box.


Simples :tu:

Re: Help re the card in set top box
 

Its 15 for the card and 35 for an engineer visit. I dont agree with it as it should be able to be posted out?

Re: Help re the card in set top box
 

Why don't you just edit your post to the bold as above and cut out all the bull......
????
Why don't you learn some manners?really if it happened to you would you appreciate someone being so rude when your asking genuinely because your not as technically advanced as other people may be?

Re: Help re the card in set top box
 

I remember our card going missing and found it some days later pushed into a flower pot. At least the house was very clean and tidy after we had finished turning it upside down during the Great Card Hunt.

It does seem a tad over the top to charge for an engineers visit when a replacement could safely be sent out by post. After all a card is of no value to anyone until it is paired to a box and then it is only of use to that subscriber.

Re: Help re the card in set top box
 

Re: Help re the card in set top box
 

I suspect it is more of a punative charge than anything else as it is presumably only a two minute job for the engineer.

Re: Help re the card in set top box
 

It's because the card needs to be activated. When all cards were replaced there was a massive project to enable them to be activated remotely, but this doesn't exist for the tiny number of customers who lose their cards.

Re: Help re the card in set top box
 

The engineer visit is probably an anti fraud type measure to stop boxes that shouldn't be reconnected to the VM system getting added. Any time someone does have to attend a customer there will be a cost. Why should VM loose money for something that isn't their fault? And since as stated the package doesn't cost as much as the call out, VM's margins for getting money from your subscription are going to be low, so the engineer visit needs to be self funding?

Re: Help re the card in set top box
 

i think what annoys me the most is that they should realise children get fascinated by it and its likely to get lost
Why cant companies who make so much money including other digital tv providers develop a box that have an opening like the iphone! You can't get sim card out with out the key much simpler... but then again its like they want you loose it so the can make more money off you
to charge so much to call an engineer out is also ridiculous like you have said you were sent new cards in the post when that update happen what makes it so different now.

Re: Help re the card in set top box
 

Have you tried looking at things near the box such as slots in VCR, DVD player etc

Re: Help re the card in set top box
 

We have put the card slot on the rear of all the recent boxes to make it harder for children to take the card. Yes, it could be locked in, but would you be willing to pay iPhone prices for the box?

Nonsense. If that were true we'd go out of our way to make the card easy to lose.

Then there was a full team of people supporting the card swap. Having this in place all the time would cost more than sending techs out to replace cards.

Re: Help re the card in set top box
 

Lets play hunt the card...

I think the dog ate it.

Re: Help re the card in set top box
 

Some boxes now have the card slot in the back (my Tivo and SA V+ do) so there is an awareness that its safer round the back. But the parent must take some blame as the child took it at least three times as it was attracting attention and I expect he thought it was fun!

Re: Help re the card in set top box
 

I gave in an called again only to find its getting posted out! yes posted no technician needed i will definately be complaining about them but cannnot find any email address to complain to will have to do it the old fashioned way of pen and paper
on the bright side the lady took pity on me an only charged me £30 as ive only been with them 2 months! it probably helped that i first asked how much it was to pay of a years line rental! ;)
still cannot believe £50 to post a card out! really how advanced is this card???
does anyone know or is it just a money making scheme / deterrent for fraudsters like those people trying to sell their VM card on ebay that wont work?? I'll be sure to tape it to the box when it arrives to make sure he can't remove it but i've recommended they change the box so that the card can only be removed by a technician i mean really why on earth does the card need to be removable?

really i wish i had a dog who ate it at least id know where it is and i have the newer box where it is at the back im definitely also getting a closed tv cabinet so he cant access anything at all

Re: Help re the card in set top box
 

Bet the card turns up as soon as you slot in the new one. Sods Law always seems to kick in for me. :(

Look on the bright side. You found us and if anything goes wrong with your service in the future you now know a place where the majority of the natives are friendly. :D

Re: Help re the card in set top box
 

:clap:

Re: Help re the card in set top box
 

just wanted to say thanks to everyone for all your input

Re: Help re the card in set top box
 

When the new card arrives, I suggest a strong bit of tape to secure it in place. May not be as nice to look at, but must be better than another £30 replacement.

Re: Help re the card in set top box
 

Stick around its a great forum. :)