Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

I have had 2 phone calls lately for VM customer service asking me to renew my contract.(runs out in 2 weeks) I currently have the VIP package with everything plus 2 additional boxes.
The carrot they dangled me was £3 off my line rental for 3 months.
(yes I had a good laugh too)
I asked why they have never called me in previous years.
His answer was "it's something new they were doing".
Forgive me for being sceptical but I am thinking this is a rather cheap ploy to stop people from jumping ship if they don't get BT sports.
My viewing habits are mainly around Football so until they confirm they are getting BT sport I will not be renewing.
I will then look into which way is going to be the cheapest to view all the football.
I politely told him where to go. He was a nice chap though.:cool:

Cheers
Ash

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

My contract expired ohhh, 17 months ago. No one's ever phoned me up.

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

My contract expired a year ago, no phone call either.

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

I recently had a phone call as well but thought it was suspect so ditched it - I have been out of contract for over a year. Never been phoned about this before in the 20+ years I have been with Cable Camden/Cable London/TeleWest/VirginMedia...

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

We left VIP for Sky and BT BB & Phone. It's working out cheaper to the tune of £580 over the course of the year due to offers.

Even at full price it's £213 cheaper.

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

Cannot see this BT sport thing being such a winner. With the notable exception of club rugby union and a few other bits the only selling point is the presenters. Which isn't a selling point at all for me.

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

For me it is the 38 Premier League matches and up to 176 UEFA Europa League matches to name but two.

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

I got one of those calls about two months ago as my contract expired in May. I'm currently on a loyalty deal with a monthly discount and was told that as this was running out soon, they could sign me up for another 12 months at the standard price. I pointed out that my loyalty deal didn't expire until May 2014 so how would signing up for 12 months at standard price be of benefit? They soon said thanks for your time and went! :)

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

I tend not to believe cold calls anyway - and this is what it is.

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

I'm 3 years out of date and refuse to get Tivo and upgrade until I know what is happening with BT Sports as a VIP customer we are losing ESPN soon and it's not being replaced with anything as it stands and no reduction in price, I for one will be leaving if they don't start catching up wth the competition as they are starting to severely lag behind in certain areas of the TV package shame as for me the the BB is spot on and so much better than the rubbish BT offers in my area (max speed WITH so called BT fibre in my area at a staggering 2.4MB :rofl::rofl:)

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

I understand what people think about losing ESPN but we have had a shedload of new channels lately and we had ESPN included due to a deal that BT evidently do not want to replicate. I look on having had ESPN included as a bonus which is a shame to lose but it is not VM's fault.

I simply do not agree VM are lagging if anything this has been their best year for improved service in yonks with the extra channels and the faster broadband.

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

what new channels have we had recently then? we've had a few renamed but I don't remember any new ones :confused:

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

I must disagree about the TV package lagging severely. VM have all the "important" channels they can get, albeit some only in SD. The HD varients VM don't have (with the possible exception of Universal) all have connections with News Corp. and most likely exclusivity deals, due to Sky helping set them up. The missing sports will never come, unless Sky are forced and Atlantic probably will come one day in the future. I cannot think of much else VM is missing.
IF you decide VM are not for you in the future after the BT sports deal is concluded, and you join BT, I fear you will then find a company that is severely lagging behind VM, let alone Sky.

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

I agree. There is something very worrying about BT and their set-up to me.

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

I had a renewal a couple of weeks ago, purely to activate my spotify account. I have saved only £3 a month or so, but the nice lady on the phone said they would not offer me half price because I would up paying more than I currently was when the half price deal was up as VM recoup the costs in the remainder of the contract:erm:!!!!

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

From Mediaboys blog changelog

February 12th:
Quest +1 has launch on Virgin Channel 173.
I.D. has launch on Virgin Channel 214.
British Eurosport 2 HD has launch on Virgin Channel 526.

March 6th:
Style has launch on Virgin Channel 285.

March 14th:
ITV2 HD has launch on Virgin Channel 176.
ITV3 HD has launch on Virgin Channel 177.
ITV4 HD has launch on Virgin Channel 178.

March 26th:
BBC HD has been rebranded as BBC Two HD on Virgin Channel 187.

April 2nd:
Vintage TV has launch on Virgin Channel 243.

April 4th:
France 24 (English) has launch on Virgin Channel 624.
France 24 (French) has launch on Virgin Channel 832.

April 16th:
Create & Craft has launch on Virgin Channel 748.

April 30th:
TLC has launch on Virgin Channel 167.
TLC HD has launch on Virgin Channel 168.
TLC +1 has launch on Virgin Channel 169.
ID +1 has launch on Virgin Channel 215.

May 1st:
NHK world HD has launch on Virgin Channel 625.
Zee Café has launch on Virgin Channel 811.
Zing has re-launch on Virgin Channel 813.

May 2nd:
Animal Planet HD has launch on Virgin Channel 217.

May 28th:
HISTORY +1 has launch on Virgin Channel 235.

http://mediaboyblog.blogspot.co.uk/p...2012-last.html

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

Plus there are strong rumours that the folowing channels are starting this week:
Comedy Central Extra +1
MTV CLASSIC
MTV LIVE
MTV +1
Nick Jr. +1
Food Network (Virgin Channel 287)
Travel Channel (Virgin Channel 288)

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

but most of those are not new channels you've been brainwashed into thinking they are :angel:
only about 3 channels above are "new" the rest are either rehashed re-brands or they are just HD versions of a channel you already have so it's hardly new

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

Nothing wrong with having more HD versions or even +1 channels to help with recording conflicts :)

What 'new' channels would you like to see added?

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

For a start,
Sky Atlantic, Sky Atlantic HD, BT Sports (inc getting back ESPN Which we are losing), Fox Sports ,Investigation Discovery, Discovery Fit & Health, The Hub. MGM TV, MoviePlex, Showtime, MOJO HD, Automotive Television Network.
Along with
Dubai TV
Sama Dubai
Dubai One
Dubai Sports
Dubai Racing
Noor Dubai TV
As I work over there for 6 months a year, so would like to keep up to date with goings on

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

Your list seems rather unfair, seeings as most of the channels are (seemingly) not available over here (other than the first three.) We have Investigation Discovery on ch. 214.
Not even Sky have the majority of channels on your list - perhaps you can list the provider(s) who have these channels and who are leaving VM and Sky lagging - I for one will be very keen to know one such broadcaster.
The only channels on your list we can possibly get (the first three) will come in time.:)

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

for a start sky wont let anyone have them channels at all so what VM suppost to do please do tell

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

Agreed that list is not in any way VM's fault.

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

I had an email yesterday with the subject

Great, i thought, here comes an offer.
Nope they just suggested i pay about £35 a month more and get the VIP package, never subscribed to sports or movies before so what makes them think i would now!

I was hoping they'd offer me a Tivo with free installation and activation, guess i'll wait for ever then 'cos i ain't paying for it now i have a smart TV.

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

Who said anything about it being fair?
I was just asked what channels I would like to see (a wish list) not what was actually possible, I'm not that stupid to not realise that some or most of them would be nigh on impossible.

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

Zee Café is brilliant. Get on it...

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

If you want channels that are not available, how is it fair to say VM are severely lagging behind other networks?

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

Just received an E-mail from Virgin telling me that they think the VIP package is ideal for me. I've been on VIP for well over two years!

Come on Virgin. Keep up!!

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

Not efficient I know, but would rather receive inaccurate emails and equipment that works than the other way around!

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

......but have you kept up?

.....or is the latest VIP Collection better value than your 'old' VIP bundle?

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

I have been on VIP since I joined Virgin 5 years ago however and this is Virgins biggest failing I find......they change the package but don't change your package.
So it now comes with a Tivo if I had not called up you would not have a Tivo.
You now get a better phone package as you get all calls included including mobiles again if I had not called up to get that changed they would not have changed it.

If I have signed up for a VIP bundle and Virgin want to change that bundle that change it for all on it not the ones that realise it's changed and call up or the ones that join after.

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

HD and +1's are not new channels and the new channels that have come have been (in my eyes) 3rd rate.
I think VM have fallen way behind in the tv side of things I remember when virgin had the best catch-up and on demand of any other company but last I looked sky with their on-demand and catch-up blow virgin out of sight
im sure the VM fans will defend them but for me as a viewer VM are failing.

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

I am personally very happy (as are many on here) with VM's selection of TV channels. Yes, I would like Sky Atlantic SD & HD and Universal HD but other that that they have every channel I watch. Other people (like yourself) probably have some other channels they would like to see on VM.

But at the end of the day, it's good for consumers to have competition and choice of providers. If you don't like VM's selection of channels then it is open to you to switch to Sky, BT, Freesat, etc.

It would be boring if every service was identical!

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

I don't agree, if all the content was available from all the providers then maybe we could actually start to see competition on prices.

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

Or actually no reason for any of them to be competitive on price.

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

:clap::clap: Exactly but for BB I will stay with Virgin for all services for at least another 12 months and for the fact they have just given me a really cheap deal it's not worth me moving, Just hope they get BT Sports now:confused: have the people sorting out this deal all gone on holiday :shocked:

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

Fox > Sky Atlantic

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

Following on from my call from VM above I have now just had a visit from a SKY rep. (used to be with sky for years - must be targeting ex customers ).
He give me the usual patter about me being an ex valued customer and would I be interested in coming back to SKY.

The offer was Half price for 6 months (everything half price)
Included
3 boxes HD +
The complete bundle TV (everything)
Sky fibre Unlimited. (40 meg) estimate (currently on 60 meg with vm)
Sky talk anytime.
The price after six months is pretty much on par with what I am paying now.
(only a couple of pound difference)
BT sports would be £10 extra though

I would have to pay £199 for one of the extra boxes. (the 3rd box i would use the one I have from when I was previously with sky)

Basically my 6 months half price savings are £360
less £199 for extra box + £120 for BT sport for the year
So I am looking at £40 savings and I will be able to watch BT sports / sky sports(all hd) and all the football which is my main goal.

I was waiting for the hards sell like if you sign up today you get this offer but he's coming back on Friday to see me again once I've looked the offer over.

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

I had a call from VM last week saying that my contract finishes in a few weeks and did I want to sign up again, Nice chap and I told him that I wanted to see what happens with the BT sport, so they are ringing back in a week or two.
On saturday I worked out that having Sky Sports for 30 days will not cost me much more than going to the pub to watch the 3 Lions tests so I pressed inumerable buttons and Voila, I had Sky Sports within 2 minutes without speaking to anyone.
Of course I will probably keep it longer with the Ashes coming up. :-)

Next winter I am more interested in watching the Aviva premiership rugby more than the footy, so I will need to sort something out.

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

Seems a bit **** to me especially once you go up to full price

Re: Customer service phoned me ref: Contract renewal
 

Why.
For 12 months I will be getting all the channels (including BT sports) and other non VM channels (sky Atlantic)for less than I am paying now over 12 months.
Slight reduction in BB speed but i can live with that.

After 12 months I can see whats on offer again.

Whats **** about that