Deals for exisiting customers
 

Out of contract and not happy with recent price rises that have increased by my bill almost 10% in the last few months.

Looking at what Sky can offer and have seen VM are offering their top of the range oomph bundle for £79 for 12 months....but only to NEW customers.

I am interested in what deals people have negotiated in the lead up to Black Friday/Cyber Monday and what would be realistic to aim for.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

Just moved from fun(l) to mix bb still at 100 phone remains the same was paying 60 now down to 42 in my case I can't see anything has changed at least all my favorite channels are still available.So if any have been taken off I really don't care!

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

Our contract ends on the 2nd of January but suffice to say we will be looking for a similar type contract as our current one.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

Also out of contract in January so I will be on the phone armed with deals from rivals!

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

Indeed and then its up to them to trump those deals.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

Well, the 'Ultimate Oomph' deal, or whatever it's called, cost me £99. That includes Sky Cinema and Sky Sports. I dare say that is less than you are paying now if you get those channels - unless you got an amazing deal last time.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

You are right as it is cheaper now then when l agreed my last contract and its even cheaper in the Black Friday sale at £79.

https://www.virginmedia.com/shop/bun...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

Nice to see prices going down as well as up, eh, Den! :D

Good luck with your new deal.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

l will certainly be armed with the full info come the beginning of next year.:D

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

I got my friend, mum & I all the Ultimate Oomph for £99, every year I phone up and get the latest top package for £99ish, sometimes it's easy and it's one phone call like it was for my friend and I, but doing my mothers took at least 5 calls to get through to the right person to do it

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

I'd make that phone call now, if your deal runs out on 2nd Jan then your next bill (assume at some time in December) may be at full price due to being billed in advance.

Worth checking at least

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

l was not sure if you could phone up before the end of your contract in order to get a better 12 month contract then one currently has got.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

A couple of months ago when I was still in contract and paying around £112 a month, I called up and asked what price could they do the Ultimate Oomph package for me. The agent transferred me through to the Oomph team team and they immediately offered me the package for the new customer price of £99 per month.

I encouraged my friend to speak to his wife last week ( they do talk honestly )and get her to either call up or check her online account for offers as they have been out of contract since August and were paying £124 - his wife is in charge of the purse strings - Not sure if she called or upgraded online via her upgrades and offers, but she gave my mate a fiver to buy me a pint as she got the package for £89.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

It's worth phoning up now, Den. Just to see if they will do it. The Black Friday £79 offer won't last for much longer.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

l will OB.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

Ok so I have sorted a new 12 month deal.

Was on VIP bundle (Sky Sports & Cinema HD) with 350Mb BB and talk anytime phone. 3 boxes (2 v6 and an older Tivo box). I was paying £96 pm as recently as July but the bill has steadily gone up to £112 pm this month.

I was armed with Sky's Q experience bundle black friday 50% off sale info and VM's ultimate ooomph £79pm offer.

Spoke to several VM staff and got differing amounts from virtually all of them. Stumbling block seems to be having a 3rd box when negotiating deals.

Best deal I got is keeping my existing package as it is and getting a free swap of a 3rd v6 box to replace the Tivo.

£101 per month. I had hoped for more but have saved £11 pm (£132 per year)
so better than nowt.

Best offer i got for the ooomph package with 3 boxes was £110 pm. Unlimited data sim was tempting and would have saved me a few quid a month on my mobile phone (not currently on Virgin) but decided to keep my mobile phone and tv/bb/landline contracts separate.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

Did you get UK for all of the calls and if so what sort of times did you ring (just that recently some people were indicating retentions had gone overseas).

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

2,o clock Monday afternoon unquestionably the call centre was in Scotland could hear more than one voice all Scottish

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

Thanks, that's good news. Been meaning to have a "chat" for a while. ;)

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

j didnt get much offered when i called up. with the line rental saving going and the recent rises, my bill is upto £72 and thats with some loyalty discounts.

they did add sky sports HD for an extra £18, which i took for the darts and its not a contract extension. so it gives me some time to look at BT fibre and freesat as our contract runs out next month.

i dont want more stuff like sky cinema or a second box or 350, i just dont want to pay more and more and more!

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

I don't know why in this day and age they keep pushing the phone and line rental, I could do without it as we all have mobiles.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

No choice here MM as the data goes from the monitor down to the phone line through to the hospital.

l know what you mean though as the line rental is expensive.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

drives me up the wall. I use neither, but I have no choice but to pay for it.

i recall BT back in the day said there was no demand for ADSL without a phone contract, so didnt feel they needed to offer it.

yeah because it wasnt even an option!

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

You might be grateful for that land line one day if there's an emergency and you've run out of battery/have no signal.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

Because in effect, it's a connectivity fee.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

No use if they've no phone to plug into it.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

Seems silly not to get one if you have a live land line, only a few quid from Argos. Get a corded phone too, wireless are no good if the power goes.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

Guess it's worth pointing out that the Hub based lines don't work if the power goes.

However Virgin Media will provide an backup unit for customers with the Hub based home phone that allows calls to the emergency services if needed.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

Was paying £99 for "free" phone calls, top BB and TV without sports / movies. Seven months ago was offered Movies for free for 6 months. When that expired i cancelled it. Two weeks later offered Sky Sports (not HD), Movies and SIM with 5Gb data a month for an extra £3pm. Now paying £102pm.

I would suggest not opting out of VM's marketing calls......you never know what you may be offered!!

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

My package was m50 broadband upgraded to m100 free and landline talk weekends. Up till today I was paying £39.50 with a £5 loyalty discount. My discount is due to end soon, so I contacted retentions and he said my package is £49.50 and could give it to me for £41.50 for 18 months. But how come? My package is £39.50 without the £5 loyality discount is £44.50. It seems he has increased the price of my current package to £49.50 and then discounted it to £41.50.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

I was on VIP last year. Phone dup to order mobiles for family and offered the ultimate oomph for £99. Took that. Contract was up in August and was offered the same for £105 this time around. I'm happy with it. I had cancelled my £10 SIM anyway last year so I was still £4 up :-)

I checked Sky (with new customer deals in August) + BT and even combining the two so we could have BT Sport also, cheapest I could get was no where near the £105 Virgin were offering so stuck with them.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

I had a deal with Virgin which recently ended. I had the top TVs package, Sky & BT sports - no movies, broadband and phone with call package.

When the deal finished my £94pm suddenly became over £130pm - extortionate.

Anyway, I have returned to Sky - got the same for £95 and got a skyQ 2Tb box foc.

Since cancelling Virgin I have had several calls asking why I left, shame they didn't offer me a deal when my previous one ended - I might of stayed.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

My deal went up to £70+ last year so I called and said I had an offer from Sky for £52 and they matched this for 12 months

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

I don't like doing that - you should not have to beg/lie to get a deal, there should be a price take it or leave it irrelevant whether you are a new customer or have been with them for 20 years,

Too many companies rip-off their long standing customers

I will try virgin again in 18 months to see if they will beat Sky's offer

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

how long does it take to get through to retentions? i used to email or text but i just get ignored now.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

Usually about 1 minute on the 'phone.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

I wasn’t telling a lie, if they hadn’t matched it I was off to Sky

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

I wasn't suggesting you lied (although some do) - just think there should be a price for each package, take it or leave it.

I deplore haggling - I'm sure I have paid extra because of this but also saved by not buying something I considered too expensive.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

Was on an old package called up yesterday and asked for Sky Sports and all my add ons to be retained and came away paying £5 less with everything added. Well happy.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

I got the ultimate oomph package just before Black Friday last year for £75.Will need to ring up soon and negotiate a new deal.Will probably drop down and try and get something close to my previous package.Haven't really used Sky films but have watched a lot of footie lately.I must admit,I don't like ringing up for deals,but if you don't,you end up paying top dollar.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

How time flies!!

Phoned to give them 30 days notice. To remove Sky Sports and Movies the new contract would cost me £112pm :shocked:

Declined that offer so was transferred to retentions. New fixed 18 month contract including sports and Movies at £106pm Just treated that as the annual increase i didn't have to suffer in July! All sorted within 15 minutes :)

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

Read the small print, it probably states that the 'fixed price' doesn't stop them adding the annual increase.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

Yep I have!

Told in the phone call and confirmed in the contract - all good! :)

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

The website now says this for the 18 month contracts

https://www.virginmedia.com/shop

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

Be careful with Virgin Media fixed price contracts. Just agreed new 18 month fixed price contract through Retentions. Reading through Terms and Conditions linked to Contract does not explicitly state no price rises during 18 month minimum period. Spoke with overseas call centre who confirmed that price will remain the same over the minimum period. They put this on my notes but would not state in writing.

Called UK Retentions this morning who told me that I was on 18 month fixed price contract. It would not increase over the next year and Virgin Media were sending out letters to inform customers they would not be increasing prices. But, any future increases will apply to this “fixed price” contract and I could cancel with 30 days notice. I explained the meaning of a fixed price contract but was told that is not how Virgin Media work. It is a fixed price until Virgin Media decide to cancel the contract and introduce a price increase. Oh, they confirmed from notes that overseas call centre had told me there would be no increases for the duration of the contract!

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

My understanding on it is this.

Any price rises will apply to the services you have. That's true. However they wouldn't take effect till the end of the 18 months. So the price you pay is fixed at the contracted rate.

At the end of the 18 months the bundle price will be whatever the services cost at that point, which may be different to what was quoted when you took out the contract.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

That would be fair.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

Thanks for your input. It was your post above that alerted me to fixed price contracts. Terms and conditions referred to in my contract, unlike website, does not state price will not increase during minimum period. Got a reasonable deal. Will be pleasantly surprised if no increase happens. Will make enquiries if it does!

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

Hello everyone

I think there should be a legal requirement that no company can offer a better deal to new customers that is better than the deal for existing customers.

In other words, whatever offer is up for grabs to newbies should also be open to longstanding loyal clientele.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

Lots of us would agree but won't happen. New customers are everything, existing customers to be fleeced unless they threaten to leave. Does happen in lots of places but the tv/broadband sector seems to be worst. (Hello BTW! :) )

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

So everyone gets the same increased price deal.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

I don’t see why. These are only time-limited offers to attract new customers. Are you also opposed to free trial periods for streaming services? Or introductory offers for maintenance contracts? Or special rates for new customers taking out insurance with a new company?

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

I am against loyal customers subsidising fly by night opportunists.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

On the other hand, by attracting new customers, you strengthen the company’s ability to provide better services, as well as profits, for the benefit of existing customers.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

They aren't new customer though. They're just "fly by night opportunists"!

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

I thought I heard them first thing this morning but it turned out to be flocks of migrating geese! :D

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

So a company (eg Barclaycard) that loses money and trades at a loss can provide a better service. Err, I think there is a flaw in that argument.

A company that undercharges customers makes more profit. ??????

Even if by your inverted logic profits were to go up, is the company’s extra income going to find its way into customer's pockets.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

There is no flaw. The offers are time-limited and ultimately, revenue is increased to a level where a profit is made from each customer.

Clearly, weak companies cannot offer the same to customers as strong companies.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

In textbook economics maybe. In practice those better able to leverage debt means that far from 'strong' companies can disrupt markets for significant periods disrupting companies with sustainable business models.

Uber being the latest example. It's unlikely to ever reach the market share for initial investors who have ploughed billions down the toilet to see a return. Meanwhile employment rights and working conditions have been eroded for taxi drivers around the world.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

While companies are able to avoid tax by having large amounts of debt, then that will be the name of the game.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

Well, extracting value (usually in a hyped up IPO) and folding leaving your new investors/creditors carrying the can is the game but that’s neither here nor there.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

Ofcom have advised Virgin Media customers who are unhappy with what VM offer them when their contract expires to leave and go elsewhere (after VM were the only company to refuse to sign up to a new code of conduct regarding pricing).

The best way is to flip flop between them if the one you're with doesn't play ball (and your happy with their product & customer service).

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

Source?

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

No one is forced to stay with their provider once out of contract, so whilst it is annoying that we have to go through the rigmarole of renegotiating a fresh contract or moving to a new provider every so often, it's not that much of a hassle given the rewards.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

My thoughts exactly - just rejoined sky on a good deal after 3.5 years with virgin.

18 months time - who knows?

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

Wish I could be bothered tbh. Do it every year either gas/ electricity. Broadband/tv/phone seems a lot more hassle. Maybe OFCOM could learn from OFGEM in making it easy to switch. If Sky could take over a cable connection and VM a satellite the consumer would win. Bit of a duopoly as it is. Surely the Tories should enable some proper competition ? ;)

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

Ofcom are working on it

https://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/...-december-2022

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

Glad to hear it, but they haven't got a great record of acting quickly.

Re: Deals for exisiting custome
 

Problem is that the distribution networks for gas/electricity are separate from the providers.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

It is a bind having to ring up to try to get a good deal, but when you consider the inconvenience of changing (loss of recordings particularly) is it worth it?

End of the day, I believe you have to change occasionally to keep them honest.

Re: Deals for exisiting customers
 

I was offered the big top ohhhhfff package £111
Landline with full blurb
2 TiVo STB with full sport and movie
SIM with all unlimited
1Gig BB
All for £111

I'm paying £99 and the only difference is 600mb BB

Probably should have taken it. But I'm paying enough at the moment