Avoiding installation fee for a new customer
 

Hi all, I've moved in to a rented property for my second year at uni and am looking at broadband offers. VM's offer of 50m no landline for £26.50 here seems like the best option for me and my housemates.

Only speedbump we've hit is the installation fee; there's already a virgin media installation here which was working until the modem was returned, so would an installation need to be performed at all?

Has anyone in the past had success haggling down this particular fee?

Cheers.

Re: Avoiding installation fee for a new customer
 

You'd need to call the sales team to see what options you have. I'm not sure if VM would budge on it due to the fact that it's 9 month term.

Re: Avoiding installation fee for a new customer
 

I would ring up and ask for a modem to be posted out to you, that is what they would do if you was an existing customer and upgrading. I know the installation fee sucks but considering how much you are all going to be online all the time doing one thing or another, I personally think it is worth it to make sure everything is up and running properly from the get go and you can get max speed.

Re: Avoiding installation fee for a new customer
 

If a friend recommends you its a free manned install.

Re: Avoiding installation fee for a new customer
 

VM will try to make as much out of you as they can. To save themselves more cost, I reckon you're likely to receive a Superhub 1 (it'll say VMDG 480 on the bottom).

Nothing wrong with it as a modem, but wireless will most likely perform badly unless you are very clever about where you position the device.

The current model is the Superhub 2 which has much better wireless reach. The SH1 is somewhat cheaper than the SH2 and they're only going to get 9 months out of you.

Re: Avoiding installation fee for a new customer
 

Came up against the same problem this week. Rang VM to get a broadband only deal for a student. The area is cabled and was used by the previous occupier. The VM sales team did a check whilst I was on the phone and said all was fine, the fee wouldn't be £49.95 it would be £20 because the superhub would be posted out. I asked about the £20 as we would be doing the 'technical installation' bit i.e. plugging it into the wall. The sales rep said the installation fee would be waived.

The student rang up later to accept after checking with a flatmate and was told the waiver was off.

It seems younger people get treated differently by VM.

As a long time VM customer myself can I nominate the student as a friend and get a free installation for them?

Re: Avoiding installation fee for a new customer
 

I would, as far as VM are concerned it is a new customer they wouldnt have if it wasnt for your recomnendation

Re: Avoiding installation fee for a new customer
 

Well, tried them today but the recommend a friend does not apply to the Broadband only '9 month special deal' for students.

Looks as if it isn't only Shylock that demands a pound of flesh. Come on VM, sort this out.

Re: Avoiding installation fee for a new customer
 

Hardly surprising. Almost all companies charge increased setup/install fees for shorter contracts and only waive them for longer contracts. Has nothing to do with being younger or being a student. A 50 year-old non-student going for the 9-month deal would get exactly the same treatment, as would a 20 year old student going for an 18-month contract.

Re: Avoiding installation fee for a new customer
 

'Almost' all but not ''all' then; so asking VM to review their position is not perhaps a lost cause especially if it means new custom.

Exactly how many times will VM charge for 'installation' in (permanent) student properties that have had installation at least once before? Nice little earner eh?

Re: Avoiding installation fee for a new customer
 

There are no other suppliers offering 9month contracts, Obviously virgin will make the most of it. Many students pay £20 for a quickstart which I think is fair

Re: Avoiding installation fee for a new customer
 

Actual BT does now (although for a while it was only VM that did)

http://www.productsandservices.bt.co...fer/index.html

They also charge a setup fee, and it looks like it costs more for a similar broadband service.

Re: Avoiding installation fee for a new customer
 

You think it's fair for students to pay £20 for plugging a box into a wall?

Never mind what BT are doing Ben, we're discussing VM. So, you support the tactic of charging students for installation even though a property has probably been 'installed' several times over already? Tens of thousands of students might be waiting for your answer :)

Re: Avoiding installation fee for a new customer
 

When other people are being charged £60 to £75 for the same box? Yes. Completely fair.

Re: Avoiding installation fee for a new customer
 

There is a cost to virgin for setting up an account and providing a box, yes I think £20 is fair