Originally Posted by RichardCoulter (Post 35976060)

It's not unusual for VM to agree one thing (often a price) and then renege on it.

When the customer calls to find out what's happening they are treated to such soundbites as "There's nothing on the notes", "You would never have been told that", "There's no evidence to support what you are saying" etc. In other words, any confusion is because the customer has got it wrong or they are all but called a liar.

One way to deal with this is to ask them to obtain a recording of the phone call (though, conveniently, these are often 'unavailable'). Another way is to insist that the member of staff who logged into your account is traced on the relevant date. You will usually be asked who you spoke to, but staff often refuse to give their names or will only give out their first name, then when you complain they will try to fob you off with "without a name we can't help you" or "without a surname we can't help you, do you realise how many members of staff with that first name work here?"

The excuses range from abrupt statements such as "I don't have to give you my name" (said in the tone of a petulant child), to some nonsense about the Data Protection Act (when pushed it becomes clear that they have no idea what they are talking about). On one occasion it was even said that they were afraid that customers might look for them on social media!!

Long term customers don't appear to be exempt from this treatment, in fact i'd go so far as saying that this means nothing to them whatsoever.

I ended up speaking to senior management after the dreadful way that I was treated/spoken to. They were very apologetic and persuaded me to stay after various financial incentives were offered along with free Sky Cinema, however, this keeps happening. Frontline staff don't seem capable/willing to resolve (often very basic) issues and are then perfectly happy to take notice to leave from customers of long standing with utter indifference.

Again, I wish you luck!

Originally Posted by Mythica (Post 35976108)

Another way to deal with it is just leave. Vote with your feet.

Originally Posted by Hugh (Post 35976151)

Amazon, Netflix, and Now TV don’t have equipment and installation costs - these need to be recouped.