restriction
 

To Whom It may concern,
I have a huge issue with Virgin Media , due to a change in my circumstances regarding funding, i am late with my monthly payment and restrictions are due to be enforced on the 24th of the month. I am a single disabled lady and have a life line linked to my telephone as when ill i cannot dial 999 . I rely heavily on this life line, and have been told today by Virgin Media representatives that it does not matter . My bill needs to be up to date before they will consider extending my service. I waited for a mnager to contact before 8 pm , i am still waiting. The bill will be paid 8 days late which apparently is no good . I spoke to 4 different people today who just passed me around and did not help . All i have asked for is help but it seems Virgin media do not help people . I have been very stressed and upset by this action today I now hope of some solace to this problem, and i warn anyone with health issue and a lifeline do not use Virgin media until they show some slight consideration for people whom have difficulties.

Re: restriction
 

Although I can appreciate your situation, at the same time Virgin do not restrict services for late payment until around 5/6 weeks after a bill has been generated and certainly not before the next bill has been sent out which in itself is 4/5 weeks later

So for Virgin to be looking to restrict your services on the 24th of August, I would guess you are actually are talking about a bill that was generated mid-July and that should have been paid by the first/second week of August.

For them to wait a further 10-14 days or so before restricting the services seems reasonable to me

Also Virgin can extend a restriction if it is the first time a payment is late - but even then only by a maximum of 7 days. Again they will only do this if there are no late payments ever showing on the account (and/or any previous restrictions for late payment)

Re: restriction
 

Dear Ben,
Thankyou for your input , and i understand what you are saying completely, but my circumstances mean i Cannot communicate when i am ill , i cannot swllow or talk, I do not think that lying on a floor because i cannot get up on my own and Virgin Media cutting my life line off really helps me . If i died it would be a different matter . I am unable to use the phone myself and rely on that life line . I have to use it 3 to 8 times a month . i appreciate your comment but my life is worth slightly more than a slight delay in payment which has never happened before , to boost virgins profits . I do not normally complain but htis has caused the most upset and distress to me today as i was teated like an undesired object by asking them for help not hinderance

Re: restriction
 

Again, I am sorry you feel you have been victimised.

As I have already said, Virgin build plenty of leeway into their billing system for any payment issues to be resolved amicably before a restriction is placed onto the account.

I must repeat that the restriction goes on a lot later that you have made out.

I am sorry to sound callous here but managing payments is something we all have to do in life. If it was me, and I knew that the landline was that important, I would have created an emergency fund or buffer so that I always knew that I have enough money to cover the costs.

Re: restriction
 

With Ben on this on. They are normally very helpfull, plus the 24th is only 5 /6 days away

Re: restriction
 

And again as I said - they can push the restriction forward by 7 days. But there is very strict criteria for doing this. And they will only ever do it once

Re: restriction
 

The way I see it, VM is a business - if people can't organise their money, then meh.

Why? If you phone line is as important as you say, then you should have a backup - I have health issues and have a cheap pay as you go for emergencies

Whilst I understand, that you are reliant in your landline for your health issues - Virgin is a business. You wouldn't expect to pay for your groceries "late" and still get them, so why should this be different. Personally and this is personally speaking, seems to me, you have other ways around this. You can buy a cheap pay as you go, just for a "999" call for about £10.00

Something like this: http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/buy...00-VRW10-WEB10 £4.95 for the phone £10.00 for credit - free shipping.

IDEA: Can a family member or freind not pay this for you? and you give them the cash?

Re: restriction
 

Dear Ben
Am very sorry dear , but i disagree to take disregard for for someones health is dispicable ,maybe one day something may happen to someone you love or yourself and you find yourself in my situation, and it happens to you , you will feel differently. until then enjoy sticking up for Virgin Media because they will not do the same for you. You are a nobody in their eyes a nothing , pehaps when you see life through different glasses you may understand. Thankyou for making a disabled lady feel even more upset and hurt by your negative comments , I hope you are pleased with your self

Re: restriction
 

Seriously lady, i have disabilities, if you can;t handle the truth then don't post, simple as. My suggestions above, will resolve it oh believe me when I say, I understand your situation but being such a martre on a public forum, is it really necessary, simple answer to resolve this, pay on time or get your services "suspended" it's not hard now is it?

Well, to be honest, no one is "sticking" up for Virgin Media, just I can see both sides. Maybe, if Virgin would "care" a little more, they'd be bankrupt. My example, goes above, you wouldn't expect to get your groceries and pay later. I'm sorry that your upset and hurt, but maybe you should just grow a set and "women-up" a bit. Granted, your disabled and your probably feeling a little "alone" right now - I WILL say it again, pay your bill on time then. Simple as.

Re: restriction
 

I have now lost all sympathy for you.

I had not insulted you in any way but yet you decided to wish ill will on me and my loved ones which is a extremely hurtful and spitful comment.

I'm not sure what you mean by that. What has having a disability got to do with not having enough monitary sense to make sure your lifeline is paid on time or having a contingency plan in case there is hiccup in finances?

I do understand, but what it I get from your comments is that because you are disabled than the normal rules shouldn't apply to you. I am sorry but that is just a non starter in my eyes.

I was actually trying to be constructive and explain what had happened and the options you have avaliable. However, I now can see that what you were expecting is a outpouring of 'aren't Virgin Media evil' rather than any actual help

Re: restriction
 

Good job dude - I'm with you on this. She seems to simply want everyone to go, awww your disabled, lets jump when you click your fingers - to the OP as i said, being disabled aint that bad - women-up a bit and or grow a set.

And to wish hurt / pain of any kind on anyone, no matter whom - must mean, you are a very nasty person. Clearly, your wrapped in anger from VM - so take a minute to read why you have typed.

Re: restriction
 

When my mum was living she had the alarm system that relied on the telephone.
After having it installed her first priority was always paying the phone bill because she knew her life literally depended on it.
IMO the only priority you should get as a disabled customer is to have immediate tech visits when you have issues with your services.
My husband's disability isn't life threatening in any way, but due to his disability he very rarely leaves the house and because of this he spends a lot of time on his computer and the internet, that makes a working, paid for broadband service and an up to date high spec computer my priority for him.
Being disabled you gets priority for some things but paying your bills is something you need to take responsibility for and make it your priority.

Re: restriction
 

Point proven

Re: restriction
 

You only need to pay the arrears by Friday to prevent a restriction, not the total amount payable on the bill.

The rest (plus a £10 late payment fee) can be made later, preferably before the next months bill is generated to prevent another late payment fee being added

Re: restriction
 

A landline isnt 100% reliable. I would get a cheap pay and go mobile as a backup - even use it as your main emergency link as you dont even need credit to phone emergency numbers.