V HD Help re the card in set top box

ummzaynab · 13-10-2012, 01:12

It the first time ive come accross this site and was wondering if anyone can help me.
My 18 month old has pulled out the virgin media card i think its refered to as smart card(after checking their website im assuming its the same thing correct me if im wrong) i caught him doung it twice so told him off and put it back. Unfortunately after returning home i realised its missing he mystve manahed to pull it out while i was getting ready
i've been going mad trying to find it& i cant so then i called virgin to ask if they can replace it... yes a cost of Â£50! I dont even pay that much for my package i was in shock so i said you're having a laugh& i said i'll continue looking its now 2 am and ive searched everywhere possible even moved my fridge& cooker washing maching ,sofas everything and cant find it.
I thought maybe up to Â£20 they might charge. How hi-tech are these smart cards that they cost Â£50???
Isnt there any way i can replace for cheaper i really need it working asap but i dont want to pay Â£50! If my son was 18& lost it id make him pay i cant even get him to tell me where he put it he doesn't talk!
I have seen a few on ebay but will they work on my box isit a standard card or is you own card linked to your own box.

AndyCambs · 13-10-2012, 03:11

Fraid not - all paired to your account.
So it's either find the old one, or buy a new one.

kop32 · 13-10-2012, 08:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by ummzaynab

It the first time ive come accross this site and was wondering if anyone can help me.
My 18 month old has pulled out the virgin media card i think its refered to as smart card(after checking their website im assuming its the same thing correct me if im wrong) i caught him doung it twice so told him off and put it back. Unfortunately after returning home i realised its missing he mystve manahed to pull it out while i was getting ready
i've been going mad trying to find it& i cant so then i called virgin to ask if they can replace it... yes a cost of Â£50! I dont even pay that much for my package i was in shock so i said you're having a laugh& i said i'll continue looking its now 2 am and ive searched everywhere possible even moved my fridge& cooker washing maching ,sofas everything and cant find it.
I thought maybe up to Â£20 they might charge. How hi-tech are these smart cards that they cost Â£50???
Isnt there any way i can replace for cheaper i really need it working asap but i dont want to pay Â£50! If my son was 18& lost it id make him pay i cant even get him to tell me where he put it he doesn't talk!
I have seen a few on ebay but will they work on my box isit a standard card or is you own card linked to your own box.

Why don't you just edit your post to the bold as above and cut out all the bull......

Sirius · 13-10-2012, 08:16

Its very simple really,

A card off ebay will not work so forget that.

You will need to phone VM and ask them to supply a new card and yes you have to pay.

They will then send one to you and pair it to your box.

Simples

jb66 · 13-10-2012, 09:22

Its 15 for the card and 35 for an engineer visit. I dont agree with it as it should be able to be posted out?

ummzaynab · 13-10-2012, 10:00

Why don't you just edit your post to the bold as above and cut out all the bull......
????
Why don't you learn some manners?really if it happened to you would you appreciate someone being so rude when your asking genuinely because your not as technically advanced as other people may be?

joglynne · 13-10-2012, 10:38

I remember our card going missing and found it some days later pushed into a flower pot. At least the house was very clean and tidy after we had finished turning it upside down during the Great Card Hunt.

It does seem a tad over the top to charge for an engineers visit when a replacement could safely be sent out by post. After all a card is of no value to anyone until it is paired to a box and then it is only of use to that subscriber.

**Hugh** · 13-10-2012, 10:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by kop32

Why don't you just edit your post to the bold as above and cut out all the bull......

Let's try to be helpful to a new member, please, rather than post replies which could be perceived as rude - thank you.

joglynne · 13-10-2012, 10:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

I seem to remember when all the cards were updated several years ago ours came in the post with the instructions for changing it in the box.

Can't see why an engineer's visit is needed. Money for old rope IMO.

I suspect it is more of a punative charge than anything else as it is presumably only a two minute job for the engineer.

spiderplant · 13-10-2012, 11:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

Can't see why an engineer's visit is needed

It's because the card needs to be activated. When all cards were replaced there was a massive project to enable them to be activated remotely, but this doesn't exist for the tiny number of customers who lose their cards.

MovedGoalPosts · 13-10-2012, 11:09

The engineer visit is probably an anti fraud type measure to stop boxes that shouldn't be reconnected to the VM system getting added. Any time someone does have to attend a customer there will be a cost. Why should VM loose money for something that isn't their fault? And since as stated the package doesn't cost as much as the call out, VM's margins for getting money from your subscription are going to be low, so the engineer visit needs to be self funding?

ummzaynab · 13-10-2012, 11:12

i think what annoys me the most is that they should realise children get fascinated by it and its likely to get lost
Why cant companies who make so much money including other digital tv providers develop a box that have an opening like the iphone! You can't get sim card out with out the key much simpler... but then again its like they want you loose it so the can make more money off you
to charge so much to call an engineer out is also ridiculous like you have said you were sent new cards in the post when that update happen what makes it so different now.

progers · 13-10-2012, 12:12

Have you tried looking at things near the box such as slots in VCR, DVD player etc

spiderplant · 13-10-2012, 12:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by ummzaynab

i think what annoys me the most is that they should realise children get fascinated by it and its likely to get lost
Why cant companies who make so much money including other digital tv providers develop a box that have an opening like the iphone!

We have put the card slot on the rear of all the recent boxes to make it harder for children to take the card. Yes, it could be locked in, but would you be willing to pay iPhone prices for the box?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ummzaynab

then again its like they want you loose it so the can make more money off you

Nonsense. If that were true we'd go out of our way to make the card easy to lose.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ummzaynab

to charge so much to call an engineer out is also ridiculous like you have said you were sent new cards in the post when that update happen what makes it so different now.

Then there was a full team of people supporting the card swap. Having this in place all the time would cost more than sending techs out to replace cards.

Dash: CF noob · 13-10-2012, 12:16

Lets play hunt the card...

I think the dog ate it.