TiVo General TiVo Discussion Part 3 - Page 27

Peter_ · 09-04-2012, 12:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

I finally admit defeat.

**Hugh** · 09-04-2012, 13:28

Play nicely, boys and girls....

Arthurgray50@blu · 09-04-2012, 19:28

'I don't believe it' l like that, what l should have said was 500BG 250 hours and 1TB 500 hours.

I always thought that there were very good brainers on this forum that would have sussed it when l said Tivo boxes at 250 hours etc.

Chad · 09-04-2012, 19:48

I was at my brothers last night and he was asking me about TiVo and Virgins new Collections. He has been on the VIP package for 4 years and out of contract for sometime.

Basically does anyone know for sure how long needs to pass between leaving Virgin and re-joining them before they class you as a new customer and give you new customer deals. He is interested in the VIP Collection which is half price for 6 months plus free TiVo 1Tb.

He's been with Virgin without contract for 3 years and has no plans of leaving. He has no problem entering into a 12 or 18 month contract. As he stands currently he'll have to pay Â£49.95 activation fee and Â£49.95 installation fee for TiVo 1Tb. He is just wondering if there is a way to get it free plus his package half price for 6 months to boot.

Surely it can't be as easy as leaving and re-joining pretty much straight away as everyone out of contract would be doing it? Any info would be great.

zantarous · 09-04-2012, 20:13

Its either 3 months or 6 can't remember which.

Chad · 09-04-2012, 21:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by zantarous

Its either 3 months or 6 can't remember which.

Really, that long?

So hypothetically if my brother cancels his subscription with Virgin and tells them he is joining SKY, but then calls Virgin back 48 hours later to advise he is no longer joining SKY and would like to recommence services with Virgin they wouldn't try to re-contract him as a new customer for 12 months? He would be able to "re-join" and continue on as he is just now out of contract free to cancel whenever?

My brother is on the old VIP package with 20mb broadband, the old style V+ box and a standard V box in his bedroom that doesn't have a HDMI output. My brother also doesn't have SKY Sports or SKY Movies in HD. So if my brother cancels with Virgin, as stated above, but then calls Virgin back 48 hours later to re-join on the VIP Collection what would Virgin do? He has left them as a provider and now wishes to return but with entirely new services. Pretty much all of his equipment would need to be changed / upgraded i.e. the modem is too old to handle 100mb and his V box doesn't carry HD. Would Virgin charge him for the TiVo 1TB, the V HD box and the new modem?

Alternatively how long after cancelling do Virgin ask for their boxes to be returned? If my brother cancels, returns the equipment, and then asks to re-join what would happen?

carlwaring · 09-04-2012, 22:14

Instead of trying to play the system, just call VM's retentions dept. and talk to them. Yeah. Radical I know

Chad · 09-04-2012, 22:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlwaring

Instead of trying to play the system, just call VM's retentions dept. and talk to them. Yeah. Radical I know

I suppose he could but that would ruin all the fun

My brother mentioned this the other night which made me curious. Now it's becoming an obsession

spiderplant · 09-04-2012, 22:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlwaring

just call VM's retentions dept. and talk to them.

That's also playing the system as he "has no plans of leaving". He should speak to Customer Services.

But if he really does choose to disconnect, he would have to give 30 days' notice (see here). He can rejoin at any time, but won't be eligible for new customer offers until 6(?) months have passed.

carlwaring · 09-04-2012, 23:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiderplant

That's also playing the system as he "has no plans of leaving". He should speak to Customer Services.

I never have any plans to leave but always call retentions because they are the ones that have latest customer offers, etc. CS only know what's on the website.

Chad · 10-04-2012, 11:00

Well my brother gave them a call and he is absolutely delighted. He's went from the old VIP20 package to the VIP Collection with 100mb broadband, 1Tb TiVo, SKY HD plus he's also keeping the V+ box as his second box. He is paying no installation fee or activation fee and only has to re-contract for 12 months. Also based on the recent price changes he told me he is actually saving about Â£1.00!

He told me he called through 150 then option 4, I think, and spoke to a lovely lady who recognised he was out of contract and a loyal customer. He said those were actually her words. As a result she would happily upgrade his services without charge.

I'm pretty impressed.

denphone · 10-04-2012, 11:25

Thats a excellent deal Chad for your brother.

Chad · 10-04-2012, 11:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone

Thats a excellent deal Chad for your brother.

I'm sure if people who are out of contract call Virgin, and approach them in the right manner, there are deals to be done. Technically if my brother just added the TiVo 1Tb box to his package he should have really paid Â£49.95 for the box and then Â£49.95 for standard engineer installation. There is nothing about the deal I can fault. He didn't even try his luck with retentions or anything. It was the lady at Virgin who suggested the VIP collection after reviewing his current package. He just called asking how long would a new contract would be if he upgraded to TiVo 1Tb and before he knew it they offered the VIP Collection plus his V+ box totally free of charge. Oh plus he's getting the Superhub too and 3 months worth of Spotify free also.

For all the moaning I do at times, got to give Virgin 10 out of 10 for customer service. My brothers smug face is making me sick

carlwaring · 10-04-2012, 12:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad

I'm sure if people who are out of contract call Virgin, and approach them in the right manner, there are deals to be done.

And the bolded bit is the important bit. There is no need to go in "feet first" as they say; all guns blazing, threatening to leave (with no intention of doing so), etc.

Something about bees, honey and vinegar!

Chad · 10-04-2012, 12:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlwaring

Something about bees, honey and vinegar!

There's only one I'd put in my tea, the other 2 would just make it a ridiculous drink

I do however agree Carl, seems Virgin do their best work when you are not pointing a gun at their head A.K.A. threatening to join SKY.

You've no idea how happy my brother is. He's had VIP20 for about 4 years. He was too bloody lazy to give Virgin a call thinking it was going to cost him a small fortune and generally be a pain in the neck. It's not even the TiVo box he's most chuffed about, it's getting the SKY channels in HD.