Free Netbook from Virgin?

[MannyUK]

Just got off the phone to CS/Sales who say i'm not on the pre approved list so i'm not eligible for the offer, he said he wasnt sure whether it was because the systems weren't working properly or because of credit rating, etc.

Assuming it's the credit rating or whatever how come virgin are happy for me to be on the VIP pack for well over a year at nearly £100 a month, but now i want to add mobile broadband for £15 a month (taking my service charge to £60 a month) my money is not good enough for them.

Does this sound right or has the CS rep got it wrong?

Thanks

[sammyjayuk]

I must admit to being somewhat confused as to how this netbook can be advertised as "free" when, as far as I can tell from VM's website, 1GB mobile broadband packages with the netbook cost £10 more per month than those without it. Of course, every other mobile company does it - but you're paying £240 for the netbook over the life of the contract, which isn't immediately clear. It does seem that VM's 3GB + netbook package is at no extra cost, though.

I suppose it's a bit like mobile phone contracts (in fact, it's probably exactly like mobile phone contracts...) with a "free" phone - and to be honest I'm not entirely sure how they continue to get away with that either! For example, comparing O2's standard 600/500 plan at £35pcm for 18 months with their simplicity 600/600 plan at £20pcm for just a 1 month minimum term shows that over 18 months you pay £270 extra for taking a phone - so, as with the laptop deals, I can hardly see how the term "free" applies there!

As I said, it's not just VM doing it - it's just always confused me how a phone/laptop can be advertised as "free" when it's obvious to any clod with a calculator that "free" doesn't usually come into it...

Sam

[BenMcr]

The term free applies in regards to the monthly price - in that there are no additional costs on top of the advertised price for the laptop/phone

It is academic as to whether to you can get the same services cheaper without the netbook/phone - as the two prices are not referenced in the advertising

[sammyjayuk]

Originally Posted by BenMcr

The term free applies in regards to the monthly price - in that there are no additional costs on top of the advertised price for the laptop/phone

It is academic as to whether to you can get the same services cheaper without the netbook/phone - as the two prices are not referenced in the advertising

Hmm. You see, I don't think it is academic (mathematic, maybe!), because taking a 1GB package with the laptop costs, in a very real way, £240 more over 24 months than the same service taken over the same period without said laptop.

Indeed, by my own (perhaps, occasionally, a little too logical) common sense, it is academic as to whether the two prices are referenced together. The fact still remains that the two services exist, and the only real differences between them - excluding the laptop - are the contract length and monthly price.

I suppose the entire discussion about this is somewhat academic - it seems as if a committee of people much cleverer than I am, and therefore much more qualified to define something as logically common "sensical" have decided that this sort of arrangement is fair*, certainly not in any way misleading and above all legal. Who am I to argue?

Sam

* Not that I actually think that being able to spread the cost of a laptop/phone over 24/18/12 months is unfair - it's a good way of getting a new device and not paying much, if anything, upfront. I do struggle to think of it as being anything other than a form of credit, though, which is why I think it's slightly misleading...

[cred1980]

called them this morning about this deal but they clearly didnt have a clue. Spoke to retentions as i am thinking of canceling who put me through to sales who said i would need to go onto triple xl to get the netbook. I am currently on xl tv and phone but med bb and this would cost me 73.00 a month
I currently pay about 35.00 - on the website it states you can get 1g mobile bb l-bb and m tv and phone for 29.00 plus 11 for phone line so 41.00 a month. I then asked how much to add xl phone to this and was told it would be 58.00 plus i would need to pay 50.00 up front.
Think the offer is a bit of a con you can get a netbook from mobile providers for the same price
i spoke to retentions again and they said they would look into it and call me back that was at 0900 this morning and still not heard anything.
arse and elbow comes to mind

[BenMcr]

Originally Posted by sammyjayuk

Hmm. You see, I don't think it is academic (mathematic, maybe!), because taking a 1GB package with the laptop costs, in a very real way, £240 more over 24 months than the same service taken over the same period without said laptop.

But that's exactly what I'm trying to say.

Virgin only describe it as 'free' on adverts with the higher price. If you do pay that higher price then it is free - because there is then no extra cost.

If they did advertise the normal bundle with the netbook option - they would have to advertise it as + £10

[djmagnifique]

i'm on the VIP package, I have no need for mobile broadband, is there any way to get the netbok without signing up to mobile broadband? I don't mind paying a reasonable price.

[cred1980]

think u would just need to pay 50.00

But dont quote me on that

[dilli-theclaw]

Originally Posted by cred1980

think u would just need to pay 50.00

But dont quote me on that

My dad (who is on the vip pack) did just that. He also had the choice of paying for delivery to get it in three working days or not paying delivery and just getting it within the month.

[deathtrap3000]

Phoned them up and in 45mins had the red netbook on order for £50 with a £30 credit being applied to my next bill. Should get it in 10 days.

Good times

[Peter_]

Originally Posted by Thomas T

My dad (who is on the vip pack) did just that. He also had the choice of paying for delivery to get it in three working days or not paying delivery and just getting it within the month.

You can get it on National as well.

[dilli-theclaw]

Originally Posted by Moldova

You can get it on National as well.

I don't suppose you have any details on that?

[fireman328]

Aint it good when a plan comes together and everyone knows what happening lol

[BenMcr]

Originally Posted by Moldova

You can get it on National as well.

Not yet - but it's 'Coming Soon'

[dilli-theclaw]

Originally Posted by BenMcr

Not yet - but it's 'Coming Soon'

Welll here's hoping it comes before august 4th when my contract is up for renewal