SD : TV price rises

[carlwaring]

Originally Posted by BenMcr

A discount is only a discount when it's a reduction against the 'normal' price.

Well that's what it was. It showed the 'normal' prices and then my "loyalty discount".

[BenMcr]

Originally Posted by carlwaring

Well that's what it was. It showed the 'normal' prices and then my "loyalty discount".

But that's what I mean - the 'normal' prices wouldn't have been the advertised ones.

Part of the Loyalty Discount would actually be to get the price to the 'normal' one plus an additional amount to reduce the whole account to the 'Loyalty' price

So you may have seen a discount of, say £30, but £20 of that would have been an adjustment, and your actual discount would have been £10.

However because it says £30, that is what customers would read it as.

Now the focus is on the total bundle amount, so that's why (which is the original point) the letters give a total adjustment only

[passingbat]

Originally Posted by BenMcr

But that's what I mean - the 'normal' prices wouldn't have been the advertised ones.

Part of the Loyalty Discount would actually be to get the price to the 'normal' one plus an additional amount to reduce the whole account to the 'Loyalty' price

So you may have seen a discount of, say £30, but £20 of that would have been an adjustment, and your actual discount would have been £10.

However because it says £30, that is what customers would read it as.

But why such a crazy way of doing things? Price each service at it's correct price, and then show a discount for bundling several services together. Everyone knows exactly where they are then, and the savings advantages of buying bundles can be clearly seen along with any additional loyalty discount. At the moment, it appears to be a 'smoke and mirrors' situation which leads to distrust.

[paultrademark]

Virgins billing system is horrendous, needs an overhaul I reckon if that's the way they need to make it 'normal prices'

[montehampster]

So to summarise all we know is that in February we will have yet another rise to add to April and August increases but we don't know which services are effected and we won't know details until we get an individual letter/email?

My question is can I use this announcement to cancel my contract now or do I need to wait until I get my email/letter? There is absolutely no way I will accept three increases in 12 months on top of gas and electricity increases etc.

My "free" broadband upgrade, I neither wanted nor need, is costing me a small fortune. I've only lasted this long on the thought of additional channels coming but The Africa Channel and 5+1 aren't sufficient to warrant stomaching another rise.

I will miss some of the benefits of the TIVO box but enough is enough!

[joglynne]

It used to be that a price increase gave you the right to cancel whichever service it was attached to.

If the new increase is not itemised and is just for the total bundle does this mean that you can now cancel your whole package without attracting a cancellation charge?

[BenMcr]

Originally Posted by passingbat

But why such a crazy way of doing things? Price each service at it's correct price, and then show a discount for bundling several services together. Everyone knows exactly where they are then, and the savings advantages of buying bundles can be clearly seen along with any additional loyalty discount. At the moment, it appears to be a 'smoke and mirrors' situation which leads to distrust.

Unfortunately it's down in part to historical differences between constituent companies, billing structure, previous pricing schemes and bundles and other factors.

---------- Post added at 16:11 ---------- Previous post was at 16:09 ----------

Originally Posted by joglynne

If the new increase is not itemised and is just for the total bundle does this mean that you can now cancel your whole package without attracting a cancellation charge?

It does now seem to be a simplified statement at www.virginmedia.com/contact

If you do not wish to be bound by these changes you can cancel your contract with us without penalty. The process to be followed is set out in our terms and conditions at virginmedia.com/legalstuff

[denphone]

Originally Posted by BenMcr

Unfortunately it's down in part to historical differences between constituent companies, billing structure, previous pricing schemes and bundles and other factors.

---------- Post added at 16:11 ---------- Previous post was at 16:09 ----------

It does now seem to be a simplified statement at www.virginmedia.com/contact

So sorry to repeat myself Ben but its a maze within a maze within a maze to most of us.

[BenMcr]

Originally Posted by denphone

So sorry to repeat myself Ben but its a maze within a maze within a maze to most of us.

Right, but unfortunately there isn't a simple or easy way to fix it 'behind the scenes', especially whilst so many customers are on the number of different bundles that they are.

The simplified bills and communications were a way to reduce the number of bill complaints in a way that worked - I would point out that the bill format was tested with customers before it was rolled out nationally, and those customers were then surveyed as to whether they liked it.

It would not have been changed if the response to the current bill layout was worse than the previous one

I'd also point out that we had this discussion last April too, and when the new bill format came in. Some people preferred the old one, more people (as confirmed by customer feedback to VM) prefer the new one.

[Arthurgray50@blu]

I have been reading on here that VM have increased there prices three times this year is that correct

[denphone]

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

I have been reading on here that VM have increased there prices three times this year is that correct

Yes with the Sky sports and Movies price rise you are correct.

[carlwaring]

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

I have been reading on here that VM have increased there prices three times this year is that correct

Originally Posted by denphone

Yes with the Sky sports and Movies price rise you are correct.

Technically, and more accurately, it's two of their own. The third was forced on them by Sky

(It's still two too many but there you go )

[Arthurgray50@blu]

Well thats not Skys fault, they increase there prices ONCE a year, and l know that as l am a customers of there's also.

[carlwaring]

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

Well thats not Skys fault, they increase there prices ONCE a year, and l know that as l am a customers of there's also.

What's not Sky's fault? You think VM should just swallow any price increases forced on them by other suppliers?

[devilincarnate]

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

I have been reading on here that VM have increased there prices three times this year is that correct

Wrong and getting sick of this load