Rippoff Virgin ??????

Sardine · 17-03-2008, 10:07

This happened too my twice..

several months ago I was paying £125 month for:-

£125
XL Broadband
1 TV Drive
1 Digi Box
Top TV package Movies ETC.
Cable Phone + phone int, mobile etc, call reject (pesky cold callers)

My Friend said to me "Why are you paying that much! I have 2 V+ and pay
less"

So I looked into it and yes!! I was paying too much, an offer was available
and was never given to me, "a valued customer since the very start of
cable?" (old analogue brick).

His package which I swopped too.(a HUGE saving I was not told about)
£85 (called VIP)
XL Broadband
2 TV Drive
Top TV package Movies ETC.
Cable Phone + phone int, mobile etc, call reject (pesky cold callers)

Again last month I thought I better check my Bill too see if I could save
some ££££,

I looked on the Virgin Media Website and too my HORROR....

XL Broadband & Cable Phone was on offer £31 when I was paying £37 for XL
alone...

I phoned and asked why I was not given the offer, I was told "We have only
so many phone operators and did not get chance to phone me," WTH?? This
offer was an ongoing offer..

I canceled my TV service and took the XL and phone for £31 a month combined
I was disgusted.

I got a phone call asking why I was canceling My TV and when I explained
and I was told because I have BB and Phone I get FREE TV, 1st cable box as
a free view box for free, I then asked how much to keep 2nd box on free TV
with pause rewind functions. I was told as an offer £9.50 (which I worked
out cheaper than buying a free view+Hard disk tuner over 2 yrs), So I said
yes.

So I have given up my movies (which I didn't watch much) and now have:-

£40.50p
XL Broadband
Cable Phone (no extras)
2 V+ (Free TV) with pause rewind etc.

I went to my brother in laws house and he is on 2mb, I asked how much was he
paying?

and OH! boy is he P****D....

he is paying £18 a month for 2meg when it's advertised on the Website as
£4.50
he is paying £11 a month for a standard cable phone (BB & Phone £29 a month)
He is paying £5.50 for a Digi box on Free TV, This is supposed to be free
with phone and BB

I can say he is not happy,,,

Is this standard policy for Virgin Media to take as much Cash as possible in
the hopes that VALUED customers don't read or query their Bill and get
RIPPED off????

all I can say is..

WHAT A CROCK!!!!!

**David F** · 17-03-2008, 10:14

New offers are not offered to existing customers thats not how it works. As an existing customer you have to stay on top and look for the offers or get loyalty discounts.

Your bills were correct its just you had not applied for the VIP pack . Also note new deals means a new contract I take it you were no longer under contract

Sardine · 17-03-2008, 10:45

Your Wrong (but also correct)

Why can my mobile operator adjust my monthly Tarrif according to my usage to get me the cheapest charges for that month and when my 12 month contract is almost up I get a call offering me cheaper tarrifs to stay.

Why Virgin media is taking £5.50 for my Brother Digi box when it's policy for how long?? that it's free with phone and BB.

I saved £40 a month going to VIP, and the 2nd time I was being ripped off for £17 a month on my BB alone.

My brother as I type this is paying £18 a month for an Advertised £4.50 for his BB.

Contract or not, you are allowed to change tarrifs and This is unfair.

I feel Virgin just HOPE customers just don't check thier Bill, how many others are still paying not just a couple of pounds more but like me a LOT of money.

**David F** · 17-03-2008, 10:49

you have to be on the deals to get the deals the new deals involve a new contract. I will not argue about it being unfair course it is all im saying is its upto the customer to ensure he/she gets the best deal its how it works in a capitalist culture. The billing systems are automated it would involve massive costs to go through every customers bill call them tell them about better deals and these cost would mean higher bills. I still get paper bills and new offers and flyers come with these bills so you do kinda get told about them

Sardine · 17-03-2008, 11:09

if what you say is true ??

Why has my Mobile phone operator not gone out of buisness???

lostandconfused · 17-03-2008, 11:46

I would hardly say it is being ripped off. You agreed to those prices when you first took out those services. VM have just kept everything as it is.

Yes there are new packages available at certain times, and if you call up they will ususally switch you onto them. It isnt VM 's responsibility to check your prices with the newest offers etc. You get a bill every month telling you what you are paying for, and it is not very difficult to check on the website what the current offers are.

Does your bank automatically change your mortgae onto a promotional offer with lower interest rate? Or does your gas company automatically sign you up for e-billing to give you a discount? They send information in the post (unless you have requested not to) and it is up to you if you want to change

Sardine · 17-03-2008, 12:16

Well according to the Virgin Media TV advertisments and my mobile phone operator pricing policy. I would dissagree.

It's upto Virgin Media to offer me better deals, not me to do the leg work.

I pay them, They do not pay me.

blackthorn · 17-03-2008, 12:25

So in all this time are you saying you have never seen an advert, in a mag or newspaper or through the post from Virgin that advertises the VIP package.
I dont think its up to virgin to keep you informed of all the new deals, its up to you check them out.

Ernie_C · 17-03-2008, 12:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sardine

Well according to the Virgin Media TV advertisments and my mobile phone operator pricing policy. I would dissagree.

It's upto Virgin Media to offer me better deals, not me to do the leg work.

I pay them, They do not pay me.

You don't seem to understand how the majority of UK businesses work these days. They are there to make money from their customers. They do not tell you about better deals - it's up to you to find out and negotiate.

It is good that you have found one business, your supplier of mobile phones, that does different. That is a reason for you to stay with them - perhaps! They could be fleecing you compared with other suppliers by giving you their best deal at any time which may be double the best deal elsewhere.

Take off your rose-tinted glasses and go elsewhere than Virgin Media if you are unhappy with how they are dealing with you as a customer. Maybe the grass will be greener elsewhere - that is a chance you will have to take.

Sardine · 17-03-2008, 13:01

I see this thread has been already hijacked by Cable fans....

have fun giving excusses as to why i have been RIPPED off no matter what you say.

ty. bb

lostandconfused · 17-03-2008, 13:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sardine

I see this thread has been already hijacked by Cable fans....

have fun giving excusses as to why i have been RIPPED off no matter what you say.

ty. bb

No its been hijacked by reasoned debate. Easy mistake though.

Did you agree the price you were paying before? Did you ever call up and request to change a package?
Before i get accused of being a 'cable fan' do sky automatically adjust people's package to new promotional offers? Ive not heard of them doing that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sardine

Well according to the Virgin Media TV advertisments and my mobile phone operator pricing policy. I would dissagree.

It's upto Virgin Media to offer me better deals, not me to do the leg work.

I pay them, They do not pay me.

Ive not seen the VM advert that says they will change your package without any request to save you money.

Your right you pay them for the services agreed by you. Why would they want to reduce the amount of money they make unless the revenue is threatened (i.e you request to cancel) or you request it. It wouldnt make financial sense to especially since the competition doesnt offer this and pricing is not their unique selling point.

I think what's really going on here, is you were happy paying your hundred odd quid a month, until you realised there were others paying less than you. How about taking some personal responsibility, put it down to experience and in future keep a closer eye on what you pay and what offers are available?

esdxc37 · 17-03-2008, 14:01

wake up and smell the coffee.

you have not been ripped of. The deals on offer are all available at virginmedias site. All special offers are sent to customers as mailshots and are on billboards all over the country. Add to this the extensive add campaign with uma last year and there is no shortage of information about any offers

corek · 17-03-2008, 14:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackthorn

So in all this time are you saying you have never seen an advert, in a mag or newspaper or through the post from Virgin that advertises the VIP package.
I dont think its up to virgin to keep you informed of all the new deals, its up to you check them out.

No I haven't. But I do get them ringing me up once a month trying to get me to switch my phone from BT to them. The conversation normally goes "For just £2 a month we can offer you free calls at evenings and weekends", Me, "I already have them, but I mainly phone foreign countries", "Which ones?" "Russia", "Well for just £1.50 calls to Russia are only 19p a minute". "Oh, it only costs me 2p a minute, but a 5p connection charge". There is normally then a long silence, or "Where do you get that from?". I reply "I use Call18866". To which I have had the reply, "Must give them a call". That always ends the sales talk.

**David F** · 17-03-2008, 14:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sardine

I see this thread has been already hijacked by Cable fans....

have fun giving excusses as to why i have been RIPPED off no matter what you say.

ty. bb

Im not a hijacking cable fan. Who is your mobile provider? T mobile? if so the flex plans are sold to do what you say yours does as im sure your tarrif is sold to do what you say it does. VM do not sell a service and say they will alter your account depending on what you use etc they sell you a package you agree and pay the costs. You then have to option later to change your package which you have done

BenMcr · 17-03-2008, 15:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by corek

No I haven't. But I do get them ringing me up once a month trying to get me to switch my phone from BT to them. The conversation normally goes "For just £2 a month we can offer you free calls at evenings and weekends", Me, "I already have them, but I mainly phone foreign countries", "Which ones?" "Russia", "Well for just £1.50 calls to Russia are only 19p a minute". "Oh, it only costs me 2p a minute, but a 5p connection charge". There is normally then a long silence, or "Where do you get that from?". I reply "I use Call18866". To which I have had the reply, "Must give them a call". That always ends the sales talk.

Did you ever think of asking them "I don't want what you are offering but is there anything else you can do?"

It is all about engaging in dialogue