Could I get a better deal?

[andybuk99]

I swapped from Sky to Vm 18 months ago via a mates rates deal. I have a VIP package, a cut and paste of the latest bill is below. We have 3 or 4 pounds worth of calls extra at the most every month.

Could I get a better deal or should I just be happy with this. I dont want to downgrade the tv bundle or internet.

Total service charges
£58.90

Includes VAT at the appropriate rate(s)

Advance charges
£58.90

Main services (Provided by Virgin Media Ltd or Virgin Media Payments Ltd) £29.40
Description Date/period Amount
Telephone Line Rental 16 February - 15 March £12.24
Talk International 16 February - 15 March £1.50
Talk Mobile 16 February - 15 March £1.50
Talk Unlimited 16 February - 15 March £8.00
Mates Rates 16 February - 15 March £-36.49
Free Voicemail 16 February - 15 March £0.00
TV Size: X L 16 February - 15 March £25.00
1 Additional V Box 16 February - 15 March £15.00
V+ HD Box 16 February - 15 March £10.00
Add Set Box(es) Discount 16 February - 15 March £-9.40
Phone, TV & BB Saving 16 February - 15 March £-34.95
Broadband Xl(20) 16 February - 15 March £37.00

Premium TV channels (Provided by Virgin Media Entertainment) £29.50
Description Date/period Amount
Movies4,Movies5,Sports1,Sports2 16 February - 15 March £29.50

Thanks for any replies and advice.

[Hugh]

That's (imho) a bloody good deal - I pay around the same, but don't have Movies/Sports or Talk Mobile/International.

You ask for any more off, they may think you are extracting the urine......

[jb66]

You can't beat mates rates

---------- Post added at 21:00 ---------- Previous post was at 20:58 ----------

Actually vip50 mates rates is better value

[Peter_]

You will not get a better deal than that above and they will not even attempt to offer a better deal.

[andybuk99]

So could I take up some of their offers, like the recent 20 to 30meg hike or upgrade my package to vip 50 by calling them or would i have to go through the whole mates rates routine again? The only thing I would like is more hd and the additional box to be hd.

[jb66]

Mates rates means you get a £33.50 discount no matter how big your package is

[andybuk99]

Might go for this then...

And as one of our top customers, we'd like to offer you our exclusive VIP with up to 50Mb broadband super bundle. For just £5 extra a month, you can enjoy our super fast broadband and on top of that, we'll even add Sky Sports and Sky Movies in HD to your package too. Better still, we're waiving the installation and activation fees - saving you £70. Pretty good huh?"

Or wait for Tivo and swap the old sd box out for the hd+ box and then get it activated.

Or get Vip 50 as was said before, will they swapmy old v box out for a hd one?

Decisions

[jb66]

They will if you go ahead before tivo launch

[andybuk99]

Cant find the VIP 50 price, anyone know how much or has a link?

TIA

[jb66]

£5 more than VIP20 with free sky sports/movies HD

---------- Post added at 10:55 ---------- Previous post was at 10:54 ----------

http://shop.virginmedia.com/bundles/...e-package.html

[RobboEdin]

It amazes me that people come on here, saying that they are on Mates Rates, and expect even more of a discount.

Why do they even come on here when surely the first port of call about Mates Rates should be the employee who very generously got them the deal in the first place?

[andybuk99]

Originally Posted by RobboEdin

It amazes me that people come on here, saying that they are on Mates Rates, and expect even more of a discount.

Why do they even come on here when surely the first port of call about Mates Rates should be the employee who very generously got them the deal in the first place?

Whats wrong with trying to get the best deal you can? People who already have deals still try to get a better one.

Not every mates rates mate works in a particular area of the company that is fully up to date with all the deals.

But thanks for your concern and help.

[RobboEdin]

Originally Posted by andybuk99

Whats wrong with trying to get the best deal you can? People who already have deals still try to get a better one.

Not every mates rates mate works in a particular area of the company that is fully up to date with all the deals.

But thanks for your concern and help.

I'm sorry but Mates Rates is an employee benefit and should be well documented internally to Virgin Media employees.

Mates Rates discounts are way beyond anything that a normal customer can get and anyone with them should feel very fortunate and not look for an extra couple of quid a month off.

[andybuk99]

Originally Posted by RobboEdin

I'm sorry but Mates Rates is an employee benefit and should be well documented internally to Virgin Media employees.

Mates Rates discounts are way beyond anything that a normal customer can get and anyone with them should feel very fortunate and not look for an extra couple of quid a month off.

I do feel very fortunate however it is obvious that the mates rates deal is not just an employee benefit because of its very nature.

All I have asked via my post is if I am on the best deal for my requirements.It seems to me that you are not on this kind of deal and to me you are coming across as slightly bitter.

At the end of the day what is wrong with trying to save a few quid or getting a better deal than you have already got?

[RobboEdin]

Originally Posted by andybuk99

I do feel very fortunate however it is obvious that the mates rates deal is not just an employee benefit because of its very nature.

All I have asked via my post is if I am on the best deal for my requirements.It seems to me that you are not on this kind of deal and to me you are coming across as slightly bitter.

At the end of the day what is wrong with trying to save a few quid or getting a better deal than you have already got?

Of course it is a employee benefit! The benefit to the employee is that he can GIVE something to his family and friends.

As I have said before, Mates Rates is by far the best deal for anyone. If you are on Mates Rates, you should not expect anything in addition.

I do not have Mates Rates but am certainly not bitter about that. I am happy with the price I pay for the service I get.

I am bitter about people like yourself that do not seem to see what a great deal they have simply because of their good fortune in knowing someone who works for Virgin Media.

What's wrong with someone on Mates Rates looking for even more discount? You are already losing Virgin Media money by supplying your service at a Mates Rates price. You want to reduce their profit even more?