60Mb upgrade needs new contract?

[mark1234]

I used the green box option in My VM last week to opt in to the speed increase, going from 20 to 60 in my case. I need a shub for this as I have an old modem, and it's due to arrive today (though My VM isn't listing a tracking number for it yet, so I'm not confident of it arriving).

However, yesterday I received a letter from VM "now that [I'm] a Virgin Media Customer" (and have been since Diamond Cable days), and they want me to sign up for a new 12 month contract. I was under the impression that this speed boost didn't need a new contract - am I wrong?

Financially I don't want to get tied into a new contract at the moment, so I'll stick with 20 meg if need be.

The monthly amount quoted is what I’m paying now, so pre-April price rise. If I sign this are VM locked into this price for a year, or are they issuing contracts with a price that's only effective for a week?

Also under the "Other Items & Charges" section they've listed "Bmodrt07" as something I've bought, albeit at zero charge. What is this?

[Tim Deegan]

Ben was saying something the other day about not needing a new contract for the speed upgrade. But I can't remember exactly what he said.

I would have thought that if you just waited until VM upgrade you, without you requesting it, then they can't make you sign a new contract...but I may be wrong.

[BenMcr]

Hmm, as far as I know an upgrade through My VM shouldn't trigger a new contract

[mark1234]

I phoned up and was told that a manual request for upgrade needed a new contract. The letter makes it look like it's just the BB part that's under a new contract, but the chap on the phone it was for the whole service.

He did say waiting for the upgrade wouldn't require a new contract.

Oh, well. Guess I'll be on 20 for a while longer then. He didn't mention anything the shub that should be sat at home by now.

[ceedee]

I also upgraded through the website and the paperwork stated it was for a new 12-month contract (and that there would be a £49.95 installation fee).
So I too cancelled the early upgrade and will wait another few months...

For me, the broadband service is fantastic but the standard of VM's admin is depressing.

[BenMcr]

Originally Posted by mark1234

I phoned up and was told that a manual request for upgrade needed a new contract. The letter makes it look like it's just the BB part that's under a new contract, but the chap on the phone it was for the whole service.

I shall check tomorrow

[Gadgie]

Our 10Meg Internet charge went up to £22.50 from £20 recently. I spoke to two Virgin installers who were working in our neighbours house, about this, and they told me that if we signed a Two Year contract it would drop down to £18.50.

So I contacted VM, and they said this was true, so we asked them to send us a new contract. Yet as we were talking on the phone they offered me a great deal for all Three services, if we went back over to them.

So we did, and will now save £18 a month as well. Our bill for Sky TV was slowly rising all the time, until it was around £12 a month more than when we first joined them, and the phone costs were rising as well?

[mark1234]

Originally Posted by ceedee

and that there would be a £49.95 installation fee

I was half expecting that, and was already checking the bill online to make sure a charge wasn't being added, but the contract I received does clearly say there are no one off charges.

Originally Posted by BenMcr

I shall check tomorrow

Thanks.

[BstuSco]

I'm in excactly the same position as mark1234 with a 20mb connection. I have posted on another forum only last night as I'm not sure where I stand on this. I see no reason why I should be tied to another years contract. Been a customer since the Telewest days and I know I'm out of contract. Hub due to be delivered today, but as it stands I won't be installing it or signing another contract. Will be phoning Virgin later today.

[mark1234]

Just to follow up here, although not happy with getting a new contract, we did decide to go with it. We've just reviewed all the services we get from Virgin, including pricing up various other suppliers, but decided to stay. So the chances of us actually wanting to leave in the next 12 months is slim. We signed. We have 60Mb now.

Initial thoughts on the superhub:
* It's big
* It has a very flashy very blue light
* No dyndns options in the settings - I access my Media Centre remotely, so need to work around this
* Wireless hasn't dropped yet - unlike my old Netgear router which would need rebooting given the slightest provocation
* Wireless signal strength is rubbish - from the same location as my old router I get probably 70% of the coverage I used to have

[jono_h]

I was offered my upgrade early, but also received the paperwork for a new 12mth contract. I was also charged £20 for a superhub, but have had his creditted back on to my account.

I've actually gone from 10 to 30meg, and have no plans to move so a new 12mth contract is no problem.

[BstuSco]

Hello guys. Well my hub was delivered yesterday. As you will then be aware, once connected you need to call Virgin to activate it. I am simply going to connect it and call to activate. Still not going to sign new contract. As I`m out of contract I feel it puts me in a position to get a better deal from them in the near future.

[mark1234]

By activing the new hardware you are implicitly accepting the new contract. Don't want a new contract, don't use the new hardware. Sorry, but it's that simple.

[BstuSco]

You are probably right, but I think it`s worth trying.

[gcollins]

I specifically asked the question about the "free" upgrade to 60 meg which included the shub.

I was told that if I went ahead then a new contract would be put in place.

Hence I remain on 20meg.