Forum Discussion

stannoo's avatar
stannoo
On our wavelength
6 days ago

Big increase in new contract offer

I'm on basic broadband & TV and was paying £36 at the start of the contract last year.  It ends in a couple of weeks so I rang retentions.  First I was offered £48, then a final offer of £44 when I was put through to the UK office.

That seems like a big increase (even taking annual increase into account) considering I've lost Eurosports which was one of the best features of TV.  New customers are getting much bigger packages (e.g. Bigger Combo Bundle) for a lot less than £44.

complaint
renewal

11 Replies

  • Adduxi's avatar
    Adduxi
    Very Insightful Person
    6 days ago

    The initial contract price would have been with discounts.  These discounts should be clearly shown on your Contract, so the price would have been known in advance.  This is normal for VM, as is the "new" customer pricing.  If you want a better price, you need to deal with retentions and note any price given will be a one off offer valid only at that time.  Otherwise be ready to leave for another ISP if you are not happy.  I've left twice and returned when the price was right for me.

    • stannoo's avatar
      stannoo
      On our wavelength
      6 days ago

      The last contract wasn't my first.  I've been with VM and predecessors for many years, so it wasn't a "new customer" contract.

      My issue is I being asked more than 20% more for a smaller package (i.e. no Eurosport).

      • Adduxi's avatar
        Adduxi
        Very Insightful Person
        6 days ago

        Ahh, I see.  Like most contract changes, VM usually up the price.  Not a good practice I would agree, basically paying more for less.

  • Mr_K's avatar
    Mr_K
    Knows their stuff
    6 days ago

    Vote with your feet. They lost over 51 400 customers in the last quarter. They therefore need to charge those that remain more  and tie them down to longer contracts.

    https://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/virgin-media-o2-sheds-51400-broadband-customers-in-last-quarter

     

     

    • unisoft's avatar
      unisoft
      Super solver
      5 days ago

      They are charging more, because they want to use the money to build a fund to take over ALTNETS when they start to struggle. By nature, if you remove competition, you can then go back to your usual model. There are ALTNETS in areas that VM does not operate, and in areas where they have old coax. Longer contracts tie people into VM in the hope the ALTNETS struggle due to customers being held longer under minimum term contracts.

      • regentroad5's avatar
        regentroad5
        Superfast
        3 days ago

        When I open the "openreach" site and type in my postcode and look at Full Fibre options I'm presented with loads of provider options.

        https://www.openreach.com/

        Does this increase, or not, the likelihood of an attractive offer from Virgin Media when my contract ends in a few months?

        Thank you.