Forum Discussion

AW58's avatar
AW58
Just joined
11 days ago

+Old customers prices

Why do current customers have to pay more than the "NEW Customers" for TV broadband and Phone packages? It is so unfair.

Why should I need to leave Virgin and go to Sky, then return to Virgin in the future to get a fair price its mad

10 Replies

  • goslow's avatar
    goslow
    Alessandro Volta

    New customer pricing is an 'introductory offer' to hook you in and encourage you to join VM. While you are thinking of joining VM, you have the advantage as a customer-in-weighting.

    Once you are hooked, and become a customer, VM has the advantage in the customer/supplier relationship.

    The only leverage you have, when renewing, is the threat of leaving VM for another supplier. How well you can use that lever depends on how good your negotiating skills are.

    • munrobasher's avatar
      munrobasher
      Up to speed

      I have no problem with the introductory offer to hook new customers in but I'm currently paying nearly THREE times as much as a new customer. That disparity is IMO just way too much. I'm afraid the second OpenReach get FTTP installed (they were working on it last month across the road), I'll be moving which is a shame after 25 years as a customer.

      I live in a town of 8,000 people where cable & wireless installed cable 25 years ago. Our local Facebook group has frequent posts along the lines "I'm paying far too much for Virgin Media, any updates on full fibre". It's not a good look for their business.

      For the same prices as VM, I could install a Starlink on the roof. I'm assuming that the costs of putting thousands of satellites in space doesn't compare to fibre/cable install but I'm paying similar monthly costs.

      • Cardiffman282's avatar
        Cardiffman282
        Wise owl

        Sounds like you are on a rolling contract at peak pricing. Check for offers on 0345 454 1111 /150.

    • munrobasher's avatar
      munrobasher
      Up to speed

      The only leverage you have, when renewing, is the threat of leaving VM for another supplier. How well you can use that lever depends on how good your negotiating skills are.

      That's a pretty sad state of affairs and leaves a rather bad taste. The price you pay depends upon how firm you can be at negotiating. That smacks of taking advantage of esp. the elderly. Not really a company I'd want to carry on been a customer of.

      IMO VM got a bit too arrogant when they were often the only alternative for higher speed internet compared to FTTC. But that's all changing so VM - please reduce your prices for existing customers or we'll walk. I've worked in IT all my life but I'm winding down now. I reckon I could keep myself quite busy semi-retired in our town of 8,000 helping people move from VM.

      • goslow's avatar
        goslow
        Alessandro Volta
        munrobasher wrote:

        That's a pretty sad state of affairs and leaves a rather bad taste. The price you pay depends upon how firm you can be at negotiating. That smacks of taking advantage of esp. the elderly.

        This is perfectly correct. VM (and other suppliers) have operated this way for years. Present-day corporate greed is limitless. We see on here quite regularly topics where older customers are paying huge sums of money for basic packages. There is no 'safety net' in place to catch anyone who is not capable of dealing with a VM renegotiation every 18 months so, for some, their package price keeps going up and up each year at the annual price rise.

        You have already identified next steps in your post. If VM does not come up with a price/package which is suitable for your needs then switch supplier. This is how OFCOM wants the market to work with customers moving between suppliers to get the best deal.

  • I was leaving in May, signed a deal with Vodaphone but last minute Virgin offered me a deal that was too good to refuse. (When?) you come to the end of your current deal shop around and see what deals are out there and talk to Virgin telling them you are thinking of switching. Be nice though it goes a long way...:)

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous

    There have been many, many posts on here from customers claiming that they have been offered the 'absolutely best deal we can - take it or leave it'; and then when opting to leave it and cancel, suddenly some days later they get a call from VM offering a deal which is much better than the 'very best deal' previous.

    It's a game, it's bluff and counter-bluff. But if you play it, do be prepared for VM to call your bluff and let you leave, and don't call you with a better offer. So be prepared to leave, you have set up with another provider, yes?

    Because if you do cancel and then call VM asking to stay; don't be surprised to find that the cost is now higher, and a big red flag on your account, saying 'this customer is a completely BS'er they will threaten to leave, ignore it, offer them NOTHING. They are a MUG who eventually suck up whatever we demand of them....

    No I'm paraphrasing, the notes on your account probably don't say exactly that, but you get the idea!

  • Because, quote ‘when you came on board with us 300 years ago you got an offer just like the new customers get.  We appreciate that you have been with us for 300 years ‘tough’ and new business will stay with us for exactly 18 months but we don’t care.  Deal with it, have a nice life. 👋