Forum Discussion

pawelw's avatar
pawelw
Tuning in
2 months ago

Trying out a new provider while still with VM

So my contract with VM is coming to an end. In my account, I was offered a deal for another 24 months which is very similar to what I've been paying and since I'm quite happy with VM service, to avoid the hassle of switching, I signed up for it.

But in the meantime I was looking at other providers and one in particular (Onestream) has a much cheaper offer which looks tempting (providing I use my own router to save on router costs - I have an old Plusnet Hub One router which I think should work with FTCC).

So I'm tempted to sign up with Onestream and test them out within the cooling off while still on VM and then decide which one to keep. I'm worried that if I switch completely, I will lose that deal that VM gave me.

This should theoretically be possible, right?

6 Replies

  • Client62's avatar
    Client62
    Alessandro Volta
    2 months ago

    I would not order any ISP service assuming to be able to cancel in the cooling off period, cancelling can be hard to do ( VM make it very difficult ) and if it does not work out as exactly as assumed, you will be seriously out of pocket for a service cancelled just out of the cooling off period.

    I would only sign up with Onestream is it was my intention to move to that ISP.  i.e I had taken the time to confirm the service is what is wanted and so on.

    Having dual ISP for a couple of months to mange the switch over is a sensible plan.

    • pawelw's avatar
      pawelw
      Tuning in
      2 months ago

      Thanks. Sorry if I misunderstood but it sounds like you are contradicting yourself - you're saying it's not good to try and cancel within cooling off period and then that it's good to test it.

      I wouldn't want to risk exceeding the cooling off period, it's a 24 month contract with Onestream. Right now it sounds like it's not a risk worth taking (for the saving of about £5/month), but impossible to know how the service would be by just going by the reviews.

  • Richardr1's avatar
    Richardr1
    Fibre optic
    2 months ago

    I'd be very careful that you understood what the cooling off period is with the potential new provider - i.e. when it starts in relation to the installation date - and also you say that you have signed up to the new deal with Virgin Media which if so will stop what you want to do.

    One thing you won't be able to use is one touch switching.

    In terms of the deal with Virgin Media, you will almost certainly be offered a better deal once you have cancelled - last time I cancelled, they were on the phone the next day.

    • pawelw's avatar
      pawelw
      Tuning in
      2 months ago

      Why would signing up to VM deal stop me from trying the new provider? Since it's a different technology (cable vs part-fibre) I thought it should be possible?

      I could cancel I guess and then see what they offer, but I don't have great confidence in their sales people - when I spoke to them about renewal a few days ago, they were offering me a "deal" that was actually higher than the one in my account. When I pointed it out they said I was talking about a deal for new customers which wasn't the case. Also pushing to upgrade speeds despite me stating repeatedly that I'm happy with my current package.

      • Richardr1's avatar
        Richardr1
        Fibre optic
        2 months ago

        I didn't mean it that way around - what I meant was have you signed up with a new 24 month [or similar] contract with Virgin Media? If so won't there be large cancellation charges from Virgin Media?

        You said

         to avoid the hassle of switching, I signed up for it.

        which implied you have agreed a new deal with Virgin Media, but also:

        then decide which one to keep

        won't the former mean that you can no longer decide to cancel Virgin?

        Technically of course as you say there is no reason why you can't have two different providers not using the same connexion and if you are either out of contract or in their cooling off period cancel one if you want to.

  • Cardiffman282's avatar
    Cardiffman282
    Community elder
    2 months ago

    Be very very careful about Onestream. Think Ryanair - the headline price looks sexy but you then have a mountain of extra sneaky hidden charges and penalties. Onestream manages to make VM look honest and competent.