2. Now I receive a letter saying its going up by £15 per month - a whopping 27% increase. Way over inflation and the RPI which quite simply isn't justified.
Because what you agreed to (whether you realised or not) was a fixed discount contract. VM apply their 13.4% increase to the base price, so that it is magnified in inverse proportion to your discount. Or in English, anybody on a decent discount is hit with around double the price increase VM claim as their price rise.
3. I gather from other posts that VM can do this mid contract .
Yes, but you can renegotiate or cancel.
4. If you're signing a new contract, surely it's for peace of mind that the monthly fee guarantees the same for 18months? Otherwise what's the point?
No, that's what you thought you were getting (and maybe were missold), from VM's side of the fence the logic of the deal was 18 month lock in with £xxd off the prevailing standard prices for the full period of 18 months.
5. So does that now mean i have to renegotiate so I won't get whacked with a 27% increase? That fills me with dread as I've been trying this for 3 weeks with VM for my dad's account since he got his increase letter and now they've already taken his extra £15 as they're too slow to respond.
Yes. See this post for options.
