Recent Price Increase - terms & conditions

[Big-Dave]

I got the email saying there will be a 15% price increase on 1st April 2023.
In that email it also says "changes to your terms and conditions will come into effect from 1st May 2023"
It also says I can cancel my package, before 9th March 2023.

So what will happen if I leave after 9th of March ? - will there be a cancellation fee ? Can I leave penalty free if I give 1 month notice. Will I be on a new fixed term contract from 1st May ?
In my account I have an X against contract period, so I guess that means I'm currently out of contract ? (I have been with Virgin for about 15 years)

I'm asking because it may take me longer than 30 days to organise an alternative internet provider.

[Matthew_ML]

Hey Big-Dave, thank you for reaching out and a warm welcome to the community.

We always balance our prices with the need to continue investing in our network, products and services. Like many businesses, we’re experiencing rising costs due to inflation. We are not immune to rising costs, primarily due to wider economic changes from rising inflation.
We’re seeing growing demand for data – with usage growing by more than 10% each year. Last year, we invested more than £2bn in our networks, which contributed to average broadband speeds increasing more than 40%, while helping to make sure our customers stayed connected and were able to keep using our services more and more.

So if you was looking to put your 30 day notice in you would need to do this before the 9th March, if you did it after and you are in contract you would be eligible for an early disconnection fee. Thanks 

[Big-Dave]

Thanks Matt
In my account it says

Contract Period  X

Does that mean I'm out of contract ?

[Big-Dave]

Like this

[Natalie_L]

Thank you for your reply Big-Dave. 

We would be happy to check the status of your contract for you. 

I will pop you over a private message now to take a few details and this will be available via the purple envelope on the top right of this page. 

Speak soon, 

[Natalie_L]

Hi Big-Dave, 

Thank you for joining me on private message. 

I am very happy we have been able to assist further.

Please do get in touch if you require any help or have any questions in the future. 

Thanks, 

[unisoft · Accepted solution]

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@Big-Dave wrote:

I got the email saying there will be a 15% price increase on 1st April 2023.
In that email it also says "changes to your terms and conditions will come into effect from 1st May 2023"
It also says I can cancel my package, before 9th March 2023.

So what will happen if I leave after 9th of March ? - will there be a cancellation fee ? Can I leave penalty free if I give 1 month notice. Will I be on a new fixed term contract from 1st May ?
In my account I have an X against contract period, so I guess that means I'm currently out of contract ? (I have been with Virgin for about 15 years)

I'm asking because it may take me longer than 30 days to organise an alternative internet provider.

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Under Ofcom rules you have 30 days from VM's first official notification by letter/email to exit penalty free. You can't do it longer than 30 days.

Other option to Renegotiate by using the "leaving Virgin" option on the telephone not standard customer services. You should get new customer pricing or near or sometimes even better. Be polite to VM retentions and explain what you are not happy about and the changes you want to make (you may decide your current BB speed isn't being utilised for example or want to reduce TV channels or reduce one service and add to another).

• Existing customers are cheaper than new as no free gifts (TV's Xbox Cashback as examples depending on the marketing for any given month), no need for VM to pay return postage for kit, no need to refurbish kit, no need to pay cashback to referral sites like quidco/topcashback.
• There has to be a benefit to a customer like a discount because they are being locked into an 18 month contract again
• Know your market prices for other providers Broadband, for example FTTC on NOWTV is 12 month or monthly only contact at £22. If you just want broadband only its going to easier than someone who wants landline and TV
• Consider whether you need a lock in contract for TV services. Does VM's STREAM box offer the channels you want (its Freeview part is free) and can you go without recording facility and just use catch up players or have another device that does recording off Freeview (aerial) for example? Stream's Sky subscriptions channels is only £8 per month and a 30 day notice contract. You also get 10% back on many subscriptions like Netflix, Disney etc.
• Ofcom rules mean you can currently exit your contract without penalty, as long as you do this within 30 days of being notified by VM; wait 3 months and be classed as a new customer and get new customer offers. Alternatively, many people on here sign up the next day in their partner's name.
• Be prepared to give 30 days notice if the result isn't what you want, this gives you time to arrange BB installation by someone else and you can ring back in to cancel the cancel if you change your mind. During this time you **may** get a call from 2nd level retentions with a better offer. It's not guaranteed and they won't if you have marketing disabled in My Virgin Media under My Profile.
• Despite annual price rises at ridiculous rates, new customer offers have been static for years (like Ultimate package hovers around £79-£85 often and sometimes with cashback or free gifts like a TV as just one example)