Dee
Unfortunately you used the term ‘loyal customer’, you might want to substitute the word ‘mug’ for that, because, I promise you that is how VM will see it!
Bottom line, there is absolutely no ‘loyalty’ on either side, VM, as a commercial entity absolutely want to screw the maximum amount of money out of you as they can for the least service, you, as a customer, naturally, want the opposite. Such is life, it’s called ‘free enterprise’.
Except you don’t have to simply roll over, now VM owe you absolutely nothing for your ‘loyalty’, and similarly you owe them nothing in return. As you say you have alternative providers, then you are in a strong negotiating position. What you need to do is call VM and give notice to cancel, ignore any entreaties to stay for some paltry discount. Make sure that you are absolutely prepared to leave VM and sign up with another provider (and you have checked what is available for you and determined a reasonable alternative, yes)?
How good are you at playing poker? Because this is what it is, VM need to absolutely believe that you are prepared to leave, which they don’t want and hence will offer a good deal. If they suspect (and I promise you that the retentions staff will be fully trained in how to spot this), that you aren’t serious, then they will offer you nothing.
There is a thread on here somewhere in which the poster states that they ‘want a better deal but can’t be bothered to change provider’. Now be honest, that’s equivalent to playing a hand of poker but turning all your cards over first for your opponent to see before any bets are made! This poster will get absolutely nothing in terms of a discount!
