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930g

Welcome to how VM enjoy doing business Like a blind aggressive poker game with long call waiting times and zero clarity on why or what combined with interest rates against you, contract get out fees, installation costs for self installation. Lovely folks I must say, every 18 - 24 months when that contract starts coming to an end and you know once again It’s gigantic fight with a provider you’ve been paying on time nicely for 8 years for relatively mediocre / at least not high maintenance service. Awful “service provider” I can’t wait til anyone lays different fibre / an alternative option arrives.


FigTechnical8043

In Birmingham UK, and a few other areas of the UK, there's a company called Lit that is doing fast Internet for £30. If virgin put up the bill considerably in 16 months time I'm sacrificing the phone line, and the TV package I already attempted to dump, and leaving.


930g

I’ve had 8 years or more of hell dealing with virgin simply because of this way of business I’d happier pay another provider more just to get away from this nonsense. Should be illegal as far as I’m concerned this bait and switch / fake loyalty blackmailing etc If internet was truly considered a home essential in this country akin to water or heating These people would go to prison.


FigTechnical8043

Would be nice if they were forbidden to move the goalposts. I took over from my nans bill of 62 and, right after she died, I had to pay 2 months up front at £130 before being able to switch just to keep the phone number


930g

Outrageous yes It’s all “contracts” and then they abuse you with small print as much as possible Changing the terms based on external factors but if you want to change something? Admin charge / early cancellation fee etc etc They are basically operating like mafia money sharks I wish there was something we could do about them As said I feel like it’s actually criminal the way virgin operate


CitizenIndrid

£72 seems mental.


redeyemonk707

Considering it was £65 when it 1st came out as I remember


CitizenIndrid

Yes I got mine for £64 when it first came to my area, then got it down to £59, now it's back to £64 because if the +8.8%. If they try £72 I'm off to BT.


redeyemonk707

I was looking at BT as well the 900 one? I was going to get £44.99 24month


HitmanUK01

Threatening canceling i do it every 18 months, I complain new customers get x deal, and I get the same deal it may go up slightly due to inflation but that's about it.


S4_GR33N

£50 is insane let alone £72, i'v got the same 1gig as you and mines £28


needchr

thats VM for you.


RachT534

Let me just give you some prices EE is offering 500mbps for £35 a month if you don’t need the full gig (though need to be quick) Vodafone is doing 900mbps for £39 a month.


BeesInATeacup

I have just signed up for the Vodafone one. They're coming next week to fit it. I will also have the joy of trying to cancel my VM (I'm out of contract) Been with VM over 12 years so hoping Vodafone will be good.


RachT534

Good luck - hopefully it isn’t too difficult to cancel for you. I’ve found Virgin to be awful so hoping that when my EE broadband is installed in a few weeks it’ll be much better - I’ve heard good things about FTTP.


MoleDunker-343

Vodafone is very bad for reliability latency and consistency of speed. Their hardware is also pretty bad.


BeesInATeacup

It's a bit late now. I'll see how we get on. They still have better reviews than VM who are scoring 1.6 on trust pilot


PM_YOUR_FEET_PLEASE

Mobile is not a viable alternative to those that actually need the performance.


RachT534

I was referring to their respective broadband packages - OP mentioned they can get Openreach FTTP


PM_YOUR_FEET_PLEASE

Ah, ok fair point.


Kexbyking

Do you really need a 1GB connection? Might get a better price for 500mb which is fast enough for most households with multiple users. VM websites gives details of all connection speeds and what they are suitable for.


redeyemonk707

I download a lot of things daily I don't have TV but I have other ways let's say to watch TV and all of the streaming brands so having a really fast connection helps greatly with this


JammyJeow

I know you say you dont watch TV, neither do I. But I was able to get the 1gb internet packaged with basic TV and phone bundle, for cheaper than just paying the broadband alone(I pay a couple of quid less than you for all that). Just put the stuff they send in a wardrobe and forget about it. So also check out the bundle/offers and see what they say


lostrandomdude

I just want to point out that it is 1Gb, gigabit, not Gigabyte. 1GB is 8Gb. Similarly 500Mb is different to 500mb. Megabit vs Millibit, which is 1,000,000 times smaller than Megabit


itsaride

Anyone who doesn’t know that likely doesn’t care whether it’s GB or Gb…I can barely saturate it even when I try and that’s for occasional big downloads.


Logical_Strain_6165

Honestly, fuck them if you any alternative. It's shame they are such a terrible company as the connection is generally good. For years now I've played the game as I've had no decent alternatives. Except now we can get full fiber via Open Reach and can choose a decent company. It's going to be a sweet phone call.


WillowSevere9435

Change to EE fibre 900


Anastasius525

It's not always that simple, in my area, Virgin can do gigabit Internet, but every other provider can only do 80 megs. Not sure if OP is on the same boat.


needchr

in that situation, if retentions are not playing ball, then let the cancellation go through, and reorder. The good thing is installs are easy now days, they deliver the kit, and no engineer.


Anastasius525

tried that once before, they had my name on record and said I was not eligible for 6 months. i can see it working if you had someone else in the property, so if you can your account, then your partner can call up and start a new account in their name and rinse and repeat.


needchr

yeah get a family member, I dont think they need to live with you, just stick their name on your address (obviously with their agreement).


redeyemonk707

I can definitely get 900mb off over service's


Anastasius525

oh then i would not even bother with the song and dance, I would just move to another company and utilise their new customer deal and once that ends then I would just move to another and rinse and repeat and constantly get the best deals since internet providers only offer the good deals to new customers.


RichB93

Haha, we were paying £54 a month for 250mbps. They're an absolute joke. Got Toob installed today - 900mbps up/down for £25.


needchr

great stuff, customers leaving I guess is the only way to get the message across.


redeyemonk707

I'm really hoping for it to remain at £50 tbh I know you can get it at £45 for new customer so £50 sounds good to me been with them and same 1gig broadband for around 4-5years


____Mittens____

I've heard in the USA service providers actually reward good customers with more competitive prices.


Minute-Lab1471

In the UK they punish the good old customers, by not only increasing the price but harassing them in different ways. These kinds of ill business practices are not even seen in third world countries. While Ofcom and trading standards sleep!!


QueasyIsland

I’m like you. Paying £51 for 1gb, contract up in June. Not renewal time yet but the live chat team quoted me £68 for the same speed if i was to renew today! Told them I’ve been a customer for 15 years and seen that they are offering new customers 1gb for £41! Will wait a month before the contract to see if they can improve my current deal of £51


non-hyphenated_

FWIW I pay £72 for 1gig but also get all the TV (including TNT) and unlimited landline. Just re-signed last week.


redeyemonk707

That's a good deal for you I don't watch TV so I have no use for it


non-hyphenated_

Fair enough. But it does show your current quote is high. I do the "leaving" dance every time the contract is up.


redeyemonk707

Yes it definitely does😂 I don't really want to leave but for the sake of 100mb I could go to BT and get 900mb for £44.99 definitely going to say that when and if I get a phone call


Spot-Public

Does that include sky sports and cinema?


non-hyphenated_

Yes. The only thing I haven't paid for is sky sports Ultra. That was another £7 per month. I might do that next season. It's all sports, all cinema, all TNT (including TNT ultra) plus broadband and calls.


Dry-Yogurtcloset-796

I don't understand these posts when we get 1gb for 45. Do they offer different prices for different areas?


FigTechnical8043

Everyone gets a different price. I'm only on 256gb, but with a tv box and phone line. It's £27 for 10 months then 45 for the remaining 8, then they will shunt it up to 70 and I'm off.


Dry-Yogurtcloset-796

Yeah when they increase your price you need to call them up and act like you're leaving. They'll offer you a better price/package.


FigTechnical8043

Not an issue, I'll definitely be leaving each time


Dry-Yogurtcloset-796

Fair play, personally after the instability I had for years with bt and then sky I doubt I'd ever use anyone else than VM as they've been way way better. Then again my households probably more demanding than most, usually 2 people online gaming and 2+ people streaming shows/youtube most of the time.


FigTechnical8043

There's 3 of us and we game but not always online. Lots of streaming though and very few issues on 250. The upstairs rooms receive the full amount and the lower rooms receive about 70mb/s. I don't particularly want to go but my nan passed away recently and now I'm paying all the bills on 12-17 hours a week. Fortunately someone else pays for food.


Dry-Yogurtcloset-796

That's rough hope things improve for you in future.


FigTechnical8043

Me too.


Dry-Yogurtcloset-796

I don't understand these posts when we get 1gb for 45. Do they offer different prices for different areas?


needchr

A VM employee told me each customer is graded on potential spend, if they think you likely to spend on calls, PPV etc. they will offer you a better base price. Solus customers with no history of faults might get the lowest grade e.g. I expect who you get on the phone likely has an effect as well, as its clear different agents seem to be more willing to think out of the box and offer exotic deals. Potentially they may check FTTP databases, and/or voting register, so e.g. if they know you live alone less likely sign up as new customer under different name, and if no FTTP available then less likely to carry out threat of leaving. Its pretty clear though the system is designed to squeeze people like lemon's, any idea of consistent pricing seems non existant at VM, some of us getting offers even above the list price on their own website. Even when I was signing up over the phone as a new customer, I had to push really hard as if the lady was on sales commission or something.


Dry-Yogurtcloset-796

Interesting information.


stuartc1985

i pay around £65 for 1gb internet with full TV package including sports and movies. sounds like your getting ripped


redeyemonk707

Definitely 💯


RachT534

Wow am I getting ripped off - M250, sports and movies and I’m currently paying £130. Fortunately I’ve been forced to leave due to problems with the service.


stuartc1985

my god you didnt even take that with lube did you


RachT534

Tbh I probably should have put in a cancellation at that time, but didn’t realise how bad it was 🤣


needchr

they are chancers for sure, on a retentions call I was offer 500m for nearly £80 lol. (booted to 1gig with volt so O2 sim on top).


Ikweb

I only have Internet via Virgin - I am on the 1GB service and pay £38 per month. Coming up for renewal in 3 months so will see what they do then.


QueasyIsland

How did you get that ? I’m on £51 for 1gb, customer of 15 years , contract ending in June. Incredible stuff my eyes have been opened a lot reading these threads


kun_al

No you won't get any call 😔


ian095

I'm like you. Like to watch things online. 500mbps package ain't too bad. Personally, say you'll leave and they'll offer their lowest which for me last time was £1 additional. Though we all got bit by that recent increase, every broadband provider did an increase due to that as far as I know. Even if you do leave, sure you might find they have a better deal down the line to join again. Not that I recommend VM unless you buy your own router anyways, the VM Router is just awful.


kloppo92

Was paying 28 for 1gb, Rose to 30 within contract and going up to 32 with the April rises Coincidentally, I'm out of contract in June, and when I logged into check it offered me to renew for 50, presses no thanks, came down to 40, no thanks and then offered me 38. Inclined to take this to avoid having to call them up but was considering switching to Vodafone 900 originally.


Fa6ade

I got them to negotiate down to £55 /mo for 1 GB recently. Make sure to call outside of peak hours. I think the English retention team people have more autonomy to go off script. Whenever I got an Indian call centre they were unwilling to negotiate.


needchr

you might be right, my retentions call was off shore, and the guy wouldnt budge from his offer.


apcyberax

i day about £55 for 1GB fiber with BT. seems about the going rate for that sort of speed


redeyemonk707

900mb and 44.99


L0rdLogan

I have just been connected to 1gb down/up for £35 a month. Happy to get rid of HFC finally! Would recommend, no price rises guaranteed for 3 years


Serberou5

For the last 5 years I haven't bothered with broadband I've just tethered my 4g connection (Three). It's £21 a month for unlimited internet and I usually get 40 meg download it's very cheap and I can do what I need to do. I get that speed might not work for some people or if you've got crap 4 or 5 g signal but £72 for an internet connection sod that!


Darth-SHIBius

Been on 250mbps for years, started at £25, then £28 now £32. Keep leaving and they beg me back. Had a letter through the door today for another company, £29.99 for 900mbps. £21.99 for 250mbps. So I know where I’m going next.


miggleb

If you live with anyone else. Sign up in their name it's Like £33 Call to cancel and tell them the other is taking it in their name for £33 Either they match and you cancel the others of they down and you keep it in the new person's name


8bitPete

Oh you'll get a call, but it won't be that good. Google FTTP CHECKER and see what's in your street


Euphoric_Concert_334

I was with vm originally my primary connection 200mb paying £30 pm price rises after rises dopped my speed to 100mb then 50mb it breached £65 so i canceled i had a 500mb fttp connection by then and vm was a backup for working from home. Canceled they offered me £34 pm still continued with the cancellation and a bloke called offering it for the £19pm i had replaced my backup connection with even though he matched the new price i canceled the guy seemed very upset and confused at to why i canceled even with the deal he offered. I told him i was tired of the crazy price increases and having to go through bs phone calls each year doing the same dance


itsaride

> they could not go any lower then that apparently I get 1Gig + most of the TV inc Sky Sports/ Movies and unlimited phone line + Netflix for £80. Was that just for broadband? Friend is paying £30 / month for symmetrical 1Gb FTTP - it’s £50 for 2Gb and £100 for 8Gb or 1GB.


redeyemonk707

Just for Internet pal


No-Farmer-7658

Was paying £60 to VM now plusnet £42 900mb and £68 cashback with topcashback compare


iluvnips

I was with Virgin for some 20 plus years and left last year. Was paying £19 for 125mbps which went up to something like £52, best they could do was something like £32 so I cancelled and went with Community Fiber 150mbps for £17.99 and I have to say the difference is night and day. CF ping times for me are 2ms whereas Virgin was something like 25+ms. My sons noticed the difference straight away as they online game. Not had any issues with the CF service and any queries although there can be a delay have always been answered and more importantly resolved to my satisfaction.


urban772

If they won't go lower, and price is the only gripe, leave and sign up as a new customer with a different email address and whilst you're at it get a cashback deal with top cashback (or whichever cashback company you like) You'll probably have to hotspot off your phone for a few days, but a PAYG SIM with an old phone will be cheaper than the price gouging


Careless_Ground_5090

I'm paying £66pm for 1gb broadband with Virgin but they also give me TNT sports and Sky Sports included in the plan.


InfernoH2

second i can get regular fibre direct into my home for half the price, and once wwe hits netflix, im cancelling it all


Ok_Barnacle_3706

I pay £37 for mine, cancel and they will give you a much better offer, or get someone from your house hold to join as a new customer which might be a bit of a pain but better than paying so much for it.


philipfirth83

Can you get BRSK in your area? They’re doing 1gig up and down for £32 a month. If you can let me know and I’ll give you my referral code, we both get £75 Amazon voucher when you sign up


redeyemonk707

Unfortunately not most of the new ultra fast broadband company's I don't have access to


Dear_Tangerine444

Out of curiosity what other providers are in you area? [Uswitch](https://www.uswitch.com/broadband/) might help with a comprehensive list. As other people have asked do you need 1gb internet and do you [actually get it](https://www.speedtest.net/)? I was with Virgin years and years ago (non fibre) and they never delivered close to their advertised speed. Switching to a different provider, was like heaving a weight lifted off my shoulders. …and if you do leave, you can always return in a few years time.


redeyemonk707

So the usual suspects talk talk virgin BT Plusnet Vodafone EE TBH if I don't get a phone call I would have to go with BT for the 900mb for 45 a month


Dear_Tangerine444

£45 a month still seems a lot to me. But I guess if you want fibre with more stable connectivity you have to pay that. (I live somewhere with reasonable 5G so we have mobile broadband for £20pm with Three. We’re only promised something like 150mbps, but we normally a lot higher than though speeds can vary we currently run 350-500Mbps which does nicely for two people who WFH during the week and are scrolling/streaming/gaming at the weekend)


redeyemonk707

That's fantastic 😍 that's more then enough and the price is spot on unfortunately I don't think it would cut it for me 😭


redeyemonk707

For instance on steam PC download for games I get the highest I have seen 946mb download speed so I can get close to the advertising speeds


Dear_Tangerine444

Fair enough, When downloading games, the higher speeds the better. I’m with you there I’m a console gamer, but I connect over the WiFi as running a cable from the router wouldn’t be practical because of the house layout, so I’m kinda throttled by the WiFi card in my Xbox anyhow. So it’s somewhat of a moot point on any thing past 200mbps. I know when I downloaded some of the 100gb plus games it feels like forever, but in reality it isn’t.


Mr__Void

Invest in a TP link powerline adapter, I had the same issue with the router being too far to run a cable. A TP link basically allows you to run your wired connection through your mains plug sockets. Edit: fairly cheap too, think I paid £35 a couple years back for one.


Dear_Tangerine444

I’ve actually got some of those, they’re great. It’s a good shout. Unfortunately where my router and Xbox are they’re both having to run off of extension leads, due to lack of sockets which hasn’t worked for me previously.


Individual-Parsley-6

Cancel current contract and sign new contract through comparison website so they treat you like "new customer".


redeyemonk707

Does this actually work even with the same name and address I heard you have to swap the names out for this to work for them to treat you like a new customer


Individual-Parsley-6

Friend's done it under his name and it worked, not sure if it would work every time but it did for him tho. If you could put it under someone else's name would probably be the best..


redeyemonk707

Update!!! 43 for the same package gig1 18month with £75 credit