Virgin Media Charge More for Existing customers!!!

[Mr Burns]

I have been with Virgin media for years (ex NTL) and have noticed in the past month or so that my 4mb package speed as gone down to 500k.

After paying 50p a minute I was told that it was because I am using a USB connection, and true enough using the ethernet cable, the speed has gone back up to 4mb. It's because the drivers for the usb's are "Dropping off" which is why it slowed down. (I'll take there word for that, but fail to see how its my fault)

But looking around their site I noticed I pay the £25 a month Broadband Size: L - The Legal Stuff - Fast 4mb broadband, 11.50, no download limits for 4mb broadband (by BT exchange is miles away so the fastest i can get elsewhere is 512k)

But the price they quote new customers is £16 a month Halfprice Broadband - Broadband Size: L after the cheap introductory months?

Is a company allowed to do this? Anyone had any experience of this before, and what you are entitled to, or what they do if you have a good old fashion moan up! I have a phone call to make tomorrow and I feel sorry for the poor sod who pick up the phone!! Or should I just get out my "Mug" or "Tosser" cap to wear tomorrow?

 

[fosters headband]

Tell them you have received a cheaper offer from Sky. They will ask how much Sky were going to supply your package. Then they will try to beat the Sky price.
Give it a go.

 

[clapham_gull]

Perfectly Legal I think - Price Discrimination I think it's called.

Credit card companies have been doing it for years.

 

[John Byrne]

I have been with Virgin media for years (ex NTL) and have noticed in the past month or so that my 4mb package speed as gone down to 500k.

After paying 50p a minute I was told that it was because I am using a USB connection, and true enough using the ethernet cable, the speed has gone back up to 4mb. It's because the drivers for the usb's are "Dropping off" which is why it slowed down. (I'll take there word for that, but fail to see how its my fault)

But looking around their site I noticed I pay the £25 a month Broadband Size: L - The Legal Stuff - Fast 4mb broadband, 11.50, no download limits for 4mb broadband (by BT exchange is miles away so the fastest i can get elsewhere is 512k)

But the price they quote new customers is £16 a month Halfprice Broadband - Broadband Size: L after the cheap introductory months?

Is a company allowed to do this? Anyone had any experience of this before, and what you are entitled to, or what they do if you have a good old fashion moan up! I have a phone call to make tomorrow and I feel sorry for the poor sod who pick up the phone!! Or should I just get out my "Mug" or "Tosser" cap to wear tomorrow?

In exactly the same situation...would be interested to see how your call went!

 

[ali jenkins]

Im assuming that you agreed a price on a contract when you signed up so they can charge you that amount for aslong as the contract runs for.

 

[Cadiz Seagull]

Yes, perfectly legal to charge lower prices for new customers although companies need to be careful how they go about it so they don't piss off existing customers.

It's one of the (many) things we talk about in the pricing seminars we've been running for the last 30 years!

 

[1066gull]

At home we've been treated similar with BT because the exchange is so far way and crosses with to other exchanges

Funny that, we sit at a point of and end of three differnet exchanges and neither can offer reliable broadband

 

[Herne Hill Seagull]

Anyone see the letter in today's Independent from a disaffected Virgin Media customer? Enlightening stuff. Given that my Virgin broadband connection is getting slower and slower lately, I think I'm going to give them the elbow shortly too.

Anybody have any experience of Tiscali's broadband? 8mb for £10ish per month seems a bit too good to be true...

 

[Badger]

But the price they quote new customers is £16 a month Halfprice Broadband - Broadband Size: L after the cheap introductory months?

I just signed up to Virgin with the Broadband L package and I'm pretty sure you only get the £16 a month deal if you sign up for phone at the same time (for £11 a month). I tried taking the phone part off the order and the price went up to £25 for just broadband