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JBR
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JBR is offline
Cheshire, UK
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31-05-2021, 10:22 AM
1

Virgin Media

Virgin Media is becoming even worse!

Not only do they charge more than anyone else - over £40 a month, their customer service is terrible.
I have written to them three times now asking if I (as a long standing customer) might ask for a reduction of download speed from 100Mbs to 50Mbs with a reduction of fee. I am still awaiting a response.

In addition to those things, they now appear to have removed their email service, or at least I receive the constant message, "Your email is not at present available".
Fortunately, I stopped using VM email several months ago and now use Gmail.

We're now really considering leaving VM. The only concern is that we have two laptops, a Fire Stick, a VOIP telephone and three external security cameras, all needing an internet connection although, of course, not all necessarily at the same time.
I'm not sure whether the advertised standard 11Mbs will suffice.

It's not only the speed which I'm not sure about, I'm quite annoyed with VM's poor customer service and the cost for such a poor service. They don't deserve our custom.
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31-05-2021, 10:27 AM
2

Re: Virgin Media

I just checked my BT speeds...Download 13.56mpbs. Upload 0.92mbs Not fibre, I might add...
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Tedc
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31-05-2021, 10:34 AM
3

Re: Virgin Media

Originally Posted by JBR ->
Virgin Media is becoming even worse!

Not only do they charge more than anyone else - over £40 a month, their customer service is terrible.
I have written to them three times now asking if I (as a long standing customer) might ask for a reduction of download speed from 100Mbs to 50Mbs with a reduction of fee. I am still awaiting a response.

In addition to those things, they now appear to have removed their email service, or at least I receive the constant message, "Your email is not at present available".
Fortunately, I stopped using VM email several months ago and now use Gmail.

We're now really considering leaving VM. The only concern is that we have two laptops, a Fire Stick, a VOIP telephone and three external security cameras, all needing an internet connection although, of course, not all necessarily at the same time.
I'm not sure whether the advertised standard 11Mbs will suffice.

It's not only the speed which I'm not sure about, I'm quite annoyed with VM's poor customer service and the cost for such a poor service. They don't deserve our custom.
JBR,

You might like to try the standard approach, to Virgin Media, which seems to work for most people.

1) Telephone them ( not email) and say that you are, seriously, considering leaving then ,sadly, as the rise of other Internet suppliers seems to make them more cost effective.(Note, they will know if there are no competing companies in your area!)

2) They may call your bluff or switch you to their "negotiating" person.

3) If they call your bluff, you may be "out".

4) Normally, and I have done this quite a few times, their negotiating man comes up with a special deal based on fiddling with the speed levels/phone usage, or whatever, and finds a 20% discount deal - for a year or so.

Just be firm that you are unhappy, but don't press the "I'm leaving button, too soon.

I think they are happy that most customers don't bother to do this!

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31-05-2021, 11:07 AM
4

Re: Virgin Media

They finished with me a few years ago JB, they were shedding all of their customers who don't have a high speed fibre connection.... They said I would automatically be transferred to 'Talk Talk' I said 'Not on your nelly' and moved to BT, the best thing I ever did. It caused me loads of problems because my emails were with Virgin and the bank and pension provider didn't believe me....

Anyway, now my emails are with Gmail like you, and it's all settled down...... My bank has just been taken over by Virgin Money......here we go again....
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31-05-2021, 12:31 PM
5

Re: Virgin Media

Originally Posted by Tedc ->
JBR,

You might like to try the standard approach, to Virgin Media, which seems to work for most people.

1) Telephone them ( not email) and say that you are, seriously, considering leaving then ,sadly, as the rise of other Internet suppliers seems to make them more cost effective.(Note, they will know if there are no competing companies in your area!)

2) They may call your bluff or switch you to their "negotiating" person.

3) If they call your bluff, you may be "out".

4) Normally, and I have done this quite a few times, their negotiating man comes up with a special deal based on fiddling with the speed levels/phone usage, or whatever, and finds a 20% discount deal - for a year or so.

Just be firm that you are unhappy, but don't press the "I'm leaving button, too soon.

I think they are happy that most customers don't bother to do this!

Thanks.
My first step will be to investigate what is available and whether the standard non-fibre speeds would be sufficient for our needs.

I shall then have a word with VM as you suggest.

An alternative option would be to pay for the installation of a telephone line (£50, I think) and a year's supply from a highly rated non-fibre supplier to see whether we really need VM's fibre supply. I could disable the VM supply temporarily whilst testing the situation.

If everything works reasonably well, it would give me the greatest pleasure to leave VM, because they really don't deserve my custom.
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JBR
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JBR is offline
Cheshire, UK
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31-05-2021, 12:32 PM
6

Re: Virgin Media

Originally Posted by OldGreyFox ->
They finished with me a few years ago JB, they were shedding all of their customers who don't have a high speed fibre connection.... They said I would automatically be transferred to 'Talk Talk' I said 'Not on your nelly' and moved to BT, the best thing I ever did. It caused me loads of problems because my emails were with Virgin and the bank and pension provider didn't believe me....

Anyway, now my emails are with Gmail like you, and it's all settled down...... My bank has just been taken over by Virgin Money......here we go again....
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JBR
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JBR is offline
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31-05-2021, 12:37 PM
7

Re: Virgin Media

What I'd like to find out, and I hope people don't mind my asking on here, is what items other people on non-fibre connections find they can use without any problems.

As I said earlier, we have two laptops (often both in use at the same time), a Fire Stick (again, often in use at the same time as the laptops), a VOIP telephone (though if we ditched VM, we'd have a normal telephone along with the internet connection), and three security cameras (though these might not be needed whilst we're using laptops and the telly).
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mart
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31-05-2021, 03:04 PM
8

Re: Virgin Media

I think all ISP call/help centres can get their share of complaints about poor service. I've had my times with VM but persistence has paid off. Other service provider grumbles can be found.

The speed offered by VM fibre optic cable and co-ax can't be matched in most places at present. I'd have to be very upset with VM to change because no other company can offer the same broadband speeds around here at present. It's been pretty reliable all in all.
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Harbal
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31-05-2021, 07:58 PM
9

Re: Virgin Media

Originally Posted by OldGreyFox ->
My bank has just been taken over by Virgin Money
So has mine, Foxy.

I first opened an account with Yorkshire Bank when I was in short trousers. I have thought about switching to another bank, but I no longer have any short trousers.
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JBR
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JBR is offline
Cheshire, UK
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31-05-2021, 08:10 PM
10

Re: Virgin Media

Originally Posted by Harbal ->
So has mine, Foxy.

I first opened an account with Yorkshire Bank when I was in short trousers. I have thought about switching to another bank, but I no longer have any short trousers.
My first bank account was with Barclays. I remember in the olden days, when cash machines first appeared, they issued me with a small book of leaflets which I could use to withdraw cash - limited in number and limited in amounts.

I then went to Yorkshire Bank, simply because I'm a Yorkshireman!

Now with First Direct because they're the best!
 
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