Virgin Media Price Increase, Mid-Contract - Can I Cancel ??

[Gizmonster]

.... well I thought the whole point of a contract was it was a fixed term (12 months in our case) and the price was fixed throughout the term.
We took a 12 month VM contract out in Aug 2013 and have just found out that the price has gone up .... surely they've broken the terms of the contract ??
The only reason we took this particular contract out, was it was the best deal on offer at the time. What would stop companies getting you to sign up, then increasing their prices ??
Am I within my rights telling VM I can cancel if I want to (even though the contract doesn't officially end 'til Aug 2014) ??

[Old_Geezer]

I don't recall details but I think the companies are legally allowed price rises that can be attributed to inflation. Or something like that. If they raise them for other reasons you can leave without penalty.

[Gizmonster]

..... I don't think a 12.2% increase can be attributed to inflation - what do you reckon ??

[Old_Geezer]

Complain.

[Gizmonster]

I fully intend to complain, I'm just wondering where I stand (legally), if I tell them I'm going to cancel the contract, if things aren't resolved to my satisfaction ..........

[factor-fiction]

Usually in these situations if the increase is outside teh contract terms they tell you that you have the right to exit the contract without penalty. That is what has happened with my home phone provider- they have said I can leave without penalty. I would read the letter/email in full and see if it's mentioned. With social media the way it is I can't see any major comms company trying to get away with something like this

[Buenchico]

Paragraph H3:
"We and/or Virgin Media Payments may change our charges at any time. Any changes to our monthly charges will be published by us and/or Virgin Media Payments on the Virgin Media website and if the changes are significant we, and/or Virgin Media Payments will do our best to give you notice of the change(s) at least one month before the changes take effect. Any changes to usage charges and tariffs will be published on the Virgin Media website and will be reflected on your next bill after the changes take effect."

Paragraph J3:
"If we and/or Virgin Media Payments:
a) increase our charges under this agreement . . . . . .
. . . . . you may cancel those services affected without penalty by giving us and/or Virgin Media Payments (as applicable) at least 30 days' notice. Such notice must be given within 30 days of the increase in charges or changes to the services or this agreement being notified to you. If you were not notified of these changes in advance, you must give notice of cancellation of the services affected to us and/or Virgin Media Payments (as applicable) within 30 days of receipt of your first bill following such increase in charges. If you do not give notice of cancellation within the specified period, you will be deemed to have accepted the increase in charges and/or the changes to the services and this agreement. You will no longer be able to cancel your services under this paragraph. If you cancel any services in these circumstances, the increased charges will not apply to those services during the 30-day notice period and paragraph J2 will not apply if you cancel before the end of the minimum period"

[Buenchico]

Oops!

Missing link. (Yes, I've often been described as that!)
http://store.virginmedia.com/the-legal-stuff/terms-and-conditions-for-fibre-optic-services.html#paying

[thugulike]

I told them I was leaving and they offered to reduce the price for BB from £20.35 to £5. As I had no BB service I declined. I had no internet access at all. They then offered to e-mail my MAC code. Hmmm