Virgin Media Contract

[hc4361]

I have been with Virgin Media ever since they took over from Telewest - and I've been very happy with them.

I upgraded my service in December and got a Tivo box. As I understand it any change to services triggers a new 12 month contract, which means I cannot cancel or downgrade without penalty.

I got an email yesterday telling me that my monthly fee is increasing in April.

My question is, can they do that in these circumstances?

[x-ray]

I don't really know the answer, but my gut feeling is they can do whatever they like.
I too have been with Virgin Media since they took over from NTL (I still have an ntl e-mail address0
I also upgraded my service recently, so I am a bit worried that I may also face the same predicament, so I will watch this thread with interest

[ojread2]

All prices set to rise in April with VM
And yes, they can raise the price when they like
This is on the cusp of the free upgrade

[daffy654]

My Virgin Media bill actually goes down in April by about £5.00 a month. I am currently paying £80.00 for phone, TV XL and Broadband 100 mbps.

[mrsweasley]

I have to stay with them til May for Broadband, Nov for rest as did deal, I want to leave as can't afford it anymore. Been told to just stop paying, but scared they will take me to court. I joined when still Telewest

[hc4361]

Thanks all. I think I will challenge this and see where I get.

[sunny-dave]

hc4361 - look hard the full terms & conditions of your contract (probably buried on their website somewhere) - they will have reserved the right to increase the charges, but there is almost certainly an option to 'leave without penalty' provided you do so within xx days of being notified of the increase.

Any contract without this 'escape' clause tends to be regarded as overly onerous and would be difficult to justify/enforce.

[hc4361]

Hokey dokey, thanks for the info.
I'll threaten to leave. :)

[sunny-dave]

Look at section J3 here ...

http://shop.virginmed...r-cable-services.html

You appear to have 30 days in which to cancel

[hc4361]

Good ho. :)

[ojread2]

Daffy, that's what we pay for 50, hence the free upgrade soon to 100