Virgin Media Contract

[inchy]

Morning folks!

With the doomsday coming ever closer thanks to N3, I've decided to review my account with VM.

I've tried to blag a V+ box for free and tried calling their bluff by saying that I'm considering moving to Sky. They said that I cant move to Sky as I'm tied into a contract with them till September (as I upgraded to XL TV package under a loyalty discount scheme).

I asked them to provide a copy of the contract that I signed, they said it was a verbal contract over the phone. Fair enough, so I asked for a copy of that call. They cannot provide this and state that they are holding me to the contract as "they always advise of the 12mth contract". I explained that they may have advised me, but I cant recall them doing so, and that they may not have advised me as everyone makes mistakes sometimes! But they are adamant that they did advise me of this, and that their notes back them up. But just because their notes say they advised me of the contract doesnt mean they did...

What can I do? Go to Ofcom?

[red21]

Found this...................

"Many people are not aware that verbal agreements are in many cases as legally binding as written contracts. Verbal contracts can be upheld by a court if someone decides to breach the agreement, although without written terms and conditions it may be difficult to prove.


Conditions of a Verbal Agreement

Under law there are two basic terms that constitute a binding agreement. The verbal agreement will be binding if there was an agreement on the services to be performed and an agreement was reached on remuneration for this service. This agreement can be reached by a verbal exchange in person, via telephone or via an email."

IMHO tho, if they cannot provide you with a copy of the said telephone conversation you had then I would have thought that would be difficult for them to prove (in court - not that it would get that far tbh) if you decide to break the contract them say you have with them.

[Ernie_C]

I guess the real question is: "Do you really want to move to Sky?"

Looks like Virgin Media believe you are in contract until September and won't give you any 'deal' for a V+.

If you are unhappy enough with that then move to Sky and Virgin Media will charge you the appropriate Early Disconnection Fee on your contract and pursue you through debt collection if you don't pay.

[Robbo]

Wait July then, and tell them to shove it! and get Sky instead. If it wasn't for the loyalty discount I get from Virgin, I'd be off to Sky like a shot. For £35 you get medium broadband 2 mix TV and phone and includes a Sky+ HD. Better than Virgin's offerings.

[bootsboy]

Same thing happend to me.

I got them to dig the call out, they listended to it and said even though we gave you the deal the advisor did not tell you that you will be entering a new 12 month contract.

Still with virgin but not tied in.
Will decide what to do when it all goes black.

Originally Posted by inchy

Morning folks!

With the doomsday coming ever closer thanks to N3, I've decided to review my account with VM.

I've tried to blag a V+ box for free and tried calling their bluff by saying that I'm considering moving to Sky. They said that I cant move to Sky as I'm tied into a contract with them till September (as I upgraded to XL TV package under a loyalty discount scheme).

I asked them to provide a copy of the contract that I signed, they said it was a verbal contract over the phone. Fair enough, so I asked for a copy of that call. They cannot provide this and state that they are holding me to the contract as "they always advise of the 12mth contract". I explained that they may have advised me, but I cant recall them doing so, and that they may not have advised me as everyone makes mistakes sometimes! But they are adamant that they did advise me of this, and that their notes back them up. But just because their notes say they advised me of the contract doesnt mean they did...

What can I do? Go to Ofcom?

[inchy]

Cheers for the replies guys, will go to Ofcom...

[Ernie_C]

Originally Posted by inchy

Cheers for the replies guys, will go to Ofcom...

I don't think OFCOM are interested in helping with individual complaints.

Please see the attached:

Ask Ofcom - What can I do about bad customer service?

PS CISAS are the ADR for Virgin Media:

http://www.cisas.org.uk/

[scotty_dotty]

Tell them your moving and the new area does not have cable.

Not sure how it'd pan out but I doubt there's much they could do.

[Ernie_C]

Originally Posted by scotty_dotty

Tell them your moving and the new area does not have cable.

Not sure how it'd pan out but I doubt there's much they could do.

That wouldn't help! Virgin Media Ts&Cs cover that eventuality and require you to contract for their Virgin Media National product.

[scotty_dotty]

Burn the offices down and then move. Or stuff them, be a rebel, rules were meant to be broken.

Headache so excuse my gibberish.