pistonbroke Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 I recently changed my home phone line supplier over to virgin along with their HDTV package and broadband. Their service has been pretty good with only slight teething issues on the broadband side of things, but these issues were eventually rectified. 2 weeks ago however my landline phone goes dead, no dial tone, no nothing. I'm not hugely bothered as I use my mobile 99% of the time, but the wife uses the home phone to talk to her mates/mum/sister for hours on end at weekends, sometimes after having spent all day with them shopping or 'doing lunch'. Anyhoo, she started nagging me recently to do something about it so I phoned virgin today. I told them that about two weeks ago, I noticed the big green exchange box at the end of the road has the doors open on it, and it's been open ever since, no doubt kids have been messing with it and have yanked the wires out. They were pleased with the fact I had told them about it and would send an engineer out to sort it. Fine, all good I think, job done. Then, the guy on the phone says "If you're not home when the engineer calls, you'll be charged a callout fee". Hang on mate, I don't live in the green box at the end of the road, why does he need me there, and why would you charge me for it?. He goes on to say, well he has to test your line after the repairs. I reply, well, you know my home phone number, how about you phone it, if it rings, then it's working. No sir, we need you there.......Unbelievable, I'm not taking a day off work for it, if they bill me for it, I'll go mental. *rant over* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronttuk Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 lol good old virgin we had the same for a yr with then they installed tv and broadband oct 31st 2008 ten minutes after it was installed it never worked we had to wait 10 days for abn engineer to come out he changed the box it still never worked properly after 14 boxes they admitted they couldnt cure the fault so cancel it we said sorry uve got to run the full yr as per contract !! as soon as the year was up we cancelled and they are still trying to bill us !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ark Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Sorry, they charged you for a years worth of service never delivered? I don't think so! You should have cancelled the direct debit, or threatened to report them to watchdog, but there is no way you should have paid that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Sorry, they charged you for a years worth of service never delivered? I don't think so! You should have cancelled the direct debit, or threatened to report them to watchdog, but there is no way you should have paid that! Exactly. That cannot be right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ric Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 BT wholesale manage the phone networks around the UK (except hull) regardless of who the provider is. BT Wholesale will charge this callout fee to Virgin, who are passing it onto you. Ring BT or whatever you will still get the charge for the callout. Same goes for a fault which is past the master socket etc.. As for phoning it to test it? no, unplug all your phones in your house, ring the number it will still ring regardless if a phone is attached, same goes for if the line is only getting to the green box, the only way to throughly test is with the correct equipment from the master socket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Weren't they NTL before they were Virgin Media? NTL were shocking... I'm BT and Sky all the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistonbroke Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share Posted January 4, 2010 The only reason I'm with virgin, is down to money really. They have the best broadband service by far, so getting HD TV with them and the phone line saves me about £40 per month. If I get the TV service from Sky and the phone from BT, it costs too much IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Massey Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 The only reason I'm with virgin, is down to money really. They have the best broadband service by far, so getting HD TV with them and the phone line saves me about £40 per month. If I get the TV service from Sky and the phone from BT, it costs too much IMO. Why because the advert says so? I found NTL/Virgin to be utter shyte. BT were worse complete nightmare. Been with sky and have never had a problem. Internet, phone and all the channels in HD;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I like virgins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marbleapple Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I like virgins. Little boy ones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I like virgins. Dude, wrong channel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistonbroke Posted January 5, 2010 Author Share Posted January 5, 2010 Why because the advert says so? I found NTL/Virgin to be utter shyte. BT were worse complete nightmare. Been with sky and have never had a problem. Internet, phone and all the channels in HD;) Go to http://www.speedtest.net and post your results here with your connection speed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 DL: 16.84Mb/s UP: 11.32Mb/s Ping: 9ms. I cheated though, I'm at work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronttuk Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Sorry, they charged you for a years worth of service never delivered? I don't think so! You should have cancelled the direct debit, or threatened to report them to watchdog, but there is no way you should have paid that! i never said i didnt get anything lol it was always breaking up freezing etc etc you try getting out of a 1yr contract they have more loop holes in other loopholes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistonbroke Posted January 5, 2010 Author Share Posted January 5, 2010 BT will say they can offer 20mb connections, but I've yet to see anyone on their service actually get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ark Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 i never said i didnt get anything lol it was always breaking up freezing etc etc you try getting out of a 1yr contract they have more loop holes in other loopholes Easy - it's your money, just stop handing it over every month. An un-useable service is the same as no service. They may kick off about breach of contract, but it would cost them more than it would be worth to follow up on that. Either that, or write a strongly worded letter to Richard B. I guarantee he won't read it, but his personal staff will see to it that his good name doesn't get smeared, all to your gain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozz Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 i never said i didnt get anything lol it was always breaking up freezing etc etc you try getting out of a 1yr contract they have more loop holes in other loopholes Should be easy enough to get out of if the service is not as expected or to a good enough standard. I cancelled a 12 month contract with tiscali after 3 months as the service was terrible stating they were in breach of contract not providing me with the service they stated. Worked a treat, full cancellation with no fees. Always fight your corner! I'd go with SKY in a second but they don't do unrestricted in my area. With BT and to be fair its a brilliant service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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