UPC Raising their Prices on 4th Jan Again!!!!

ooter

Mountjoy Mugger wrote: »

There's an article in yesterday's Irish Times which touches on this. It makes for rather interesting reading, if you can make sense of it..

i've just got off the phone to upc,i'm on the 8 meg broadband paying 25 euro per month and wanted to upgrade to the 34 euro package cos i didn't see the point in paying an extra 7 euro for what i'm already getting when i can get faster broadband and download allowance for 2 euro more.
anyway,the girl mention that article in the irish times and confirmed that i wont be paying an extra 7 euro,i'll continue to pay 25 euro and will now be on 10 meg broadband.
happy enough with that...

Idunno

Yep.Same story. They called me back and said I would remain at 25 euro/month but would move from 8mb to 10 MB.
When I asked what the Jan 4th price notice on the website was referring to they said it as for customers on older technology?

They've removed the 8Mb price increase from the website notice.

Nollog

Does that mean the 30 days notice period has reverted to today?

I mean they've changed their purposed terms, so we should have 30 days from this new change to decide if we want to keep our contracts or not, even if we're unaffected.

cast_iron

dub45 wrote: »

Comreg are disgraceful for standing back and not requiring companies to abide by their own terms and conditions.

Whilst I agree the lack of notification is shameful on UPC's part, they are not changing the "Terms and Conditions".
The prices themselves are not contained in the T&Cs, but are referred to in them, and point you to their "Price List", which the T&Cs state may change from time to time.

dub45

cast_iron wrote: »

Whilst I agree the lack of notification is shameful on UPC's part, they are not changing the "Terms and Conditions".
The prices themselves are not contained in the T&Cs, but are referred to in them, and point you to their "Price List", which the T&Cs state may change from time to time.

I dont agree with your interpretation. The price a customer is charged is surely the most fundamental part of any contract.

And that price list doesnt exist. Can you find it on their site?

6.2 Late Fees: If you do not make your payments on time we may withdraw any
discount we may have given to you for payment in advance or for any other reason and
we may also charge you a Late Fee as per the Price List.
6.3 Other Charges. We may also charge you for the following, in advance or otherwise,
where applicable, including but not limited to: Connection Charges, Initial Payment
Charges, Usage Charges, Access Charges, Cancellation Charges, Paper Bill Fee,
Itemization Fee and other Miscellaneous Charges. If you want to change any of the
Services agreed to, we may charge you a reasonable administration fee. Any such fees
will appear in the Price List or in the other documentation that we provide to you. To
the extent permissible by law, we may charge you a fee for not using a particular

Can you find a "price list" where those charges appear?
I have asked them to point me to where it can be found several times and I have been told various things which were not the truth to put it kindly:rolleyes:

cast_iron

cast_iron wrote: »

Whilst I agree the lack of notification is shameful on UPC's part, they are not changing the "Terms and Conditions".
The prices themselves are not contained in the T&Cs, but are referred to in them, and point you to their "Price List", which the T&Cs state may change from time to time.

I don't know how Sky handle price increases nowadays but I remember with the analogue service they sent letters with the Sky TV Guide explaining any price increase. The letter also stated that any subscribers who were still in contract would remain on the old pricing until their contract expired. So they obviously believed a price change did constitute a change in the contract.

Groinshot

/\/ollog wrote: »

Does that mean the 30 days notice period has reverted to today?

I mean they've changed their purposed terms, so we should have 30 days from this new change to decide if we want to keep our contracts or not, even if we're unaffected.

(for those customers who subscribe to UPC Broadband Light this 30 day period applies from 21 December 2010)

Think thats what it is,. not sure, its down the bottom of the page

cast_iron

dub45 wrote: »

Can you find a "price list" where those charges appear? to put it kindly:rolleyes:

They define what the Price List is in the T&Cs:

“Price List” means the material published by us from time to time, including but not
limited to in advertisements, on our websites or in other documentation provided to you,
which includes the prices and rates for the Services and Equipment we offer including
the usage rates for the Services;

So the defn is quite broad. To me they have this one well covered. The 30 days notice applies to the T&Cs, nothing else.

I sound like I'm defending them:pac:, however I'm in full agreement that they are a shower of chancers as regards this price increase.
Edit: I think Sky still do it the same way as before - how it should be done!

dub45

cast_iron wrote: »

They define what the Price List is in the T&Cs:
So the defn is quite broad. To me they have this one well covered. The 30 days notice applies to the T&Cs, nothing else.

I sound like I'm defending them:pac:, however I'm in full agreement that they are a shower of chancers as regards this price increase.
Edit: I think Sky still do it the same way as before - how it should be done!

Yes but the price of a service is a fundamental part of the Terms and Conditions.

Can anyone show where there is a price list which tells a customer what the Late fee is for example? Or where they tell a customer that if you miss a direct debit they charge you 11.50 thereby generating a whole lot of handy money for themselves?:mad:

And as regards the shower of chancers - its not just in relation to this price increase.

cast_iron

dub45 wrote: »

Yes but the price of a service is a fundamental part of the Terms and Conditions.

No it's not. It may be a fundamental part of whatever constitutes the contract, but the prices are not part of UPC's T&C's.

dub45 wrote: »

Can anyone show where there is a price list which tells a customer what the Late fee is for example? Or where they tell a customer that if you miss a direct debit they charge you 11.50 thereby generating a whole lot of handy money for themselves?:mad:

If it's on their website somewhere, then that means it's in their price list, as they define prices anywhere on the site as part of that list (see the defn). It's too late for me to go looking now.

dub45

cast_iron wrote: »

No it's not. It may be a fundamental part of whatever constitutes the contract, but the prices are not part of UPC's T&C's.

If it's on their website somewhere, then that means it's in their price list, as they define prices anywhere on the site as part of that list (see the defn). It's too late for me to go looking now.

I wish you the best of luck in finding it!

rebeve

UPC tried to pull a fast one .Problem is , they are the best isp by a mile . So if you move you will def pay more for a poorer service.Only in Ireland .

dub45

rebeve wrote: »

UPC tried to pull a fast one

This is by no means the first time they have done this. As recently as September they changed their terms and conditions.

And it was the same last year with price increases.

rebeve wrote: »

Problem is , they are the best isp by a mile . So if you move you will def pay more for a poorer service.Only in Ireland .

They have great products - there is no need for them to behave in this way.

Great products and integrity would be an unbeatable combination.

Sadly as they increase their dominance an improvement on the integrity front becomes even less likely because they know they can do as they wish.

Postit

Is anyone really that surprised about this? This is a company that has been regularly pulling these kinds of stunts for years and years. Simply changing their name from NTL and paying Craig Doyle to tell us all how great they are isn't enough.

I got rid of them on principle about 18 months ago and have been using rabbits ears for TV since (can't get Sky). I couldn't abide their three times a year increases, holding for over an hour for customer service, snotty staff, sneaky T&C's, endless direct mail marketing, and constant direct debit problems.

My advice is to get one of those freeview boxes and boycott this joke of a company.

82dgolf

Karsini wrote: »

They've removed the 8Mb price increase from the website notice.

They have clearly done a u-turn on the 8Mb

The Irish Times - Let me be clear about one point, a spokeswoman said. There is no price increase of €7. The Fibre Power Broadband 8mb customers currently paying €25 will be going to 10mb for €25 (no price increase).

Let me be clear you had every intention of a €7 price increase.


UPC Website-Customers Terms and Conditions
12. Cancellation Rights
You may cancel the Services at any time, and the minimum period obligations contained
in Paragraph 3 will not apply, in the following circumstances:
(i) if we change the Terms and Conditions as per Section 16 you may
terminate this Agreement in accordance with that section;

16. Changing the Terms and Conditions
We retain the right to amend, modify or substitute these Terms and Conditions at any
time and we will notify you in writing 30 days in advance of doing so. Any such modification, amendment or substitution shall also be posted on our website at www.upc.ie. You have the right to withdraw from this Agreement without penalty if you do not accept the modification,
amendment or substitution. If you do not object to the modification, amendment or substitution by giving notice to us within 30 days, the new
Terms and Conditions shall then become applicable to you.

I am still waiting for this in writing, No problems getting the bill in the door.

NullZer0

I asked @weareupc on twitter if they will be contacting all customers individually and got the following response:

"Each customer will receive a note w their bill advising of the changes that will affect them. Hope that answers your question"

dub45

iRock wrote: »

I asked @weareupc on twitter if they will be contacting all customers individually and got the following response:

"Each customer will receive a note w their bill advising of the changes that will affect them. Hope that answers your question"

Any such notice will be a clear breach of their terms and conditions in relation to the 30 days notice.

How about asking them when they will start complying with their own terms and conditions?

Maybe they will tweet the next increase.

NullZer0

Dub45 - correct.

Does anyone else have a faster speed than they are paying for?
I'm on 15meg and getting 20meg since last night according to speedtest.net

NullZer0

Something not right here alright -



Guessing Speedtest.net is on the fritz

dub45

Postit wrote: »

Is anyone really that surprised about this? This is a company that has been regularly pulling these kinds of stunts for years and years. Simply changing their name from NTL and paying Craig Doyle to tell us all how great they are isn't enough.

I got rid of them on principle about 18 months ago and have been using rabbits ears for TV since (can't get Sky). I couldn't abide their three times a year increases, holding for over an hour for customer service, snotty staff, sneaky T&C's, endless direct mail marketing, and constant direct debit problems.

My advice is to get one of those freeview boxes and boycott this joke of a company.

This increase will give them millions next year ~ even averaging only one euro extra per customer will give them over 8m extra. And they cannot afford to communicate with customers?

Groinshot

82dgolf wrote: »

They have clearly done a u-turn on the 8Mb

The Irish Times - Let me be clear about one point, a spokeswoman said. There is no price increase of €7. The Fibre Power Broadband 8mb customers currently paying €25 will be going to 10mb for €25 (no price increase).

Let me be clear you had every intention of a €7 price increase.


UPC Website-Customers Terms and Conditions
12. Cancellation Rights
You may cancel the Services at any time, and the minimum period obligations contained
in Paragraph 3 will not apply, in the following circumstances:
(i) if we change the Terms and Conditions as per Section 16 you may
terminate this Agreement in accordance with that section;

16. Changing the Terms and Conditions
We retain the right to amend, modify or substitute these Terms and Conditions at any
time and we will notify you in writing 30 days in advance of doing so. Any such modification, amendment or substitution shall also be posted on our website at www.upc.ie. You have the right to withdraw from this Agreement without penalty if you do not accept the modification,
amendment or substitution. If you do not object to the modification, amendment or substitution by giving notice to us within 30 days, the new
Terms and Conditions shall then become applicable to you.

I am still waiting for this in writing, No problems getting the bill in the door.

They'll notify us if they're changing their terms and conditions, not our prices.

dub45

Groinshot wrote: »

They'll notify us if they're changing their terms and conditions, not our prices.

There is noting more fundamental to Terms and Conditions than the price one pays for a good or service. Try contacting them and telling them that you are decreasing the amount you pay them per month and they will tell you very quickly that you are in breach of your Terms and Condtions.

And even if you go along with your narrow view it is simply not true.

They changed their Terms and Condtions in September last - were you informed?


They recently made a change to the Acceptable User Policy when they inserted the caps for the so called unlimited products? Were you informed?

Nollog

dub45 wrote: »

This increase will give them millions next year ~ even averaging only one euro extra per customer will give them over 8m extra. And they cannot afford to communicate with customers?

UPC have 8 million customers?
I thought it was around the 600k mark.

dub45

/\/ollog wrote: »

UPC have 8 million customers?
I thought it was around the 600k mark.

UPC have over 700,000 customers.

From the Irish Times 4th November

The cable operator had a total of 762,700 subscribers by the end of the quarter,

.

Now lets be conservative and say they get a euro extra per month on average per subscriber and lets leave it at 700,000 customers.

So 700,000 euros per month thats over €8m per year no?

rebeve

dub45 wrote: »

This is by no means the first time they have done this. As recently as September they changed their terms and conditions.

And it was the same last year with price increases.




They have great products - there is no need for them to behave in this way.

Great products and integrity would be an unbeatable combination.

Sadly as they increase their dominance an improvement on the integrity front becomes even less likely because they know they can do as they wish.

Very well put .

Kristopherus

Well, I rang them on Tuesday afternoon re the TV price increase. Last Friday I got a begging letter from Sky to go back to them for half price until Dec 2011. Told the CS agent about that offer. She was extremely nice and told me I should talk to "Retentions". They were closed at the time. She said she would ask them to ring me next day. No call came yesterday or today so I rang them again. I got my bill for period 21/12/10 to 20/02/11 and there was no increase on it. The CS agent told me the increase would be applied in my next bill and the arrears due from 4th Jan would be included.I then asked for "Retentions" and got talking to a fella who by then knew what my query was. Told me :
1 The info re the new charges given to me by the previous CS agent was incorrect.
2 I could not cancel in my first year penalty free. They would charge me €100 if I cancelled. I disputed this with him to no avail.
3 There would be no increase for me as I was a MMDS customer and as these customers could not get the same range of programmes as the equivalent cable customers the increases from 4th Jan. do not apply. He advised me to come back to him personally if there was an increase to my bill in February.

I really do wish UPC would have emailed their clients with a simple explanation of how the customer would be affected. Even Sky did that with a mailout included with the monthly mag.

icdg

Hmm, their website now seems to imply that new customers can only get their packs with Digital+HD. That doesn't seem to be actually the case, you can still order the non-PVR SD packs in their "Made to Measure" section, but it does have the side effect of making their prices for customers who neither want a PVR nor HD look more expensive than they actually are.

Infoanon

icdg wrote: »

Hmm, their website now seems to imply that new customers can only get their packs with Digital+HD.

I can understand them pushing subscibers towards HD but HD is not available to all viewers.

I don't the exact % but I do know that many areas of Dublin cannot get HD from UPC

There is also the issue if they start pushing subscribers to HD, Sky will win hands down.

Also heard that Sky have been offering very good details to former subscibers to switch back from UPC.

Now back to working out my new UPC charge.........

82dgolf

Just more greeeedddddyyyy Fat Cats of this Country.:mad: