UPC Digital+ package do I need to switch to direct debit?

Snake Plisken

Hi I'm an old Ntl customer do don't pay any charge for not paying direct debit I just got the 100meg broadband and phone for 50.50 and I'm paying 25 for analog but see the basic digital+ is cheaper rang sales and the said I could get digital+max with the package for 81 a month but I rang today and they said to get this I would have to pay direct debit which I don't want to do anyone any experience of this?

Kristopherus

All new contracts taken out with UPC entail paying by DD. And UPC are'nt the only ones. Virtually all service & utility providers now demand payment by DD. If you decide not to, you will be penalised.

zg3409

Snake Plisken wrote: »

Hi I'm an old Ntl customer do don't pay any charge for not paying direct debit I just got the 100meg broadband and phone for 50.50 and I'm paying 25 for analog but see the basic digital+ is cheaper rang sales and the said I could get digital+max with the package for 81 a month but I rang today and they said to get this I would have to pay direct debit which I don't want to do anyone any experience of this?

It doesn't answer your question but digital VALUE is cheaper than digital +. You get the small grey box which does not record. It works out a few euro per month cheaper than analogue.

By the way if you cancel TV totally, then you pay 8 euro or so surcharge, and there is no way for them to turn off the analogue signal and still provide broadband.

coylemj

zg3409 wrote: »

It doesn't answer your question but digital VALUE is cheaper than digital +. You get the small grey box which does not record. It works out a few euro per month cheaper than analogue.

The '+' refers to the ability to record so you get a box with a hard drive, it has nothing to do with the channel package.

What UPC is now offering as a starter TV package is a choice between Digital Value+, Digital Select Extra+ and Digital Max+ so it looks like your first digital box has to be a recording model.

For subsequent boxes ('multiroom') in the same household you can select Digital or Digital+ or Digital+ HD and you'll get the same selection of channels you have on the primary box.

zg3409

coylemj wrote: »

The '+' refers to the ability to record so you get a box with a hard drive, it has nothing to do with the channel package.

What UPC is now offering as a starter TV package is a choice between Digital Value+, Digital Select Extra+ and Digital Max+ so it looks like your first digital box has to be a recording model.

For subsequent boxes ('multiroom') in the same household you can select Digital or Digital+ or Digital+ HD and you'll get the same selection of channels you have on the primary box.

You are able to get packages not advertised on the site. I switched from Analogue to Digital value (with no plus) a few years back. Even then it was not available on the website. It is possible to order, by phone, combinations not available online. I even argued I should get the online discount, as what I wanted could not be ordered online and they agreed.

In the recession everything is negotiable, remember Saorview and Freesat are free per month. UPC should be glad to get paid even if not direct debit. With digital they can disable the card remotely so if you miss one payment you get cut off.

coylemj

zg3409 wrote: »

You are able to get packages not advertised on the site.

Fair enough but what I said about the '+' symbol stands, it has nothing to do with the channel package, it only refers to the fact that the box has a hard drive and can record.

You said...

zg3409 wrote: »

It doesn't answer your question but digital VALUE is cheaper than digital +.

In fact digital+ is not a channel package so the comparison is not valid. I think what you meant to say is that he should go for digital value instead of digital value+.

Snake Plisken

Thanks for the info Lads so if i ring up and ask about the Digital value box they should be able to give that to me is it the same line up channel wise as the analog or do u get a few more channels?

coylemj

Digital Value Channels......

Snake Plisken

Lads was thinking there about just getting combo Saorview/Sat box and ditching the Analog TV, will they try and hit me with a standalone charge? I will be keeping the broadband and phone package.

zg3409

If u keep broadband and phone then there is no extra charge for dropping TV as far as I know (per month). However they may charge you a downgrade charge, and if you are with them less than a year then you have problems.

Depending on where you live you should still get 17 analogue channels if u drop the TV service.

Another thing worth considering is if you threaten to leave they will try to do a deal, and even after you leave they will keep ringing you offering deals.

They HATE to lose a customer, as the cost to them is basically nothing.

Snake Plisken

zg3409 wrote: »

If u keep broadband and phone then there is no extra charge for dropping TV as far as I know (per month). However they may charge you a downgrade charge, and if you are with them less than a year then you have problems.

Depending on where you live you should still get 17 analogue channels if u drop the TV service.

Another thing worth considering is if you threaten to leave they will try to do a deal, and even after you leave they will keep ringing you offering deals.

They HATE to lose a customer, as the cost to them is basically nothing.

sure that's what I've been paying for all alongside is the analog service never had digital