UPC raising Prices from August 1st [Merged]

whogivesashlt

Just got a letter informing me that if I don't go the direct debit route by August I'll have to pay an admin fee of €3.85. I don't pay anything through direct debit and don't plan on starting now, I've never been in arrears, surely they can't just do this? does anyone have anymore info regarding this and how to tackle it.
Thanks

califano

afaik there has always been an admin free for non direct debit payments as a punishment of sorts for not paying via direct debit. Don't think there is any way to tackle it. If you have never missed a payment then all the more reason to go direct debit to avoid the charge?.

whogivesashlt

rounders123 wrote: »

If you have never missed a payment then all the more reason to go direct debit to avoid the charge?.

Thanks for the feedback and as a last resort I will do the DD. It's just I've never had a DD before and just feel a little uncomfortable with it.

califano

whogivesashlt wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback and as a last resort I will do the DD. It's just I've never had a DD before and just feel a little uncomfortable with it.

And you can organise it in a way to select the date of payment each month that suits you most.

Flip Flop

whogivesashlt wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback and as a last resort I will do the DD. It's just I've never had a DD before and just feel a little uncomfortable with it.

Trust me. You've nothing to worry about. I pay most of my bills via Direct Debit and I've never had a problem about payments with any of my suppliers.

jeckle

This started about five or six years ago (I think it was back in the NTL/Chorus days). Anyway they tried to introduce a non-dd charge to all customers, but as a result of media outrage, Dáil debates, consumer agency complaints, Joe Duffy etc they backed down & instead introduced the non-dd charge for any new customers or existing customers who ordered new or additional services.

So, if the letter the OP got is anything to go by they must be trying to introduce it again to pre 2006 customers, though I'd say most of these people have been caught by it in recent years anyway by upgrading to digital tv or adding broadband/phone.

monkeypants

Try manual online payments straight to them. I always tried to find out why there'd be a charge levied on payments direct to their account, but could never get an answer.

ted1

monkeypants wrote: »

Try manual online payments straight to them. I always tried to find out why there'd be a charge levied on payments direct to their account, but could never get an answer.

Because you may forget to pay it. By having a dd in place there nearly guranteed to get it.

whogivesashlt

Thanks monkeypants, that's exactly how I pay them.

djimi

Flip Flop wrote: »

Trust me. You've nothing to worry about. I pay most of my bills via Direct Debit and I've never had a problem about payments with any of my suppliers.

I have to say Im inclined to disagree. I pay my bills by DD and recently my mobile company made an error on my bill which saw them take €200 extra out of my account which left me in a very difficult position that month. 6 weeks later and I still havent gotten the money back. Needless to say they wont be allowed near my bank details again...

DD is great and handy when it works but I can definately understand why someone wouldnt trust it.

MHP

I got the same letter and I'm not happy. Even though I changed or upgraded my package several times over the years, the non-DD surcharge was never added to the bill. I'll have to have a word with the UPC account dept.

zg3409

Freephone UPC and voice your anger. Threathen to leave etc. This is basically a price increase for you in the middle of a recession. They seem to be trying to bully people.

AnimalRights

I pay this charge with 3 my mobile phone company. :mad:

mackersdublin

Just found this on their homepage (bottom right)

http://www.upc.ie/television/Price_changes%28August_1st%29/

coylemj

43c increase in Digital Max+ monthly charge :eek:

Kristopherus

I used the Online Chat facility to talk with a CS agent. She could'nt tell me if the On-Demand service will be available to mmds customers:rolleyes:

Koloman

Any idea if the analogue price is going up?

gerryo

Kristopherus wrote: »

I used the Online Chat facility to talk with a CS agent. She could'nt tell me if the On-Demand service will be available to mmds customers:rolleyes:

I doubt it will be available - how will you be able to signal back to UPC "HQ" what you want to watch

MMDS has always been a "receive-only" system, there is no way to tell UPC
what you want to watch, you can only select from the available channels.

tomkav79

They're raising their prices and they still haven't given me the upgrade from 20mb to 25mb?!! Pain in me b****x with that company!!

forzacalcio

I assume we can all get out of contract then?

Crystalset

If I were allowed to put a dish on my balcony I would buy a Freesat box.
I get Saorview ok on an indoor aerial but I like UK drama choice & BBC News, so I'm stuck with paying the cable company.

jack presley

Are they writing to customers to let them know these changes? If so, along with the household charge letter, I'll have 2 pieces of post at home that will depress me

Koloman

A bit more about the price increase on Matt Cooper earlier today.

Click Wednesday, part 2. Around 29 minutes in.

http://media.todayfm.com/listenback/98/wednesday/1/popup

who_me

djimi wrote: »

I have to say Im inclined to disagree. I pay my bills by DD and recently my mobile company made an error on my bill which saw them take €200 extra out of my account which left me in a very difficult position that month. 6 weeks later and I still havent gotten the money back. Needless to say they wont be allowed near my bank details again...

DD is great and handy when it works but I can definately understand why someone wouldnt trust it.

Might be too late in your case, but read here.

You're entitled to go to your bank and request a refund "of any variable direct debit which exceeded the amount which you could reasonably have expected, subject to you so requesting your bank within a period of 8 weeks from the date of debiting such direct debit to your account"

In general, I'd:
- talk first to UPC, give them a chance to correct the mistake.
- Go to the bank, get the direct debit refunded.
- Let UPC come back to me for the money, if there is some genuine case.

pippip

According to the link on the first post I should only be getting the 43c increase, have no phone, only broadband. I pay direct debit.

Got an email this morning saying its going up €3.07 inc vat on my bill. "Digital TV and Broadband"

Going to have to ring them now....oh fun!

johndoe99

whenever i get a message "that your broaband speed is getting increased", you can be sure there's a hike in price coming.

pippip

Just got off the phone to them, to be fair I got through in seconds after pressing all the different buttons.

Apparently my broadband is being increased. Speed went from 12mb to 15mb and price increased by €2.64

For some reason she kept telling me my tv package was going down but 37c????

Said I cannot downgrade free of charge until august, so may ring back then.

forzacalcio

Why can we not get out of contract but keep the package?
Surely a change in my contract allows me to get out without penalty!

icdg

Merged.

Mountjoy Mugger

pippip wrote: »

Said I cannot downgrade free of charge until august, so may ring back then.

I downgraded free of charge two days ago. I quoted the letter to them.

rickyjb

djimi wrote: »

I have to say Im inclined to disagree. I pay my bills by DD and recently my mobile company made an error on my bill which saw them take €200 extra out of my account which left me in a very difficult position that month. 6 weeks later and I still havent gotten the money back. Needless to say they wont be allowed near my bank details again...

DD is great and handy when it works but I can definately understand why someone wouldnt trust it.

Let me guess, you're with Vodafone? That's a common occurrence with that company, it's their policy to steal money and not give it back. I've never had any problems with other companies and pay all my bills through direct debit (who doesn't these days?).

pippip

Mountjoy Mugger wrote: »

I downgraded free of charge two days ago. I quoted the letter to them.

Did you downgrade the broadband? I already downgraded that bit last time they increased the price so cant go any lower on that side.

This time I'm downgrading the tv package which doesn't offically go up until 1st august. Realised I don't watch any of the extra channels in the Max package.

dub45

rickyjb wrote: »

Let me guess, you're with Vodafone? That's a common occurrence with that company, it's their policy to steal money and not give it back. I've never had any problems with other companies and pay all my bills through direct debit (who doesn't these days?).

The direct debit system is a woeful system and it is full of flaws as an earlier poster found out.

There is no upfront protection for the bill payer once a company has your bank account details and no matter how badly a company behaves they are no sanctions. Bank staff at all levels are virtually ignorant of how the scheme works and in particular bill payers' rights under it.

I want to warn people that UPC will charge you around €11 if you happen to miss a dd. While your bank will also charge you around €12.50 or so.

This can make missing a dd a very expensive business. AFAIK UPC do not warn customers when they are signing up for DD about this charge.

dub45

djimi wrote: »

I have to say Im inclined to disagree. I pay my bills by DD and recently my mobile company made an error on my bill which saw them take €200 extra out of my account which left me in a very difficult position that month. 6 weeks later and I still havent gotten the money back. Needless to say they wont be allowed near my bank details again...

DD is great and handy when it works but I can definately understand why someone wouldnt trust it.

You should contact your bank immediately - under the dd scheme rules:

If it is established that an unauthorised direct debit was charged to your account, you are guaranteed an immediate refund by your bank of the amount so charged where you notify your bank without undue delay on becoming aware of the unauthorised direct debit, and in any event no later than 13 months after the date of debiting of such direct debit to your account

You are entitled to request a refund of any variable direct debit which exceeded the amount which you could reasonably have expected, subject to you so requesting your bank within a period of 8 weeks from the date of debiting such direct debit to your account; your bank is entitled to ask you to provide factual elements relating to your request for a refund

Demand an immediate refund under the dd scheme rules. And if you have any difficulty contact IPSO. (www.ipso.ie.)

This is a classic example of how a company can wreac havoc on a bill payer with impunity.

You say about not allowing them near your bank account again but unfortunately a cancelled dd can be submitted again very easily - this is one of the farcical aspects of the dd system.

Mountjoy Mugger

pippip wrote: »

Did you downgrade the broadband? I already downgraded that bit last time they increased the price so cant go any lower on that side.

This time I'm downgrading the tv package which doesn't offically go up until 1st august. Realised I don't watch any of the extra channels in the Max package.

No. I downgraded the TV packages (got rid of Sky Sport and dropped from Digi Max to Select Extra+), saving €37pm - I only got the BB from them a few weeks ago, but might lower that too ( no need for 100/120MB - 50/60 is plenty) in a week or so.

forzacalcio

Can anyone tell me if Im able to get out of contract with UPC and keep my Broadband and TV package? Basically I just want to keep the service but be free from contract. This works with other companies such as Vodafone and O2 when they change T&C..

I already called them and they told me I can get out but I have to leave.
Surely this is a penalty.

who_me

forzacalcio wrote: »

Can anyone tell me if Im able to get out of contract with UPC and keep my Broadband and TV package? Basically I just want to keep the service but be free from contract. This works with other companies such as Vodafone and O2 when they change T&C..

I already called them and they told me I can get out but I have to leave.
Surely this is a penalty.

I'd imagine what they're saying is kosher. You, of course, can't be obliged to be under a contract after they've changed the T&Cs, but neither can you force them to keep providing a service with no contract.

(Purely a layman's opinion).

CO19

Those who are currently being upgraded from the 20mb for €25 a month to 25mb will also be billed at the 25mb price of €37 a month even though we didn't ask or want to be upgraded,so a jump of €17 a month,just found that out today,fuming isn't the word !

jack presley

My discounts from last year were about to expire and with the price increases I rang up to get my discounts extended and to see what else they could do. I only have TV/broadband.

To get a cheaper deal I had to get a new bundle with the phone included. So now, even with the price increases I'm paying slightly less than last year but getting the same service. And although I don't actually own a phone so it'll never get used, I now have a phone line as well.

So it's worth giving them a call and seeing what they can do for you.

blaz

CO19 wrote: »

Those who are currently being upgraded from the 20mb for €25 a month to 25mb will also be billed at the 25mb price of €37 a month even though we didn't ask or want to be upgraded,so a jump of €17 a month,just found that out today,fuming isn't the word !

That's not true.

turbojunkie

jack presley wrote: »

My discounts from last year were about to expire and with the price increases I rang up to get my discounts extended and to see what else they could do. I only have TV/broadband.

To get a cheaper deal I had to get a new bundle with the phone included. So now, even with the price increases I'm paying slightly less than last year but getting the same service. And although I don't actually own a phone so it'll never get used, I now have a phone line as well.

So it's worth giving them a call and seeing what they can do for you.

Does that mean that you have entered another one year contract with them? I have just got basic tv with 30mb broadband. Currently paying 58.95/month. Just got an email saying they're increasing it by 4.55/month. Looks like I'd be better off getting a phone bundle even though I'd never use it.

jack presley

turbojunkie wrote: »

Does that mean that you have entered another one year contract with them? I have just got basic tv with 30mb broadband. Currently paying 58.95/month. Just got an email saying they're increasing it by 4.55/month. Looks like I'd be better off getting a phone bundle even though I'd never use it.

Yeah I has to commit to another 12 months with them. I'd give them a ring if I was you and say you're very unhappy with the price increase and see what they can offer. If you've been with them for a few years they'll definitely look to sort you out. Sure take the phone bundle. That's what I did and I'm like you in that I have no intention of even plugging a phone to use it.

CO19

blaz wrote: »

That's not true.

Really ? the girl on the phone must have been trying to chance her arm,have you had this confirmed ?

HattieMcDoogal

CO19 wrote: »

Really ? the girl on the phone must have been trying to chance her arm,have you had this confirmed ?

The 25Mb (formerly 20Mb) will be €27 a month. I asked someone there about it today.

blaz

CO19 wrote: »

Really ? the girl on the phone must have been trying to chance her arm,have you had this confirmed ?

As usual, clueless customer support.

UPC had 4 broadband packages, let's call them A, B, C and D.

A = 20M
B = 25M
C = 50M
D = 100M

They have recently upgrade the speeds on all of them.

A = 25M
B = 30M
C = 60M
D = 120M

Then they adjusted the pricing on all of them and removed package A from their offer (i.e. new customers can no longer buy it). Unfortunately their web site still shows the old speeds, but it only shows packages B, C and D with new pricing now.

So if you were on package A you were upgraded from 20M to 25M and the price for that is the same (and no longer shown on the web site as it is not available for new customers). The 25M shown on the website is actually package B (30M). Confusing, I know.

Or to put it differently: unless your speed is 30M, you won't be paying 37 EUR per month.

CO19

CO19 wrote: »

Those who are currently being upgraded from the 20mb for €25 a month to 25mb will also be billed at the 25mb price of €37 a month even though we didn't ask or want to be upgraded,so a jump of €17 a month,just found that out today,fuming isn't the word !

Really? This is what I was wondering myself. Oh well, off to Magnet I go so.

HattieMcDoogal

Karsini wrote: »

Really? This is what I was wondering myself. Oh well, off to Magnet I go so.

No not really. The 25Mb (formerly 20Mb) will be €27 and the 30Mb (formerly 25Mb) will be €37.

Apogee

These are prices quoted by the UPC rep for broadband and phone.

UPC: Jason wrote: »

Hi there DublinAlert

No problem at all, here you go...

20 meg Broadband + Home Phone. = €31.51 per month
20 meg Broadband + Home Phone & Anytime World.= €43.71 per month
25 meg Broadband + Home Phone & Anytime World.= €47 per month

Regards

Jason

Infoanon

I got notice today that my TV&BB is increasing by €2 per month - no breakdown of the amount, from UPC website .43c is TV so must be €1.57 for BB - nothing on there website.

The reasoning for the TV increase are the added channels ITV2/3/4 and RTE1+1,RTE2HD & Oireachtas TV !! some cheek !

Maybe I should ask for a discount since we only get half of ITV4 !

Bebo stunnah

Infoanon wrote: »

The reasoning for the TV increase are the added channels ITV2/3/4 and RTE1+1,RTE2HD & Oireachtas TV !! some cheek !
!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I signed up to upc 2 years ago and im sure I had all the itv channels! Because I can remember seeing A screen telling me I no longer have itv. I'm also sure I never received a discount because of it either!

youguessedit

Call 1908, select Accounts Services (option 1), select Speak with a Customer Services Representative (option 4) and - here's the important bit - ask to be put through to Customer Loyalty. You'll be surprised at the discount they'll offer if you've been with them for a good few years. I know I was.