Virgin Media Cancellation deals

Muahahaha · 08-05-2014 2:53pm #1

I'm sure most here know about this but I think it's worth repeating as I just got a pretty decent deal from UPC for the next 12 months. I had been toying with the idea of spending €200-250 on a FTA satellite dish but as I live in an apartment I didn't really want the hassle that might come with it. Anyway my current package is 30mb internet and the basic tv package for €63 a month. I rang up 8 weeks back and asked about cancelling the TV portion only. They said the internet on its own would cost me €37 and for €45 a month they would give me both together for 12 months. Anyway I did nothing about it till today and rang them back again, this time he offered me 120mb broadband and an upgrade from the basic tv package to the next level up for €31.50 a month. That's broadband that is four times quicker and nearly twice the amount of channels. Then he offered another small upgrade, for an extra €3 per month I get over 90 channels (includes Discovery, Animal Planet, etc) all for €34 per month for both tv and internet.

I can't complain really because I would have paid around €34 for broadband off some other provider, at least with UPC I've got the fastest and most reliable broadband going and for €34 a month I'm essentially getting all my tv for free for the next 12 months, great deal IMO.

NeVeR · 08-05-2014 2:57pm

it's crap you have to cancel before they offer you something decent !

Muahahaha · 08-05-2014 4:23pm

NeVeR wrote: »

it's crap you have to cancel before they offer you something decent !

Yeah but in fairness to them they gave me a deal that would normally be reserved only for brand new customers. Maybe I'm wrong g on this but it's the first time I'm aware of it happening that they are giving this type of deal to existing customers. Like I said I had rung up about 8 weeks back and was offered to stay for €45 which is probably pretty standard for existing g customers who are trying to cancel. Then today they offered me €31.50 and I eventually settled on €34 for the extra documentary channels. I've ended up with more channels and faster broadband for almost half the price, I can't complain really.

Rowley Birkin QC · 08-05-2014 5:02pm

Do you have the Horizon box or separate boxes?

We signed up through boards a few days ago. Would be interested to go back to them with this as we are within a 14 day cooling off period.

Muahahaha · 08-05-2014 8:51pm

Rowley Birkin QC wrote: »

Do you have the Horizon box or separate boxes?

We signed up through boards a few days ago. Would be interested to go back to them with this as we are within a 14 day cooling off period.

No he didn't offer the horizon box and I didn't ask for it either as I want to get my own router so I can change the DNS and then access BBC iPlayer and 4OD through a NowTV box, from what I've heard it is difficult or almost impossible to change the DNS on a horizon box so I'm happy not to have one as I've no need to record several channels at a time

cunnifferous · 08-05-2014 9:04pm

Just got the horizon max package for 38.50 a month for 12 months. Pretty happy with that tbh.

BBMcQ · 08-05-2014 9:14pm

Horizon is awful I'd reccommend to stay away. I had it on the preview trial last summer and not only did I give it back but I got a full refund for 6 months and I switched to Sky for TV cuz the customer service was so poor. UPC effectively have a monopoly on high quality broadband in apartments though.. Separates FTW

cunnifferous · 08-05-2014 9:23pm

stuartmchugh wrote: »

Horizon is awful I'd reccommend to stay away. I had it on the preview trial last summer and not only did I give it back but I got a full refund for 6 months and I switched to Sky for TV cuz the customer service was so poor. UPC effectively have a monopoly on high quality broadband in apartments though.. Separates FTW

Yeah I've heard complaints about it alright. To be honest I'm willing to put up with the interface faults for the extra capabilites and the price I got. I've also had one of their ancient TV boxes for the last 5 years that is laggy as hell and has no features so It can't be much worse than that.

Eire Go Brach · 08-05-2014 9:37pm

I do it every year with them. They always give me deals. The things is. I say it to other people and they don't get as good deals. Then they moan at me ha ha

At the moment I have middle tv package, 30mb and phone with international calls. All for just €35. It's up again in July. I will be doing the same again

sector_000 · 09-05-2014 12:47am

stuartmchugh wrote: »

Horizon is awful I'd reccommend to stay away. I had it on the preview trial last summer and not only did I give it back but I got a full refund for 6 months and I switched to Sky for TV cuz the customer service was so poor. UPC effectively have a monopoly on high quality broadband in apartments though.. Separates FTW

I have had the full Horizon package for ~2 months now - very happy with it. I had UPC basic digital TV before that.

Incidently, to OP, there's been a huge thread about the "cancellation deals" from UPC on this forum running over the last couple of months. Many people have gotten the max/complete triple play Horizon bundle for €30~€35 for 1 yr. Hard to think of a better deal elsewhere. I couldn't :-)

seanyd11 · 04-06-2014 12:58pm

I would read the small print in any deals they offer. They gave me a great half price deal for 12 months and then pulled it without telling me , putting it down to a mis-quote from an employee. While they wont let you break yourside of the contract , they can do what they want.

RickyBobby1 · 04-06-2014 2:34pm

Any chance of getting those type of offers as a new customer?

ct5amr2ig1nfhp · 04-06-2014 2:43pm

I cannot stress this enough - get any offer in writing before you commit or agree to the offer.

Jesus Wept · 04-06-2014 4:14pm

Eire Go Brach wrote: »

I do it every year with them. They always give me deals. The things is. I say it to other people and they don't get as good deals. Then they moan at me ha ha

At the moment I have middle tv package, 30mb and phone with international calls. All for just €35. It's up again in July. I will be doing the same again

Anyway of telling when it is up? Currently paying 54 quid for basic tv and internet with them. And the internet is being sh1te.

Muahahaha · 04-06-2014 4:31pm

Our Year wrote: »

Anyway of telling when it is up? Currently paying 54 quid for basic tv and internet with them. And the internet is being sh1te.

Their contracts are typically 12 months in duration so once that is up you should be ringing them to renegotiate the price.

I reckon with these things 90% of their customers never haggle and pay full whack so they'd prefer give us 10% who do a discount rather than lose us to Sky or worse, FTA satellite. When they ask why are you thinking of cancelling always mention the cost and that you're thinking g of getting a FTA satellite installed as it only costs €200 and then your TV is free forever. FTA must send shivers up the spine of any company selling TV services and I'd say they'd much prefer see you pay a discounted bill than no bill at all. People who go FTA are highly unlikely to ever go back and UPC/Sky know this.

cunnifferous · 04-06-2014 9:46pm

Shane Miniature Gin wrote: »

I cannot stress this enough - get any offer in writing before you commit or agree to the offer.

Good advice. After getting offered half price for 12 months got my first bill today and saw a 90 euro 'activation fee' which they never informed me of. Rang them up giving out and they said they would review the tapes. Sneaky bastards is all I can say!

Mountjoy Mugger · 24-06-2014 11:34pm

I'm just after getting an offer – Free Horizon TV for 6 months

Get FREE Horizon TV for 6 Months, just pay for your Broadband and Home Phone. It Ties in to a 12 month contract, and I pay an extra €28 pm thereafter.

I assume Horizon is still crap?

Anyone else getting similar?

ct5amr2ig1nfhp · 24-06-2014 11:39pm

I had high hopes for Horizon but IMHO it is RUBBISH . Obviously I am only one person and others might disagree but I'd recommend you stick with the old box if you have it. Unless you get some sort of offer like you mention above, then maybe consider it... if you're happy with a frustratingly slow tv UI, poor WiFi, recordings going missing, noisy box...

EDIT: just to add, I'm in receipt of a new box that apparently is "magic" and will fix the problems I've mentioned. So make sure to ask for similar "magic" Horizon box. :rolleyes:

Muahahaha · 25-06-2014 12:17am

Was your box branded Horizon ? Mate of mine got UPC TV and BB recently and the box he got is made by Samsung, works perfect but the smart tv features are useless, YouTube is virtually impossible to operate on it, waste of time on something that could have been really good IMO.

goz83 · 25-06-2014 1:55am

seanyd11 wrote: »

I would read the small print in any deals they offer. They gave me a great half price deal for 12 months and then pulled it without telling me , putting it down to a mis-quote from an employee. While they wont let you break yourside of the contract , they can do what they want.

Bull

kindalen · 25-06-2014 7:53am

Horizon box I have is a form of torture. Avoid.

Sin City · 25-06-2014 8:03am

Lads my Horizon box is grand. Free hd channels. Decent gui system. The only down side is where they put the built in antennas, , just under the lip of the front panal so I have to leave the hang over the edge of my TV stand to get a better wifi signal. Its much easier to log into the modem on this box as most of the options are through the TV. I must have got one of those magic boxes as iv had mine over a year with no problems and now I get calls to mobiles as part of my package. ..

ok the apps are fairly crap but I wasn't expecting to much out of them tbh

Notch000 · 25-06-2014 12:12pm

what is the horizon TV ?? I got upgraded a while ago but never figured it out. We got a BB speed incresae and a seperate line but its dropping signal constantly since the switch. If one line is down neither works so it a bit Kack TBH

thebackbar · 01-08-2014 5:44pm

hello folks,
i recently got in touch with upc re getting a better price, i finally agreed to a price of 33 euros a month which includes the basic tv package plus internet. However when my first bill came it was for 39 euros, i presume the price they were quoting on the call was pre vat ?

has this happened to anyone else ?

Mimikyu · 01-08-2014 5:49pm

This post has been deleted.

RickyBobby1 · 01-08-2014 10:12pm

Is it worth ringing up looking for a better price as a new customer? Although we were with them a few years back

GotTheTshirt · 02-08-2014 2:15pm

Thanks for the reminder OP.

My contract ended last month and you reminded me to ring them. After asking how much to keep my broadband and ditch the TV package as my bills were too high I got offered my current 70 euro p/m package for 55.50.
I said I'd chip away some more and mentioned FTA satellite, was immediately offered skysports package free for two months and a bump from my 50 mb to 120 mb broadband aswell, happy days!

ciaburkie · 02-08-2014 9:12pm

was offered a similar deal when i was asking when my contract was up...im switching to eircoms 3 package deal thingy

Monotype · 03-08-2014 10:03am

thebackbar wrote: »

hello folks,
i recently got in touch with upc re getting a better price, i finally agreed to a price of 33 euros a month which includes the basic tv package plus internet. However when my first bill came it was for 39 euros, i presume the price they were quoting on the call was pre vat ?

has this happened to anyone else ?

Yes, they're really bad at getting their stuff together. As Captain Morgan mentioned, it could be because you were halfway through a billing period. Try and study your bill and see if this is the case. If you think it's not, then give them a ring.

RickyBobby1 wrote: »

Is it worth ringing up looking for a better price as a new customer? Although we were with them a few years back

Doubtful. As new customers, you can avail of the new deals, which are usually pretty good, though depending on what you're looking for at the moment, it might or might not suit (I see broadband for cheaper than it was, but some of the packages have gone up).

However, you can save a bit through DID or carphone warehouse if you use the affiliate links, through boards or here's another through DID.
http://www.upc.ie/boardsoffer/
http://www.did.ie/upc

I'm not sure if that DID one is out of date. They seem to reflect the older deals.

Even after one year, you might only be able to negotiate a slightly better deal, according to some of the previous posts. They generally give the best deals if you've been with them a few years.

Greentree_uk · 03-08-2014 10:14am

been with them 14 months and I got my top end package for half price for twelve months. don;t accept the first deal they offer you!

manuhalo · 03-08-2014 12:28pm

My yearly contract with them has recently expired but I hate haggling on the phone. Plus I'd rather have something in writing that I can later quote in case of a dispute. Is it possible to negotiate these kind of deals online? Has anyone tried or succeeded?

daveyjoe · 03-08-2014 12:31pm

manuhalo wrote: »

My yearly contract with them has recently expired but I hate haggling on the phone. Plus I'd rather have something in writing that I can later quote in case of a dispute. Is it possible to negotiate these kind of deals online? Has anyone tried or succeeded?

I imagine online is for customer support only but give it a try and report back, worse they can say is no.

eddhorse · 03-08-2014 12:40pm

In fairness UPC have good support IMO and I got my bill reduced by €15 when I rang up.
Told them I wanted to get rid of the phone part, he said it only added an extra €2 but then proceeded to give me better deal -€15.
You don't get anything better without giving out a little. They think you are a happy customer willing to pay the price otherwise.

white_westie · 03-08-2014 4:39pm

Recently went through this process and got nowhere with upc chat, reps on boards here or on phone to accounts department.
Had to talk to someone in loyalty dept and got a good enough deal to stay another year.

Black_Knight · 30-10-2014 1:13pm

My time to cancel/renew. Got shafted last year with the boards deal (Signed up to the €50 for 6 months, €73 there after just before their €25 for 6 months, €73 there after deal came out), so trying to claim some of that back.

Loyalty team offered me €15 discount (€58 for 120mb unlimited, Horizon essentials, and a phone I dont use). Nothing great really. For the BB and TV I want/use it is only €10 cheaper than on their site, nothing fantastic at all.

xalot · 30-10-2014 3:04pm

Dont go through the live chat on the website, I've never gotten anywhere with that. You're best to call and ask to be put through to the customer retention department. They'll be able to give you the best offers.

kooga · 30-10-2014 3:12pm

Got the following for my inlaws ( iam an authorised person on their account)

Digital value TV €32.50
Multi room €8

total €40.50

less 50% discount for 12 months = €20.25
less my upc discount €3.50

so paying €16.75 a month.

previously had been paying €27.98 a month. Their phone and broadband is with eircom and when it came to negotiating with upc told them we were thinking of upgrading to efibre and free evision for 12 months.

Didn't opt to get phone and BB with UPC as they do noy want or need HORIZON! they are happy with their basic cable box and get all the channels they need or want.

The Gibzilla · 01-11-2014 5:01pm

Lads, any advice on this. I'm in contract with them since June. Signed up for the €80 a month deal (TV, Internet, Phone) but first 6 months is €32. Asked them about the sports package at the time and got quoted the full whack, then a couple of weeks later the Sky sports for €1 comes out. Called them about getting a sports deal, but got nowhere. Had webchat about a deal and got nothing except being told that I'd have to pay €200 to cancel as I'd called Sky and was offered a better deal. Cancellation team is calling me on Mon. In your experience is it better to just cut my loses, pay the €200 move to Sky and watch my football happily or are they just playing hard-ball? Cheers

Kristopherus · 01-11-2014 6:15pm

The Gibzilla wrote: »

Lads, any advice on this. I'm in contract with them since June. Signed up for the €80 a month deal (TV, Internet, Phone) but first 6 months is €32. Asked them about the sports package at the time and got quoted the full whack, then a couple of weeks later the Sky sports for €1 comes out. Called them about getting a sports deal, but got nowhere. Had webchat about a deal and got nothing except being told that I'd have to pay €200 to cancel as I'd called Sky and was offered a better deal. Cancellation team is calling me on Mon. In your experience is it better to just cut my loses, pay the €200 move to Sky and watch my football happily or are they just playing hard-ball? Cheers

Play hardball re the Sky Sports offer. If you get for €1, it will now get you to the end of the footie season.

okidoki987 · 02-11-2014 11:42am

You'll be signing up to a new contract.

dibs101 · 02-11-2014 12:10pm

I got sky sports in for the ryder cup with intention to cancel it after the golf was over. Would like to keep it but not at 30 euro a month.

Anyone any experience on ringing to cancel sport package and getting for a reduced rate?

kooga · 02-11-2014 1:08pm

dibs101 wrote: »

I got sky sports in for the ryder cup with intention to cancel it after the golf was over. Would like to keep it but not at 30 euro a month.

Anyone any experience on ringing to cancel sport package and getting for a reduced rate?

they should offer you 20% reduction to keep ss

Gongoozler · 02-11-2014 1:52pm

Paying 70 per month for Internet and TV, oh and my housemate so nicely only just the other day told me it includes the phone - which is only of use to her.

So she doesn't want to get rid of the TV or phone, neither of which I use, and won't off her arse to ask them for a deal or cancel. So is there any chance we can get something cheaper than what we're on. I don't care about moving providers but she wants me to do the leg work.

Cantona's Collars · 02-11-2014 2:10pm

Gongoozler wrote: »

Paying 70 per month for Internet and TV, oh and my housemate so nicely only just the other day told me it includes the phone - which is only of use to her.

So she doesn't want to get rid of the TV or phone, neither of which I use, and won't off her arse to ask them for a deal or cancel. So is there any chance we can get something cheaper than what we're on. I don't care about moving providers but she wants me to do the leg work.

You can do the leg work but she'll still have to contact UPC,be it to cancel or try to get a deal.You will need to be firm with her,even make the call & hand her the phone when they answer.

A mate of mine was with UPC (mmds) for years,a poor service compared to satellite and changed to Sky recently.He'll never go back despite UPC offering 12 months free Sports & Movies "to reward his years as a customer".

Gongoozler · 02-11-2014 2:33pm

Oh I know it'll have to be her, that's the problem. She wrote them a letter a few months back, and that's all :rolleyes: so I asked about it the other day and she did end up making a call, and getting through to the cancellation team, but apparently got cut off. She said she uses the phone because you get 400 minutes with it, but it's 20 extra to get these 'free' minutes. She said herself she uses Skype so dunno why she's ok paying the 20 for that.

I'll have a look at the alternatives and give her the info, and just have to let her at it then. Even if we got that half price for 6 months I'd be happy.

johnli10628 · 02-11-2014 7:59pm

My contact ends in 4weeks, I'm on 73 a month with 120 BB, TV (few HD channels ), phone (150 free minutes), called them got 58 quote for next year for very same thing , tried push a little more but no joy!
Do you guys think it's a good deal or not? Should I take it or wait for them call me back? Cheers!

kooga · 02-11-2014 8:21pm

they wont ring you back.

Best bet is to give your cancellation notice and leave it at that. Then they will ring you to ask why are you leaving...............reply better deal elsewhere.

you must give your cancellation

johnli10628 · 02-11-2014 8:33pm

My contact ends in 4weeks, I'm on 73 a month with 120 BB, TV (few HD channels ), phone (150 free minutes), called them got 58 quote for next year for very same thing , tried push a little more but no joy!
Do you guys think it's a good deal or not? Should I take it or wait for them call me back? Cheers!

Cyrus · 02-11-2014 8:58pm

How do you check how long is left on your contract?

johnli10628 · 02-11-2014 9:07pm

Cyrus wrote: »

How do you check how long is left on your contract?

just call them！

lee_baby_simms · 02-11-2014 10:07pm

UPC are always calling me. I cancelled tv but kept the broadband a few months back.

My issue is not the price - for me its down to the hardware and the content.

I went through 3 UPC tv boxes in a year. Awful machines, buggy software.

Secondly the actual content on the channels is very poor. I don't watch soaps, x factor, reality tv etc.

BBC iplayer and netflix (all regions) has me covered.

Virgin Media Cancellation deals

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