Virgin Media trying to charge for terminating contract early

Hi,

I recently moved home and asked Virgin Media to transfer my services only to be told they couldn't as there was "60m of cable missing leading up to your new home".

I therefore had no choice but to just disconnect my services. I have now received a final bill which includes a "Contract termination charge" of £122.50.

Of course I told them what to do with that charge but do I actually have a chance of getting out of it? It hardly seems fair that they charge me for a move that wasn't my choice (my landlord sold my flat) and I was willing to stay with them.

In reply to a post by WuZiMu:

Of course I told them what to do with that charge but do I actually have a chance of getting out of it? It hardly seems fair that they charge me for a move that wasn't my choice (my landlord sold my flat) and I was willing to stay with them.

That really depends on what you agreed when you took services from them. Have a look at those terms.

Some providers will waive any remaining contract when they can't supply a service, but others may enforce it on the basis that the service could be provided, but you are moving which isn't their fault either.

Matt

i think you might find that you are liable for the charges....but if you call them from 9am-5pm

0800 052 2525

that number is there sales number but there should be an option in there that can divert you to faults and also billing..you should get someone in one of the uk call centers if you call within office hrs......

i'm sure they will be able to help you on this matter..

good luck..

Hmmm. Ok thanks for the replies.

Well I'm not paying it contract or not. It may not be their fault but it's not mine either, I wanted to take my services with me.

To be fair it is actually your fault. Virgin didn't force you into a contract, they didn't force you to move and they didn't choose your new home for you - 100% your decision. You could have looked closer at where you were moving to and ensured that there was a Virgin cable feed.

They do however have logistical costs to recover from providing you with service - why should they make a loss due to your decisions?

In reply to a post by WuZiMu:

It may not be their fault but it's not mine either,

No, but it's your responsibility. Your landlord is not party to your contract with VM.

However I hope they are not overcharging you for cancellation; £122.50 seems a lot. Ofcom reduced these cancellation fees in June 2010 ; Check: Cheaper charges for UK consumers to end phone contracts for your package.

In reply to a post by FRS_Plunderer:

To be fair it is actually your fault. Virgin didn't force you into a contract, they didn't force you to move and they didn't choose your new home for you - 100% your decision. You could have looked closer at where you were moving to and ensured that there was a Virgin cable feed.

They do however have logistical costs to recover from providing you with service - why should they make a loss due to your decisions?

Actually the move wasn't my decision. Virgin may not have forced me to move but my landlord did by deciding to sell the flat. I did check the new address on their own website and at the time the database said my address COULD receive cable services. Only to get a phone call off Virgin after I arranged the transfer to be told there was 60 metres of cable missing.

It matters not now as after arguing with them for a week they have waived the fee

Edited by deleted (Wed 29-Jun-11 13:48:58)

As it's all sorted, I didn't realise it was that easy to sell a flat with a sitting tenant ...? I thought that all got stopped long ago. Though perhaps it depends how long you had been there.

I was there ten years and it depends if it's a private landlord or a "social" landlord such as a council or a housing association.

Mine is a housing association so they had to offer me alternative accommodation, pay all my moving, flooring & decorating expenses and pay a home loss payment too.

It's much easier for private landlords I think as they can just wait till the tenancy term is ending and then sell.

Off-topic, I know!!