Virgin media services (tv/internet/phone) (virginmedia.com)

Member Name: mh42

Product:	virginmedia.com
Date:	21/01/09 (57 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap all-in-one package

Disadvantages: Terrible customer services

I write this review with some apprehension as really I think what has annoyed me most I am over reacting about. Been with blue yonder on a number of occasions and they never caused me many issues - I usually signed up for the standard cable internet and on occasion a basic tv package. Overall apart from some mucking about which caused me to cancel the account on one instance after moving (it took 3 months for them to disconnect and collect the box after I moved with plenty of notice. Ahem.) I had a generally good service overall.

Virgin media is a different beast altogether, when I moved to a new house over a year and a half ago I rang virgin media to move my services, which to my surprise they were quite quick in arranging. I had recently had a pay rise so I decided to invest in the standard tv/internet/phone package as a treat. This was installed the next week with no problems and I enjoyed a fairly good service for the next 6 months or so.

The problems arose when rather than paying by pay point I decided to pay straight from my bank account (HSBC) for a months bill. This according to the bank left my account straight away (they were very helpful through this issue) however virgin media refused to acknowledge that they had recieved the payment for over 4 months. This resulted in a few days of missed service and in one instance paying all the outstanding balance again to get them off my back despite having written confirmation from the bank that the money was paid to them. Beggers belief I say.

Regardless the money was eventually acknowledged and credited to my account and now the service seems to have resumed to normal.

Other than that *small* complaint I am currently quite happy with the service. The TV service (I have XL) is on a par with the sky services and I enjoy the on demand tv and movies especially. The catch up function is also useful for any missed shows however sometimes I find the choices of programs that are recorded to be a little bland!

The internet connection is average I would say for the amount I have paid. Yes they do put a cap on the P2P traffic during the day but seeing as I am not a heavy downloader this doesn't affect me greatly.

It would seem however that the service varies greatly from area to area and I would advise you speak to someone local who has been a customer for a while before you sign up.

Summary: Not bad, but would advise you check out the competition first!