Free XL TV for 2 months - Virgin Media TV and Phone

vmchunkymonkey · 08-11-2009, 11:47

http://allyours.virginmedia.com/html...ree-tv-xl.html

how do you stop it after 2 months? Just call them up?
Or do you have to have it for 12 months or so and they are just giving you 2 months free?

johnathome · 08-11-2009, 12:49

well it doesn't say anything in there about being able to cancel after 2 months, i assume it's a minimum 12 months for the xl pack.

BenMcr77 · 08-11-2009, 13:24

It's 2 months free of XL tv to reward you for either taking out or upgrading to XL. You are expected to stay on it.

Markynotts · 08-11-2009, 13:30

Reading the grey small print, it just says that the upgrade must be kept for a minimum of 30 days, so I cant see why you couldnt just cancel after the 2 months are up.

vmchunkymonkey · 08-11-2009, 14:42

I am at work now so can anyone maybe give them a call to ask about it?

davebav50 · 08-11-2009, 23:42

I took the offer today today. The nice Virgin lady confirmed I can cancel it without further commitment in January after 2 months.

smythcolan · 09-11-2009, 10:12

Be careful with these offers.
I was 6 months into my 1st 12 month contract for BB and Phone, i was contacted by VM on the phone and offered the TV box with 1 months upgrade to XL TV with no catch!!!.
I accepted and the box turned up but the next day a new 12 month contract turned up for signing.
I contacted VM and was told i would have to contact them at the end of the free trial to downgrade otherwise it would continue automatically but even if i downgraded i would remain under the NEW 12 month contract.
I went balistic and told them that this was not explained and i did not want to start another 12 month contract and eventually was put back onto my old contract.
I think this is a way VM and trying to keep customers by offering these free offers but not telling you you will enter into a new 12 month contract so beware!!!
Sorry for the long explanation.

Kirkmor · 09-11-2009, 17:54

This is a 12 month contract, after 2 months you can not downgrade to anything lower than the M+ package. Hope that helps

LoneThistle · 10-11-2009, 00:07

We upgraded today too. We're new customers so the new 12 month contract is not a problem.

But we also got it clarified that it was indeed a two month, no-commitment subscription and we were free to go back to M TV.

I doubt we'll be downgrading, but I'll be a tad narked if we were taken for fools by the agent.

Kirkmor · 10-11-2009, 17:38

As i said, you cannot downgrade to less than M+, i know this as it is my job too !! it is clearly listed in all sales agents briefs that m+ is the minimum package downgrade sorry if the agent got it wrong or there was any confusion

goomba · 10-11-2009, 19:28

If it is a new 12 month contract they really need to update the web site to reflect that. And tell the staff on the newsgroups who are telling people they can go back from it.

LoneThistle · 10-11-2009, 19:50

I agree. It's a tad misleading, something needs to be done about this.

Having confirmed it with the agent on three occasions, he was either out to clearly mislead, or he doesn't read the briefs!

As I said, I have no intention of downgrading, but a new twelve month commitment is a rather large one for some people and through no fault of their own they'll get locked into something they were told they could get out of.

BenMcr77 · 10-11-2009, 22:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by goomba

If it is a new 12 month contract they really need to update the web site to reflect that. And tell the staff on the newsgroups who are telling people they can go back from it.

No-one has said it is a new 12 month contract.

The 2 months free is designed to reward those who upgrade - it's not been designed and isn't being sold (or shouldn't be) as a free trial because it's not

goomba · 10-11-2009, 22:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirkmor

This is a 12 month contract

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr77

No-one has said it is a new 12 month contract.

NEWLINEtv · 12-11-2009, 16:12

Virgin Media have told me this is a 2 month free trial, with no obligation to sign any 12 month contract

vmchunkymonkey · 12-11-2009, 18:39

I have just upgraded to it. The lady told me that it will cost nothing and I can drop back down to L after 2 months have ended and it simple an 'XL taster'.

smythcolan · 13-11-2009, 01:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by vmchunkymonkey

I have just upgraded to it. The lady told me that it will cost nothing and I can drop back down to L after 2 months have ended and it simple an 'XL taster'.

Exactly what they told me ..... Watch out for the post man with your new 12 month contract.

Kirkmor · 13-11-2009, 14:49

the 12 month contract is when you are adding tv to your package not just upgrading the channels. If i caused confusion sorry about that.

Just double checked the brief and it states customers must commit to a minimum of M+ TV on an ongoing basis if they wish to downgrade after 2 months.

davebav50 · 14-11-2009, 16:13

I took the offer on the 6th. Have just received my next bill. The bill reminds me to downgrade on the 6th Jan 10.
Have not received a new contract in the post.
Its just a free 2 month taster of XL - I will go back to M+ on 6th Jan.
What could be fairer than that?

vmchunkymonkey · 14-11-2009, 18:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by davebav50

I took the offer on the 6th. Have just received my next bill. The bill reminds me to downgrade on the 6th Jan 10.
Have not received a new contract in the post.
Its just a free 2 month taster of XL - I will go back to M+ on 6th Jan.
What could be fairer than that?

I agree here, my bill has not come through yet but will check if it tells me to downgrade or not. My 2 months is up on the 12th Jan.

This is a good offer as it is XL for Xmas

Cambridge-Rob · 15-11-2009, 17:41

Hi all,
Read previous postings - and this contradicts some.
I have no interest in XL-TV, but wanted to add SkySports Collection over Christmas - mainly for Americam Football.

I called to add SkySports Collection at 26 per month.
The girl (in Glasgow) talked me into 2 months free XL-TV to get SSC for 19 instead of 26 (on top of free M-TV).

Before calling, I had read these postings, so I asked her to confirm I could Downgrade to FREE M-TV (not even M+, as previously noted) in 2 months. She said YES, and put it down in the call notes. Also, that a month is 30 days, so I simply have to call within 60 days to cancel. Further I have no contract beyond 30 days for SSC.

So should be OK. However I have had a previous bad experience with M after being given 2 months of "free" XL-phone. It took not one, but three calls (and serious anger) before it went away and stopped being charged - and credit for payments taken.

I hope cancelling XL-TV in 59 days is easier.

I know this contradicts a previous posting froma (poosibly) VM employee.

Rob

djfrancis · 16-11-2009, 11:50

A nice girl called carol (in Glasgow very nice lady). I was only calling to see what package i have on my landline, so she said i have the free weekend calls anyway. Then she said they had a christmas offer for TV XL for 2 months however you wont be premium channels like sky sports, adult channels (GUTTTTED!) LOL.

and she said i had to cancel by 14th january 2009, Then she said a bill will come up XL but ignore it is free, So i signed up

switched off my v box and switched it back on now i have my XL channels. Plus i get my music/movies on demand free.

But you know the catch, some people will forget to cancel or enjoy it too much and they are stuck into a XL package! so my advise is stick the cancel date on your calendar.

pmalexander · 18-11-2009, 06:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cambridge-Rob

Hi all,
Read previous postings - and this contradicts some.
I have no interest in XL-TV, but wanted to add SkySports Collection over Christmas - mainly for Americam Football.

I called to add SkySports Collection at 26 per month.
The girl (in Glasgow) talked me into 2 months free XL-TV to get SSC for 19 instead of 26 (on top of free M-TV).

Before calling, I had read these postings, so I asked her to confirm I could Downgrade to FREE M-TV (not even M+, as previously noted) in 2 months. She said YES, and put it down in the call notes. Also, that a month is 30 days, so I simply have to call within 60 days to cancel. Further I have no contract beyond 30 days for SSC.

So should be OK. However I have had a previous bad experience with M after being given 2 months of "free" XL-phone. It took not one, but three calls (and serious anger) before it went away and stopped being charged - and credit for payments taken.

I hope cancelling XL-TV in 59 days is easier.

I know this contradicts a previous posting froma (poosibly) VM employee.

Rob

Before you spend out for sky sports for american football, the XL package gives you ESPN America which has loads of football on! As well as baseball, etc.

Cambridge-Rob · 19-11-2009, 16:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmalexander

Before you spend out for sky sports for american football, the XL package gives you ESPN America which has loads of football on! As well as baseball, etc.

Sadly ESPN carries lots of College Football - not the NFL.
Also sadly, VM carries only one 6pm game and one 9pm game, whereas on satellite, there is an alternate game "behind the red button".
It's Murdoch's way of trying to make satellite more attractive.
Anyway, the NFL is finished for the year early Feb, so this will do for me.

chris_paulin · 19-11-2009, 20:00

Just phoned them up to enquire about the offer, first call was the usual overseas nonsence and got nowhere with info apart from them getting pushy for me to upgrade and also take out their mobile service.

Second attempt, called them on their 150 number and kept repeating that untill i got a british voice.....bingo eventually got through to their bellshill centre.

I can confirm you can get it upgraded totally free, no ties for two months, no ties into new contracts and no minimum drops to M+ after the two months.

Best advice i can give anyone is be patient and call and hang up till you get through to one of the scottish call centres.

08-11-2009, 11:47	#1
vmchunkymonkey Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Services: Virgin Media TV Size L, Broadband Size M and Phone Size M Posts: 274	Free XL TV for 2 months http://allyours.virginmedia.com/html...ree-tv-xl.html how do you stop it after 2 months? Just call them up? Or do you have to have it for 12 months or so and they are just giving you 2 months free?

15-11-2009, 17:41	#21
Cambridge-Rob Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 2	Main interest - SkySports Hi all, Read previous postings - and this contradicts some. I have no interest in XL-TV, but wanted to add SkySports Collection over Christmas - mainly for Americam Football. I called to add SkySports Collection at 26 per month. The girl (in Glasgow) talked me into 2 months free XL-TV to get SSC for 19 instead of 26 (on top of free M-TV). Before calling, I had read these postings, so I asked her to confirm I could Downgrade to FREE M-TV (not even M+, as previously noted) in 2 months. She said YES, and put it down in the call notes. Also, that a month is 30 days, so I simply have to call within 60 days to cancel. Further I have no contract beyond 30 days for SSC. So should be OK. However I have had a previous bad experience with M after being given 2 months of "free" XL-phone. It took not one, but three calls (and serious anger) before it went away and stopped being charged - and credit for payments taken. I hope cancelling XL-TV in 59 days is easier. I know this contradicts a previous posting froma (poosibly) VM employee. Rob

08-11-2009, 12:49	#2
johnathome Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 100	well it doesn't say anything in there about being able to cancel after 2 months, i assume it's a minimum 12 months for the xl pack.

08-11-2009, 13:24	#3
BenMcr77 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Manchester Services: Sky HD Virgin National LLU Posts: 4,199	It's 2 months free of XL tv to reward you for either taking out or upgrading to XL. You are expected to stay on it.

08-11-2009, 13:30	#4
Markynotts Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Nottingham Services: Freesat, Freeview - Digifuson FVRT200, Virgin VOD and Cable Modem Posts: 780	Reading the grey small print, it just says that the upgrade must be kept for a minimum of 30 days, so I cant see why you couldnt just cancel after the 2 months are up.

08-11-2009, 14:42	#5
vmchunkymonkey Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Services: Virgin Media TV Size L, Broadband Size M and Phone Size M Posts: 274	I am at work now so can anyone maybe give them a call to ask about it?

08-11-2009, 23:42	#6
davebav50 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Great Yarmouth Services: Virgin Media, Sky, Freeview+ Posts: 178	I took the offer today today. The nice Virgin lady confirmed I can cancel it without further commitment in January after 2 months.

09-11-2009, 10:12	#7
smythcolan Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Northants Services: Freeview, Virgin BB, Phone + Mobile Posts: 33	Be careful with these offers. I was 6 months into my 1st 12 month contract for BB and Phone, i was contacted by VM on the phone and offered the TV box with 1 months upgrade to XL TV with no catch!!!. I accepted and the box turned up but the next day a new 12 month contract turned up for signing. I contacted VM and was told i would have to contact them at the end of the free trial to downgrade otherwise it would continue automatically but even if i downgraded i would remain under the NEW 12 month contract. I went balistic and told them that this was not explained and i did not want to start another 12 month contract and eventually was put back onto my old contract. I think this is a way VM and trying to keep customers by offering these free offers but not telling you you will enter into a new 12 month contract so beware!!! Sorry for the long explanation.

09-11-2009, 17:54	#8
Kirkmor Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Manchester Services: XL telco XL BBi XL DTV Vm Posts: 323	This is a 12 month contract, after 2 months you can not downgrade to anything lower than the M+ package. Hope that helps

10-11-2009, 00:07	#9
LoneThistle Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Services: Virgin Media - TV:XL, BB:XL, Phone:M Posts: 84	We upgraded today too. We're new customers so the new 12 month contract is not a problem. But we also got it clarified that it was indeed a two month, no-commitment subscription and we were free to go back to M TV. I doubt we'll be downgrading, but I'll be a tad narked if we were taken for fools by the agent.

10-11-2009, 17:38	#10
Kirkmor Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Manchester Services: XL telco XL BBi XL DTV Vm Posts: 323	As i said, you cannot downgrade to less than M+, i know this as it is my job too !! it is clearly listed in all sales agents briefs that m+ is the minimum package downgrade sorry if the agent got it wrong or there was any confusion

10-11-2009, 19:28	#11
goomba Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,149	If it is a new 12 month contract they really need to update the web site to reflect that. And tell the staff on the newsgroups who are telling people they can go back from it.

10-11-2009, 19:50	#12
LoneThistle Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Services: Virgin Media - TV:XL, BB:XL, Phone:M Posts: 84	I agree. It's a tad misleading, something needs to be done about this. Having confirmed it with the agent on three occasions, he was either out to clearly mislead, or he doesn't read the briefs! As I said, I have no intention of downgrading, but a new twelve month commitment is a rather large one for some people and through no fault of their own they'll get locked into something they were told they could get out of.

12-11-2009, 16:12	#15
NEWLINEtv Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 4,054	Virgin Media have told me this is a 2 month free trial, with no obligation to sign any 12 month contract

12-11-2009, 18:39	#16
vmchunkymonkey Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Services: Virgin Media TV Size L, Broadband Size M and Phone Size M Posts: 274	I have just upgraded to it. The lady told me that it will cost nothing and I can drop back down to L after 2 months have ended and it simple an 'XL taster'.

13-11-2009, 14:49	#18
Kirkmor Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Manchester Services: XL telco XL BBi XL DTV Vm Posts: 323	the 12 month contract is when you are adding tv to your package not just upgrading the channels. If i caused confusion sorry about that. Just double checked the brief and it states customers must commit to a minimum of M+ TV on an ongoing basis if they wish to downgrade after 2 months.

14-11-2009, 16:13	#19
davebav50 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Great Yarmouth Services: Virgin Media, Sky, Freeview+ Posts: 178	I took the offer on the 6th. Have just received my next bill. The bill reminds me to downgrade on the 6th Jan 10. Have not received a new contract in the post. Its just a free 2 month taster of XL - I will go back to M+ on 6th Jan. What could be fairer than that?

16-11-2009, 11:50	#22
djfrancis Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Liverpool Services: HTC T'Dual, XPx64, Virgin Media, Xbox 360, Nokia N97, Linksys WRT54GS DDWRT Posts: 155	A nice girl called carol (in Glasgow very nice lady). I was only calling to see what package i have on my landline, so she said i have the free weekend calls anyway. Then she said they had a christmas offer for TV XL for 2 months however you wont be premium channels like sky sports, adult channels (GUTTTTED!) LOL. and she said i had to cancel by 14th january 2009, Then she said a bill will come up XL but ignore it is free, So i signed up switched off my v box and switched it back on now i have my XL channels. Plus i get my music/movies on demand free. But you know the catch, some people will forget to cancel or enjoy it too much and they are stuck into a XL package! so my advise is stick the cancel date on your calendar.

19-11-2009, 20:00	#25
chris_paulin Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Services: Sky HD, Virgin Phone and Broadband Posts: 612	Just phoned them up to enquire about the offer, first call was the usual overseas nonsence and got nowhere with info apart from them getting pushy for me to upgrade and also take out their mobile service. Second attempt, called them on their 150 number and kept repeating that untill i got a british voice.....bingo eventually got through to their bellshill centre. I can confirm you can get it upgraded totally free, no ties for two months, no ties into new contracts and no minimum drops to M+ after the two months. Best advice i can give anyone is be patient and call and hang up till you get through to one of the scottish call centres.