[Lathamite]

My Grandad has been with Virgin since the NTL days. He gets TV and phone through them but was recently talked into adding Broadband to his package. He was persuaded that this would cost no extra (which I found very dubious at the time).

Sure enough, on looking at his last few bills, I see mention of a promotional credit that will expire after three months. I take this to mean that the broadband deal was free for three months and then there will be charge afterwards.

My Grandad is 90 years old. He does not own a computer and has no interest in the internet. He is hard of hearing and far too polite with pushy salespeople on the phone. A cursory glance at his usage would tell Virgin that he's not used his "broadband" at all. I've been told that it will cost him £75 to get out of a contract he has only verbally agreed to.

Has anyone had experience of sorting out this kind of debacle on behalf of an elderly relative? Do I have any hope of reverting him to a package that actually make sense for him or will they refuse to deal with me?

[gizzy77]

Originally Posted by Lathamite

My Grandad has been with Virgin since the NTL days. He gets TV and phone through them but was recently talked into adding Broadband to his package. He was persuaded that this would cost no extra (which I found very dubious at the time).

Sure enough, on looking at his last few bills, I see mention of a promotional credit that will expire after three months. I take this to mean that the broadband deal was free for three months and then there will be charge afterwards.

My Grandad is 90 years old. He does not own a computer and has no interest in the internet. He is hard of hearing and far too polite with pushy salespeople on the phone. A cursory glance at his usage would tell Virgin that he's not used his "broadband" at all. I've been told that it will cost him £75 to get out of a contract he has only verbally agreed to.

Has anyone had experience of sorting out this kind of debacle on behalf of an elderly relative? Do I have any hope of reverting him to a package that actually make sense for him or will they refuse to deal with me?

Phone them when your grandad is there so he can confirm he gives his permission for them to talk to you.

This is absolutely shocking sales behaviour and I hope you continue to post here to let us know what happens with this.

[BenMcr77]

I'd certainly phone in and then get the call escalated till it's resolved. Obvious case of mis-selling there - broadband with no PC!

They will deal with you as long as security is cleared

[Ernie_C]

Originally Posted by BenMcr77

.... broadband with no PC!

When did it become a pre-requisite to have a PC to use a broadband connection?

[BenMcr77]

Originally Posted by Ernie_C

When did it become a pre-requisite to have a PC to use a broadband connection?

Ok what I should have done is quoted the original poster who said

My Grandad is 90 years old. He does not own a computer and has no interest in the internet

Selling internet to someone who doesn't want it is mis-selling, plain and simple

[vekky2004]

I had this issue with a relative and virgin cancelled the upgrade. they were able to see the broadband was not needed due to age and the fact she had no traffic at all on the broadband since install.
Just to clarify they upsold it because the relative went with tivo and they told them it was needed for iplayer and on demand.

Regards

James