Virgin Mobile Introduce 5p Min Call Charge

Steven L Hunter · 24-11-2004, 17:43

I just got a letter saying that from the 10th (i think) of January there will be a minimum call charge of 5p. What are your opinions on this?

lee18xx · 24-11-2004, 20:32

They've got the same bug as the other networks - Turning from 'no frills' to something more like o2, introducing bolt ons and minimum call charges.

a04188 · 24-11-2004, 22:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevenGray16

I just got a letter saying that from the 10th (i think) of January there will be a minimum call charge of 5p. What are your opinions on this?

thats rubbish, im e-mailing to complain

a04188 · 24-11-2004, 22:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevenGray16

I just got a letter saying that from the 10th (i think) of January there will be a minimum call charge of 5p. What are your opinions on this?

thats rubbish, im e-mailing to complain!
I hated that on o2 because it it even went onto voicemail for a second it would cost be about 5/6p (im not sure how much)

Steven L Hunter · 24-11-2004, 22:43

Well it looks like the only other network that has no min call charge now is 3 but i'm sure if you use bundles on virgin they wont charge 5p then if you have minutes. Virgin must be losing money having such cheap calls so they added a minimum call charge.

I don't think its a good idea because it makes them not much different from all other networks now but their calls are still cheaper. I'll still stick with them as their service is still great and no other network could offer the same good service.

lee18xx · 24-11-2004, 22:57

I'm wondering how long the 3p texts will last...

Steven L Hunter · 24-11-2004, 23:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by bignose87

I'm wondering how long the 3p texts will last...

You know i seriously thought that was an offer at first and ended sometime but i dont think they will drop the 3p texts as old sim packs that are getting sold have 3p text info on them and that wouldnt be very good and would leave a lot of people angry!

I like the 3p text thing as its handy when you've only got a few pence credit and then at least you can still text

steve007 · 24-11-2004, 23:12

Email them and complain. Maybe they will change their mind. Like orange did with the text bundle.

Steven L Hunter · 24-11-2004, 23:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve007

Email them and complain. Maybe they will change their mind. Like orange did with the text bundle.

ok i will, what text bundle was that?

steve007 · 24-11-2004, 23:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevenGray16

ok i will, what text bundle was that?

It was called Orange textsaver. For a one off fee of £19.99 (srp) you got £5 credit(total) and 5 free texts per day for a year (total 1825).

At some point orange changed this to 3 and there was shitloads of complaints to orange by people who had already bought the pack. I seem to remember it was on watchdog or similar program and in the end Orange relented and changed it back to 5 texts.

http://www.orange.co.uk/fair/1825.html

Text saver is no longer available. Except via old stock.

BexTech · 25-11-2004, 02:30

Maybe Easy Mobile will be worth a look?

Omega Point · 25-11-2004, 16:54

THE LOWEST CALL CHARGE ON VIRGIN MOBILE IS 5p SO WHAT'S THE PROBLEM!

BexTech · 25-11-2004, 17:06

The problem is phoning someone with bloody annoying voicemail or answerphone, and then being charged for that pleasure, before this 5p min charge, if you are quick enough, you do not pay anything, or at most 1p.

These 5 pence's soon add up, so that is the BIG problem.

Maybe you like to pay for nothing, the vast majority of people DO NOT!

a04188 · 27-11-2004, 14:16

i've e-mailed complaining, but they just went on about when its changing and that if your calls or over a minute long you wont notice a difference.

But many of my calls are less than a minute!

Maybe if more people complain they'll get the hint...

Anyways have anyone seen the new virgin mobile ads?? They're funny :d

BexTech · 27-11-2004, 14:29

I complained and got the same response as yourself.

We need everyone to complain, as Virgin used to go on about how they receive fewer complaints (as a percentage) than any other operator, so we need to make them listen!

cheekycharlie · 27-11-2004, 14:36

Hi guys

I'm on Virgin and have been for well over a year. I personally don't mind the new policy and it won't really affect me. I find it so much cheaper than Orange was and I think the coverage is brilliant. I've wondered how long the 3p texts will last but I only know two other people on Virgin anyway so it won't really affect me.

What I'm wondering tho is, will the tariff still be 15p per minute for the first 5 mins of calls you make in a day then 5p or will their standard tariff change to 15p all the time? If they do that then they may not be competitive.

CC

PS Just noticed someone saying about phoning up their voicemail - well on Virgin it's free and it will continue to be free - it says so in their letter!

BexTech · 27-11-2004, 14:44

No nothing is changing other than where there was once NO minimum charge, it is now 5p.

So that means when you call someone and they have decided to switch the bloody annoying voicemail or answerphone on, you now get charged 5p, whereas before you could cut the call straight away and not usually get charged.

These 5 pence's soon add up.

When I ring someone I want to speak to them, not leave a message, so I would rather people not have voicemail, so I don't keep getting charged, it is so much easier and FREE just to be told the phone is switched off or unavailable. But not everyone is considerate to others so have voicemail switched on, therefore I would rather not be charged the 5p I will be now Virgin are introducing the 5p min charge.

BexTech · 27-11-2004, 14:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheekycharlie

PS Just noticed someone saying about phoning up their voicemail - well on Virgin it's free and it will continue to be free - it says so in their letter!

I think you are confusing matters. yes we know to access our own voicemail is free. But if you phone someone who has the bloody annoying voicemail setup you get charged to be told 'Your call has been forwarded to the *operators* voicemail/answerphone service....'

Before you would be able to end the call as soon as you hear "Your call..." and not be charged at all, now you will be charged at least 5p.

I am very considerate to my friends and family, so don't have voicemail enabled or an answerphone service on my home phone, why should they be charged for not actually speaking to me? I and they would much rather just try again later!

This new policy DOES affect everyone, and people MUST make a stand against these companies. You can't just let them get away with it, saying it doesn't affect you when it clearly affects everyone! If you don't make a stand, they will continue to finds ways of making the service more expensive.

I have always been happy with Virgin, but the biggest reason why I switched to them was because of the no minimum call charge.

ILR Swordfish · 27-11-2004, 15:18

I received the letter on Wednesday and I can't say I was impressed at all. Ok, to look at it, five pence minimum call charge doesn't sound alot, but like someone has already pointed out, it soon adds up when getting through to someone's answerpone. Personally, I don't think it's on at all.

On the aforementioned letter, near to the end, it states 'Virgin Mobile has never been better value'- well, before the introduction of the five pence minimum call charge maybe!

BexTech · 27-11-2004, 15:34

People MUST complain, because if they don't Virgin will find new ways of making us pay more.

Tell them the bundles offer poor value for money, and that you are not happy with the 5p minimum charge.

Plus don't forget that the free text alerts end soon, so remember to cancel them!

'Virgin Mobile has never been better value'

ILR Swordfish · 27-11-2004, 15:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by BexTech

People MUST complain, because if they don't Virgin will find new ways of making us pay more.

Tell them the bundles offer poor value for money, and that you are not happy with the 5p minimum charge.

I will e-mail Virgin with my complaint shortly, telling them I'm not happy at all with the new minimum call charge. Thing is, if they have introduced this, it makes you wonder what else they have up their sleeves...!

Pencil · 27-11-2004, 19:12

I cancelled my account and switched to Orange. Yes, I'm small minded like that.

steve007 · 27-11-2004, 23:29

Its very dissapointing I will admit.

I think if it goes ahead and users dont convince them otherwise, I will probably leave them.

Its all based around the fact that Ofcom ordered reduction (30%) of termination charges which has resulted in a loss of revenue. However with Virgin achieving profits of £55m and no network related investment, due to its use of the T-Mobile Platform, its a little suprising that its prepared to risk losing valuable customers to other networks.

Customers who are not happy with the minimum call charge should email them HERE

Steven L Hunter · 27-11-2004, 23:32

I emailled and got same reply too. Hopefully they will take note of this and not introduce it.

BexTech · 27-11-2004, 23:34

I sent another email, telling them I wasn't satisfied with their first response, not had anything back yet.

24-11-2004, 17:43	#1
Steven L Hunter Guest Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 10,517	Virgin Mobile Introduce 5p Min Call Charge I just got a letter saying that from the 10th (i think) of January there will be a minimum call charge of 5p. What are your opinions on this?

24-11-2004, 20:32	#2
lee18xx Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: UK Posts: 2,794	They've got the same bug as the other networks - Turning from 'no frills' to something more like o2, introducing bolt ons and minimum call charges.

24-11-2004, 22:13	#3
a04188 Forum Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 1,849	Quote: Originally Posted by StevenGray16 I just got a letter saying that from the 10th (i think) of January there will be a minimum call charge of 5p. What are your opinions on this? thats rubbish, im e-mailing to complain

24-11-2004, 22:17	#4
a04188 Forum Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 1,849	Quote: Originally Posted by StevenGray16 I just got a letter saying that from the 10th (i think) of January there will be a minimum call charge of 5p. What are your opinions on this? thats rubbish, im e-mailing to complain! I hated that on o2 because it it even went onto voicemail for a second it would cost be about 5/6p (im not sure how much)

24-11-2004, 22:43	#5
Steven L Hunter Guest Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 10,517	Well it looks like the only other network that has no min call charge now is 3 but i'm sure if you use bundles on virgin they wont charge 5p then if you have minutes. Virgin must be losing money having such cheap calls so they added a minimum call charge. I don't think its a good idea because it makes them not much different from all other networks now but their calls are still cheaper. I'll still stick with them as their service is still great and no other network could offer the same good service.

24-11-2004, 22:57	#6
lee18xx Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: UK Posts: 2,794	I'm wondering how long the 3p texts will last...

24-11-2004, 23:08	#7
Steven L Hunter Guest Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 10,517	Quote: Originally Posted by bignose87 I'm wondering how long the 3p texts will last... You know i seriously thought that was an offer at first and ended sometime but i dont think they will drop the 3p texts as old sim packs that are getting sold have 3p text info on them and that wouldnt be very good and would leave a lot of people angry! I like the 3p text thing as its handy when you've only got a few pence credit and then at least you can still text

24-11-2004, 23:12	#8
steve007 Banned User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hereford Posts: 1,681	Email them and complain. Maybe they will change their mind. Like orange did with the text bundle.

24-11-2004, 23:16	#9
Steven L Hunter Guest Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 10,517	Quote: Originally Posted by steve007 Email them and complain. Maybe they will change their mind. Like orange did with the text bundle. ok i will, what text bundle was that?

24-11-2004, 23:48	#10
steve007 Banned User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hereford Posts: 1,681	Quote: Originally Posted by StevenGray16 ok i will, what text bundle was that? It was called Orange textsaver. For a one off fee of £19.99 (srp) you got £5 credit(total) and 5 free texts per day for a year (total 1825). At some point orange changed this to 3 and there was shitloads of complaints to orange by people who had already bought the pack. I seem to remember it was on watchdog or similar program and in the end Orange relented and changed it back to 5 texts. http://www.orange.co.uk/fair/1825.html Text saver is no longer available. Except via old stock.

25-11-2004, 02:30	#11
BexTech Banned User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Back where I belong. Posts: 12,574	Maybe Easy Mobile will be worth a look?

25-11-2004, 16:54	#12
Omega Point Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: West Midlands (Fenton Transmit Posts: 477	THE LOWEST CALL CHARGE ON VIRGIN MOBILE IS 5p SO WHAT'S THE PROBLEM!

25-11-2004, 17:06	#13
BexTech Banned User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Back where I belong. Posts: 12,574	The problem is phoning someone with bloody annoying voicemail or answerphone, and then being charged for that pleasure, before this 5p min charge, if you are quick enough, you do not pay anything, or at most 1p. These 5 pence's soon add up, so that is the BIG problem. Maybe you like to pay for nothing, the vast majority of people DO NOT!

27-11-2004, 14:16	#14
a04188 Forum Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 1,849	i've e-mailed complaining, but they just went on about when its changing and that if your calls or over a minute long you wont notice a difference. But many of my calls are less than a minute! Maybe if more people complain they'll get the hint... Anyways have anyone seen the new virgin mobile ads?? They're funny :d

27-11-2004, 14:29	#15
BexTech Banned User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Back where I belong. Posts: 12,574	I complained and got the same response as yourself. We need everyone to complain, as Virgin used to go on about how they receive fewer complaints (as a percentage) than any other operator, so we need to make them listen!

27-11-2004, 14:36	#16
cheekycharlie Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 687	Hi guys I'm on Virgin and have been for well over a year. I personally don't mind the new policy and it won't really affect me. I find it so much cheaper than Orange was and I think the coverage is brilliant. I've wondered how long the 3p texts will last but I only know two other people on Virgin anyway so it won't really affect me. What I'm wondering tho is, will the tariff still be 15p per minute for the first 5 mins of calls you make in a day then 5p or will their standard tariff change to 15p all the time? If they do that then they may not be competitive. CC PS Just noticed someone saying about phoning up their voicemail - well on Virgin it's free and it will continue to be free - it says so in their letter!

27-11-2004, 14:44	#17
BexTech Banned User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Back where I belong. Posts: 12,574	No nothing is changing other than where there was once NO minimum charge, it is now 5p. So that means when you call someone and they have decided to switch the bloody annoying voicemail or answerphone on, you now get charged 5p, whereas before you could cut the call straight away and not usually get charged. These 5 pence's soon add up. When I ring someone I want to speak to them, not leave a message, so I would rather people not have voicemail, so I don't keep getting charged, it is so much easier and FREE just to be told the phone is switched off or unavailable. But not everyone is considerate to others so have voicemail switched on, therefore I would rather not be charged the 5p I will be now Virgin are introducing the 5p min charge.

27-11-2004, 14:50	#18
BexTech Banned User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Back where I belong. Posts: 12,574	Quote: Originally Posted by cheekycharlie PS Just noticed someone saying about phoning up their voicemail - well on Virgin it's free and it will continue to be free - it says so in their letter! I think you are confusing matters. yes we know to access our own voicemail is free. But if you phone someone who has the bloody annoying voicemail setup you get charged to be told 'Your call has been forwarded to the operators voicemail/answerphone service....' Before you would be able to end the call as soon as you hear "Your call..." and not be charged at all, now you will be charged at least 5p. I am very considerate to my friends and family, so don't have voicemail enabled or an answerphone service on my home phone, why should they be charged for not actually speaking to me? I and they would much rather just try again later! This new policy DOES affect everyone, and people MUST make a stand against these companies. You can't just let them get away with it, saying it doesn't affect you when it clearly affects everyone! If you don't make a stand, they will continue to finds ways of making the service more expensive. I have always been happy with Virgin, but the biggest reason why I switched to them was because of the no minimum call charge.

27-11-2004, 15:18	#19
ILR Swordfish Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Sheffield Posts: 48	I received the letter on Wednesday and I can't say I was impressed at all. Ok, to look at it, five pence minimum call charge doesn't sound alot, but like someone has already pointed out, it soon adds up when getting through to someone's answerpone. Personally, I don't think it's on at all. On the aforementioned letter, near to the end, it states 'Virgin Mobile has never been better value'- well, before the introduction of the five pence minimum call charge maybe!

27-11-2004, 15:34	#20
BexTech Banned User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Back where I belong. Posts: 12,574	People MUST complain, because if they don't Virgin will find new ways of making us pay more. Tell them the bundles offer poor value for money, and that you are not happy with the 5p minimum charge. Plus don't forget that the free text alerts end soon, so remember to cancel them! 'Virgin Mobile has never been better value'

27-11-2004, 15:45	#21
ILR Swordfish Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Sheffield Posts: 48	Quote: Originally Posted by BexTech People MUST complain, because if they don't Virgin will find new ways of making us pay more. Tell them the bundles offer poor value for money, and that you are not happy with the 5p minimum charge. I will e-mail Virgin with my complaint shortly, telling them I'm not happy at all with the new minimum call charge. Thing is, if they have introduced this, it makes you wonder what else they have up their sleeves...!

DS Forums

Virgin Mobile Introduce 5p Min Call Charge

27-11-2004, 19:12	#22
Pencil Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 4,252	I cancelled my account and switched to Orange. Yes, I'm small minded like that.

27-11-2004, 23:29	#23
steve007 Banned User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hereford Posts: 1,681	Its very dissapointing I will admit. I think if it goes ahead and users dont convince them otherwise, I will probably leave them. Its all based around the fact that Ofcom ordered reduction (30%) of termination charges which has resulted in a loss of revenue. However with Virgin achieving profits of £55m and no network related investment, due to its use of the T-Mobile Platform, its a little suprising that its prepared to risk losing valuable customers to other networks. Customers who are not happy with the minimum call charge should email them HERE

27-11-2004, 23:32	#24
Steven L Hunter Guest Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 10,517	I emailled and got same reply too. Hopefully they will take note of this and not introduce it.

27-11-2004, 23:34	#25
BexTech Banned User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Back where I belong. Posts: 12,574	I sent another email, telling them I wasn't satisfied with their first response, not had anything back yet.