If you buy a VM V+ Box yourself..

Darth Vader · 02-02-2012, 07:29

Will it work if you swap it for an ordinary box? Do you need to upgrade your service for it to work? I have a V+ box and want to replace my other box with a V+ one too. Could I do that with one I bought second-hand? Is it a case of just swapping it over?

Thanks in advance.

shinyhappy68 · 02-02-2012, 08:20

If you have a V+ box already, you will have the v+ subscription, should be anle to just change boxexs.

Darth Vader · 02-02-2012, 08:24

Thanks, shinyhappy68. Do you know whether the V+ subscription will just work for the one box I already have, or should it work if I replace my second standard box with a V+? thanks.

damo · 02-02-2012, 08:28

I thought that all Virgin Media boxes were still owned by Virgin Media?

When I ended my subscription with them, they wanted the box back.

quisquose · 02-02-2012, 08:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by damo

I thought that all Virgin Media boxes were still owned by Virgin Media?

When I ended my subscription with them, they wanted the box back.

They are.

If you buy a second-hand one you are probably buying stolen goods.

Darth Vader · 02-02-2012, 08:35

So why do VM ask for £75 for the V+ box and then still charge for the V+ service every month? Are customers paying £75 for the honour of borrowing the box whilst paying for the service? This wasn't explained to me in these terms when I originally agreed to having my V+ Box. I was left under the impression, I was purchasing the V+ Box for £75, is this not so?

CAGlover · 02-02-2012, 08:35

Its more hassle for them to take them back though.

mkdr21 · 02-02-2012, 08:39

end of the day you either want their service or you don't. If its too expensive then get freeview!

With virgin media you are pretty much locked to their say so on things like boxes. There's not much DIY swapping of boxes as each one is registered to your account when installed. Just call VM and see what they can offer?

damo · 02-02-2012, 08:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth Vader

So why do VM ask for £75 for the V+ box and then still charge for the V+ service every month? Are customers paying £75 for the honour of borrowing the box whilst paying for the service? This wasn't explained to me in these terms when I originally agreed to having my V+ Box. I was left under the impression, I was purchasing the V+ Box for £75, is this not so?

No, £75 is the cost of renting the box from them for the term of your contract with them. You do not own anything.

quisquose · 02-02-2012, 08:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth Vader

So why do VM ask for £75 for the V+ box and then still charge for the V+ service every month? Are customers paying £75 for the honour of borrowing the box whilst paying for the service? This wasn't explained to me in these terms when I originally agreed to having my V+ Box. I was left under the impression, I was purchasing the V+ Box for £75, is this not so?

The £75 is an "installation fee". They charge it because they can. I have never paid one because I have always made it clear that if they want my custom, and by golly they've had a lot of money off me over the years, they shouldn't think about charging me a petty "installation fee".

Besides, an equivalent freesat/freeview box would probably cost 4 times more than £75, so thinking that you've bought it for that amount seems a bit optimistic.

Stranza · 02-02-2012, 08:53

This could be nothing to do with cable service. I know for a Sky box (not Sky plus) it has only one wire from the dish and when you upgrade a normal box to a Sky + they have to run another cable from the LNB on the dish. I would guess that isn't needed for V/ V+ because it's cable and wouldn't need the extra feed for two tuners.

My OH works for VM in the customer relations department and he doesn't think a box swap would work (he doesn't know about the V+/V feed) he said that VM pair each box to an account and they will not work on another account, apparently they get people calling to activate boxes bought on Ebay who end up threatening to cancel because they will only do it for the £49 fee and supply a new box.

alchresearch · 02-02-2012, 09:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by quisquose

They charge it because they can.

Just like all contracts are now 18 or 24 months rather than the standard 12. They have you over a barrel.

amy 20 · 02-02-2012, 09:13

Do you need a subscription card that you put in your box like sky ?

damo · 02-02-2012, 09:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by amy 20

Do you need a subscription card that you put in your box like sky ?

Not as far as I can remember, the boxes are linked to the account, not any type of viewing card like you get with Sky.

quisquose · 02-02-2012, 09:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by alchresearch

Just like all contracts are now 18 or 24 months rather than the standard 12. They have you over a barrel.

Maybe initially, but it's surprising how flexible they can be when you are free to move and you ring up to say "I'm fed up with paying £xxx and I'm thinking of moving".

Last year I negotiated 40% off what I was paying, provided I agreed to 12 months.

It does annoy me though, that utility companies, banks and insurance companies all take advantage of their customer's inertia in their pricing.

munster · 02-02-2012, 09:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth Vader

Will it work if you swap it for an ordinary box? Do you need to upgrade your service for it to work? I have a V+ box and want to replace my other box with a V+ one too. Could I do that with one I bought second-hand? Is it a case of just swapping it over?

Thanks in advance.

all you do is phone virgin say you want to upgrade to v+ they give box for free did us anyway you just pay for the v+ subscription virgin own boxes you rent them unlike sky where you buy it

shinyhappy68 · 02-02-2012, 09:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth Vader

Thanks, shinyhappy68. Do you know whether the V+ subscription will just work for the one box I already have, or should it work if I replace my second standard box with a V+? thanks.

You might need the card that slots on the back of box for it to work, but don't think it's any extra cost. I'm just going on the fact I have V+ box but downgraded subscription to standard tv when money got bit tight

. We still have box but not benefits of V+. Xx

quisquose · 02-02-2012, 09:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by shinyhappy68

You might need the card that slots on the back of box for it to work, but don't think it's any extra cost. I'm just going on the fact I have V+ box but downgraded subscription to standard tv when money got bit tight

. We still have box but not benefits of V+. Xx

Do you just lose the HD channels and the ability to record?

Do You still get the TV on demand (replay) programmes?

We use the latter, but not the former.

sjwilliams · 02-02-2012, 12:21

all v+ boxes need to have a code on your acc to function and every box has a smart card inserted in the box.
the 75 quid installation fee ive never heard of maybe a £49.95 but you could arrange a quickstart where vm post the box to you and you install it yourself all boxes have to be coded in for you t be able to access channels/on demand etc....
hope this helps

mkdr21 · 03-02-2012, 12:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by alchresearch

Just like all contracts are now 18 or 24 months rather than the standard 12. They have you over a barrel.

they only have you 'over a barrel' to the extent that you want cable TV. Its not electricity where you are truly locked into a uncompetitive market, there are free alternatives!