With the credit crunch in full swing, it’s only natural that people will look for ways to save money.  Right now every little helps, and it was with this thought in mind that I decided to investigate cutting my broadband package to a lower tier.

As it transpires, Virgin Media dropped the basic (4Mb?) package and so I was on the lowest price anyway, but while investigating package options I discovered that the same package was available for new broadband customers – after an introductory discount – for £20 a month.

Whereas I, as a loyal customer of roughly seven years, have the priviledge of paying £25 a month.

I called Virgin and asked about this, and the basic response is that, yes the same package is available cheaper, but because it was £25 when I changed to it (I was on a higher tarrif), that’s what I’m stuck with paying.

Since they won’t drop the price for me, and I can’t simply cancel and rejoin (apparently I have to be a non-customer for 6 months) I’ve decided to cancel the package altogether.  My housemate will add broadband to their existing package and I’ll pay the difference, saving me £10 a month – fair recompense for the £5 a month Virgin Media have been overcharging me.

So Virgin are going to lose more money in the long run.  They’ve lost me as a customer and income from this household will be £10 a month lower than before while they supply the exact same services.

Check your bills and see what’s available via the Virgin Media website.  If you can cancel and re-open using another member of the household, you may be able to save yourself some cash.