www.iva.co.uk

Well, having successfully changed my home insurance to a different and cheaper provider on a monthly payment plan without a hitch, I am now going to try and switch from Sky to Virgin as that too is cheaper and a better service, free HD channels and free unlimited broadband plus it's got the catch up TV and the like. It would save me £6 per month, albeit a £49 set up fee.

Wish me luck! I'll let you know how I get on.

I hope you get to change Cath, I note a lot are doing free HD now, I hope that Sky catches up with that soon. x

Hope you get it Cath and let us know what its like. I'm with Sky for SkyHD, broadboand, telephone calls etc...I'd change if I could get a cheaper deal with the same service.

Oh no, not Virgin - I'd rather go without TV! Just be warned that their customer service is appalling and I've read loads of complaints about them...

I'll look into that Skippy, I spoke to the sales team tonight and they were fine but I guess that's the sales team and not customer service.

It seems to be the billings that most people have problems with. I've seen a post on another forum from someone who has to phone every month to have their bill corrected. I used to work for them, and they sent me a bill 9 years after I left for services I didn't have!

When we moved I phoned them and asked if we could have digital services here and the guy I was speaking to had was about to book the appointment when I asked him when they switched to digital in this area. He asked me what I meant so I told him I used to work for them when they were Telewest and as far as I was aware the area wasn't digital.

He went away and spoke to a manager and then came back and told me I could only have their analogue TV and no broadband! Needless to say I wasn't interested!

I was with Telewest before they got taken over by Virgin but switched to Sky as Virgin didn't have Sky1. Now they have a better offering, so we shall see!

Let us know how you get on - things must have improved by now!

Must admit that my TV service is something I wouldn't change. I love Sky, and if BT continue to be crap, I shall be changing my phone and broadband over to them as well.

My only gripe wth Sky is that they offer cut price deals to new customers and existing customers get nothing. Unless you phone up and threaten to leave Sky!

Reminds me of the advert..." brand new customers only" [:D]

We did well with our HD box - got it for £15 and free fitting as daughter had alread paid for an HD box previously.

I agree but I think most companies are like that now. Dave wanted to upgrade his mobile last week, but Vodafone wanted to charge him for the phone he wanted, even though he's been with them 10 years and pays £35 a month - apparently they go on usage and not how much you pay! He went to Carphone Warehouse and got the phone for free and a better deal - still with Vodafone!

I have to say hell will freeze over before I give any money to Virgin Media!!!

You're probably right Skip, its not just Sky who treat existing customers poorly.

You just have to shop around for the best deal, loyalty counts for nothing.

I think every company is the same, once they've got you they're not bothered!

Have to say that I've never had a real problem with Sky and Atlantic Gas and Electricity have brilliant customer service - and it's British as well!

I used to be with Virgin at my old house, but when I moved I had to switch to Sky as my area hasn't got cable. Although I have no real problem with Sky, i much preferred Virgin as their on demand service is loads better. Also I never had a problem with their customer service.