Matt Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 I had ZERO problems with NTL. It may be a coincidence, but over the last fortnight and more recently, Friday and today - I've experieced total loss and partial loss of my complete cable TV channels - including my Sky premium packages. And the channels that aren't "lost" are sticking and freezing and blacking out. Not only that but my broadband keeps going off. Did all the switching off and on business no difference. Called helpdesk - what a waste of my time, and the guys on the other end of the phone are getting paid for that? There are some serious administration problems in their help centre, not to mention training shortfalls. I explained my case to FIVE different people before I managed to schedule an engineer to come out - on wednesday morning. I'm pretty genned up on these things, I'm pretty sure the engineer will turn up on Weds and say "It's the exchange down the road, did nobody run a diagnostic?" My finger is on the VIRGIN OFF button and the other hand is poised over the SKY ON button. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie_J Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 I've only heard bad things about Virgin's TV service. Fortunately, it's not available where I live, so I couldn't get it even if I wanted to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardy Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 I was with NThell when i moved into my house, but i soon put a stop to that, they were charging me a ridiculous amount of money and i had internet access through the telly. It just didnt work for me, so i moved onto Sky, and i love it, the only problems i have had have been minor ones, apart from total cut off, but that wasnt anyones fault but my dads! I even collared two NTL lads outside my house a few year ago to run me some new cable through the living room, bunged em a tenner and they were happy as a pig in the preverbial! Im now on Sky+ and its the best ever invention, i love flickin channels then seeing something i aint seen for a while press record and carry on flicking! Its a god send with that bloody Enemadale, she records every one, but luckily watches them whilst i am out of the house, so i dont rip my own face off, due to watching it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StipeTripe Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 (edited) I had ZERO problems with NTL. It may be a coincidence, but over the last fortnight and more recently, Friday and today - I've experieced total loss and partial loss of my complete cable TV channels - including my Sky premium packages. And the channels that aren't "lost" are sticking and freezing and blacking out. Not only that but my broadband keeps going off. Did all the switching off and on business no difference. Called helpdesk - what a waste of my time, and the guys on the other end of the phone are getting paid for that? There are some serious administration problems in their help centre, not to mention training shortfalls. I explained my case to FIVE different people before I managed to schedule an engineer to come out - on wednesday morning. I'm pretty genned up on these things, I'm pretty sure the engineer will turn up on Weds and say "It's the exchange down the road, did nobody run a diagnostic?" My finger is on the VIRGIN OFF button and the other hand is poised over the SKY ON button. Think I said last week we changed to Sky. We were piddled off with he way they handled the Skyone thing, it was impossible to get a straight answer from them, on the sunday before they switched off a few minutes into 24 it went off and stayed off until 15 minutes into Lost. All other channels and BB were working, customer service said it must be an area fault, aye that only affected Skyone!! Spoke to a decent bloke in disconnections, after waiting with that crab tune for nearly an hour. He was formerly of Telewest and said he couldn't believe how bad some of the Ntl lot were. In the end we ditched the telly package, we had the movies/sports pack but he put it through so its cost us nowt and kept the phone and BB. We've ended up with a modem and 2mb BB, line rental with free calls 24/7 to UK landlines for 19.95. To be fair the guy though it was a massive mistake do what Virgin did. Anyway imo the picture quality is better on Sky, but then we had a dodgy Ntl box down the street, we had problems before Christmas which were because it when it rained water was getting in and interfering with the signal. Branson is a whiney little sod anyway, everytime he buys into something he comes accross as the peoples friend/champion, which he isn't in any way shape or form. Edited March 19, 2007 by StipeTripe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky_Latic Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 (edited) Anyone know if dodgy boxes work in area's were you cant get Sky. My 'mate' wants to know I'm sick to the back teeth of freeview, and Virgin. Edited March 19, 2007 by Rocky_Latic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaddymatt Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 We've ben on sky for years but keep threatening to get rid due to the cost. We pay £42 a month for that. I think it's really dear. Can anyone justify why I SHOULD pay that per month? (and don't just say footy or soccer am - that's not a good enough answer) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ackey Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 Back to Rummy's post... I have had NTL for a around a year (in two seperate addresses) and have never had a problem, since it became Virgin (and I see no reason for this) my connection has slowed to what at times is a crawl, and last night I lost it all together for about 6 hours, which when you're trying to research is a right pain! If it wasn't for the cost of having a BT line fitted I've have shot in seconds! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAV Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 (edited) Back to Rummy's post... I have had NTL for a around a year (in two seperate addresses) and have never had a problem, since it became Virgin (and I see no reason for this) my connection has slowed to what at times is a crawl, and last night I lost it all together for about 6 hours, which when you're trying to research is a right pain! If it wasn't for the cost of having a BT line fitted I've have shot in seconds! As i told Rummy phone em up,give it em all barrells,spout crap like you have never spouted before,my connection is like superman getting changed since i 'had a word'..........and mention the SKY word......... Edited March 19, 2007 by oafc2004 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ackey Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 I've got a techie coming out on Thursday now... if it doesn't get better then I get moody! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tactically_naive Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 My finger is on the VIRGIN OFF button and the other hand is poised over the SKY ON button. Beware the Dark Side young Skywalker! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeslover Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 I can't get cable, but if anyone is up for forming a knacking squad for Branson, count me in. One cheese grater application to his neck for every minute of my life I've lost due to his abysmal train service, not to mention the downright ignorant attempt at customer service..... GRRRRRR I hate him more than any other public figure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted March 19, 2007 Author Share Posted March 19, 2007 As i told Rummy phone em up,give it em all barrells,spout crap like you have never spouted before,my connection is like superman getting changed since i 'had a word'..........and mention the SKY word......... Done that... I've got a techie coming out on Thursday now... if it doesn't get better then I get moody! Yep, that too... I can't get cable, but if anyone is up for forming a knacking squad for Branson, count me in. One cheese grater application to his neck for every minute of my life I've lost due to his abysmal train service, not to mention the downright ignorant attempt at customer service..... GRRRRRR I hate him more than any other public figure. I'm up for that... It all rests on this "engineer" - Pffft! Don't make me laugh! I'm sorry if there are any cable engineers present, but they use the NTL equivalent of the NHS Direct Online service. "Is there a green light on?" *oily rag pokes laptop keyboard with one finger* N - O. "The set top box is not plugged in..." Anyway, it all rest on this engineer like I said, that'll arrive Wednesday AM. If he spouts bollox, I'll be all over him like a cheap suit. Then that's it. I've been given the Green Light by the missus, Sky here we come... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardy Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 If anyone is in need of a "Special Box" i have a friend who can accomodate!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie_J Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 Anyway, it all rest on this engineer like I said, that'll arrive Wednesday AM. In theory... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StipeTripe Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 TBH Rummy I've never actually had a problem with an Ntl engineer once they arrive, we've had a few visits over the years we have been with Ntl since it was Cable & Wireless and had the old analogue box. It always been the customer service thats a pain, if you do go for disconnection I can PM you a number which takes you through to the service centre in Sheffield, I think I also still have the extension number for the bloke who sorted us out, who was so unlike the usual Ntl employee it wasn't true. As an aside I have Ntl business at work, when you ring that customer service it always get answered quickly and thus far, sorted efficiently. I quizzed the bloke above about this he simply said its cos Ntl run it as a seperate business and put more resources into it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Becketts Anchor Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 I've been on NTL / Virgin for 6 years now, with only occasional problems. Although it has been better since I got a silver Samsung box to replace the crappy black Pace one. Channels can freeze now and again, but a soft reset clears that. The broadband rarely drops now. It is too dear though, but Sky is the same. Virgin have some great offers if you only want the basic TV package. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StipeTripe Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 I've been on NTL / Virgin for 6 years now, with only occasional problems. Although it has been better since I got a silver Samsung box to replace the crappy black Pace one. We've now got the crappy black pace one under the stairs just in case we decide to return to Virgin!!!! My Sister got a Samsung one, mainly cos the Pace once was sparking with the DVD player, nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted March 20, 2007 Author Share Posted March 20, 2007 I shall report on the engineer tomorrow, then I'm gonna decide - Sky or Virgin... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted March 21, 2007 Author Share Posted March 21, 2007 The engineer was a good bloke - I've got my channels back. However, the on demand thingy isn't working... That's yer lot Virgin. See you later... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ackey Posted March 22, 2007 Share Posted March 22, 2007 My Engineer is due here before 12... My net is working, but cuts out randomly... I too will let you know how it goes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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