To think I shouldn't have to give 30 days notice to my broadband provider if I am out of contract?

[Singinginshower]

I have just changed provider, as my previous one doubled it's monthly charge. I has assumed that it would be a straight swap, that I would start paying my new provider from today, and pay my old one up to today.
However I was informed that I still have to continue to pay for my old one (Virgin) for the next 30 days.

Yes you do, your contract will automatically roll over if you don’t ask for it to be cancelled

Virgin are a complete shower of sh*te. The end.

Once all my contracts are up,I shall take my custom elsewhere. It’s taken me 3 weeks to end one contract. Meanwhile calling everyday, waiting on hold for at least 45 minutes, only to be told there’s no other way to end my contract, if I don’t know my telephone password. Said password reminder was sent to my old address miles away, to a property I no longer own or have access to. They then had the audacity to charge me for late payment as I was forced to cancel the direct debit. Never again!

It's a case of "read the contract". You would have signed up for their terms and conditions, so it's unreasonable to complain about them when they don't suit you.

30 days notice is pretty standard procedure for monthly services. Think kindle, netflix etc if you pay monthly for a service you typically have to give 30 days notice.

It's standard practice with those sort of contracts but yes, it's absolute crap!

YABU. Is it the first time you’ve had broadband? 30 days is standard post-contract.

No it's not the first time I have had broadband.

This doesn't happen with insurance policies, TV licences etc. Why should it be allowed for internet companies to profit when the required 12 months or so is up?

Because these are the terms and conditions that the provider offered and which you accepted.

Presumably they also have to do some work when disconnecting your line. They need a reasonable period of time to do that, they can’t do it on the day you call them OP!!

You should have called them 30 days before the end of your contract to cancel.

It’s the same with all utilities, broadband, water, gas and electric. All of these come on a rolling contract. Imagine the uproar if people found themselves without heating because they forgot to renew their contract for the year.

I am glad not to have the administrative burden, of renewing everything every year!!