pay as you go

[Maverick]

I use pay-as-you-go I buy a 100-dollar card that is good for a year. As pay, as you go implies you pay by the minute in my case however they charge me 15 dollars a month whether I use it or not for that 15 dollars I get 10 free minutes if it was truly paid as you go those 10 minutes would cost $3.30 at 33 cents a minute. this should be against the law maybe it is I should check into it. anyway, what they say is pay-as-you-go is an outright lie and I am looking for a different provider. I am disabled and rarely go out so I have a landline but need a cell when I'm out or in the hospital. Does anybody know of a cheaper service?

[Soddinbobbin]

Sorry to hear of your troubles. It should be way better in Canada to get affordable cell/home phone and internet service but we are dominated by three very profit-oriented companies who control any competition by squeezing them out or threatening to raise their already unfair rates under the guise of 'cuz Canada big' nonsense. Australia has very similar population densities and land expanses yet has far better pricing. Why? Because of competition! Here, we get three empires that put out 'flanker' companies to give the impression of competition but it's just their own services under a different name. No competition, just less services. Virgin = Bell. Koodo = Telus. Fido = Rogers. There are also '2nd flankers'. Public Mobile = Telus. Lucky mobile = Bell. Chatr mobile = Rogers. These are the best deal but come with zero bonuses and might be limited in coverage areas. We are not loved in Canada.

[VirginPlusAntgio]

Hey there @Maverick, 

Welcome to the Community and thanks for your post. 

While we understand where you're coming from, back in March 2022 you would have received a communication via text message advising you that your $0.00/month pay as you go rate plan was being updated to the new $15/month prepaid plan service. 

Keep an eye on VirginPlus.ca at Virgin Plus Prepaid Plans to see other options that may better suit your needs.

Let the community know if you have more questions.

[1231]

I have been with Virgin Mobile for about 10 years,,, Very satisfied with $100 / year top up price.. but over the years, the monthly fee has gone from 0/mth , $5 / mth, $10/mth  and recently $15/mth.. that makes the real value of a 1 year $100 top up card , worth about only $10 for a year !!!  totally, totally unacceptable..  When I called to question this, I was told that I didn;t sign a contract , so Virgin could do anything they wanted... Not an response that would encourage anyone to stay with Virgin.. Sadly , as of the end of Oct, I have decided to move on from Virgin Mobile. 

[Soddinbobbin]

This is typical of Bell not Virgin. Sad really but it was only a matter of time. Hiding rate increases deep inside a bill where few people look as they just pay the bill is sneaky and reprehensible. Rate increases should be a notification not a line in a bill. Underhanded at best and has happened twice to me in the last twelve months for a whopping 20% increase. When I called to ask about it the rep smugly said it was in my January bill. He sounded like he was enjoying his power. I so miss the old Virgin. Best service reps. Now they outsource to the Philippines to people who don't know the ins and outs of the service. At least they're friendlier than the local reps.