(Shocked and Delighted)

[Goofysmate]

Booked with Virgin today and low and behold I had the most nice and helpful person ever on the other end of the phone at the Virgin call centre.
Which was wonderful. The last two occasions of calling them in the space of two weeks I ended up with Mrs Could'nt Care Less, which nearly put us off booking with Virgin as we have never had before from them and was begining to wonder if they did'nt want my business any more.
My DH is still convinced I dialed a wrong number.

 

[Minniespal]

Excellent news

 

[Claire L]

I must say there are some people who are deidcated and know their jobs, but it is the Indian call centres who have the problems due to the language barrier half the time!

Claire

 

[schumigirl]

The girl when we booked with virgin was lovely as well. Couldn`t have been more helpful But...... when we had a problem with travel insurance which was showing online that we didn`t have it, we got through to a foreign call centre and that was Bad Really bad, the guy couldn`t care less and he kept saying to my DH he couldn`t understand him and hung up! Got it sorted now finally through reservations and again the girl was lovely. But it really puts you off when you know it`s a foreign call centre.

 

[fizz13]

I know what you mean, I rang Virgin yesterday and got to speak to an Englsih call centre. the guy couldn't have been more friendly, although i wonder if he was bored as he seemed to want to have a good old chat, seemd like i was being chatted up at one point
Still, my point is i was very impressed with virgin yesterday

 

[MorningGlory]

I know what you mean, I rang Virgin yesterday and got to speak to an Englsih call centre. the guy couldn't have been more friendly, although i wonder if he was bored as he seemed to want to have a good old chat, seemd like i was being chatted up at one point
Still, my point is i was very impressed with virgin yesterday

I used to work in a call centre (well, a 'contact' centre...I worked for Customs in the VAT advice centre). I also worked in the Debt Management Unit during my 12 year career there, and during that time I had to deal with alot of difficult people. In some ways our job was more difficult than your average call centre, as we had people who weren't buying a service, they were paying a tax. And in some cases, they had problems with their tax through no genuine fault of their own.

I learned (although I think it's already in my nature) that it is much easier, pleasant and productive to be nice to people when you're dealing with them. It can be hard work sometimes, and frustrating. Ultimately though, it's much less stressful and sometimes rewarding

 

[amystevekai&bump]

I've worked in call centres as well and would admit they aren't the easiest places to work and remain happy on the phone at all times!

But Virgin really don't help themselves - I spent all day (literally!) on the phone to them on Tuesday and received no less than 5 different quotes for the same holiday - the price varied by up to £700!!!!

I was in tears (of anger and frustration) by the end of the day - until a Supervisor finally took control and sorted it out for me

I did book with them (I hope I don't live to regret it!!) but I'd gotten to the point I just wanted my holiday finally booked!!!

Anyway I wish anyone the best of luck when dealing with them - and just remember that if they give you a quote that looks too good to be true - then it probably is!!!

 

[saratogagirl]

I tend to find that I never have a problem booking the holiday, I normally get a friendly helpful person then.

However, if there is a prolem, or an amendment to be made after booking I usually end up with Mr or Mrs couldn't care less who usually doesn't understand me.

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

This is of a lot of interest to me as the next holiday I want to book I will have to ring up to do because I want to part pay with Tesco clubcard vouchers. I am concerned my call will end up in India with someone who doesn't understand.

 

[jowan]

Thats nice to hear, unfortunately we had the same 'couldn't care attitude' when booking for jan 07. Still went with them but would think twice next time as the service wasn't too good compared with the last time we used them.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

This is of a lot of interest to me as the next holiday I want to book I will have to ring up to do because I want to part pay with Tesco clubcard vouchers. I am concerned my call will end up in India with someone who doesn't understand.

Hi - call me slow, but I didn't know about the Clubcard vouchers!!! I booked my Virgin Holiday on Monday - could I still use tesco's vouchers to pay some of the balance????

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

I believe you pay the deposit with cash and some or all of the balance at the same time with clubcard vouchers. You cannot add vouchers after booking unfortunately. So if you want to use vouchers you need to have them sorted before booking, to me that is also a worry just in case you get your vouchers and then find the dates you wanted aren't available. Have you checked Tesco site? Lots of info there about the holidays, there are even cruises available now, plus Virgin hols and Cosmos also.

 

[angel659]

Hi

I had no problems speaking to VH. The operators were really friendly and helpful. I have not had any problems with them other than when I was put through to an Indian Call Centre. She couldnt understand what I wanted so she put me through to someone else.

 

[diddldonna]

I have always had excellent service from virgin and rubbish service from other companies? I seem to always get english call centres i think and they have been very helpful. I can't remember which number i called but someone on here mentioned a while ago that Virgin has several number of letters and brouchers and one of them gets you through to english call centre and another abroad somewhere??? If anyone can confirm this it would be helpful to know.

Donna

 

[Claire L]

Hi - call me slow, but I didn't know about the Clubcard vouchers!!! I booked my Virgin Holiday on Monday - could I still use tesco's vouchers to pay some of the balance????

No I am afraid you can't and if you had any discounts as well you would lose them as you cannot combine the two.

Claire

 

[Ali and boyz]

I have just spoke to a really nice person in the special requirment department of MY travel

Paul (Morning Glory) not long until you go now

 

[zippyhannah]

i work in a call center for virgin media now it can be a bit depressing but 98% of staff will do all they can for you and i do appologise that u did find somp of the virgin staff unhelpfull

 

[amystevekai&bump]

No I am afraid you can't and if you had any discounts as well you would lose them as you cannot combine the two.

Claire

Oh thanks Claire, thats made me feel better - Virgin ended up giving me £500 off of my holiday because of all the misquotes I was given - so at least I know I wouldn't of been able to use my tescos vouchers anyway after that!! Otherwise I'd have felt I'd lost out !!