Early Disconnection Fee

[#1]

My contract with Virgin ends on the 27th of this month, I chose to give 30 days notice instead of the One Touch Switch option

I booked my Plusnet engineer date for the 25th of this month. 

As soon as I did that, I received a email from Virgin stating - 

Plusnet let us know that you’re thinking about switching your Broadband over to them. Although we hope you change your mind, here’s everything you need to know about switching.

£18.78 Early Disconnection Fee As you're currently still in contract with us, an Early Disconnection Fee (EDF) will apply if you choose to switch providers at this time. This is a contractual obligation and must be paid. If the EDF is not paid, your account may be referred to a debt collection agency which could have a serious impact on your credit rating. Any bundle charges, usage fees or outstanding bills will also be calculated separately based on your switch date.

I found this email quite vague, what is 'at this time' supposed to mean? I am due to leave Virgin at the end of my contract on the 27th anyway, so why has a EDF even been calculated?

Do I need to contact Plusnet to change the engineer date so that I don't get charged the EDF, or will I even be charged this EDF? Just don't know what to make of this 

[#2]

Is the 25th a confirmed date, or one you asked for. If it is not confirmed, it ay not happen if Openreach don't have engineer availability. What service have you asked PN for?

[#3]

Thanks for the reply, the 25th is not a confirmed date yet, PN says they will confirm in the next 2 working days and it is a full fibre broadband installation 

[#4]

OK. Then it may be later, depending on engineer availability - you won't know until it is confirmed.

[#5]

But surely the Plusnet engineer date shouldn't determine the Virgin contract end date, correct me if I'm wrong. That's why I'm confused about this EDF stuff

[#6]

It doesn't, but Virgin hate loosing customers, so use scare tactics. Until PN  confirm the OR appointment, you don't know when your service will be connected, but don't be surprised if VM  cut you off on the 25th.  You really should have used the OTS system, but there is nothing you can do now.

[#7]

Moderators Note

This topic has been moved from Broadband to My Order

[#8]

@Kojak 

Definitely a scare tactic. As you pay in advance, you have already paid up until  the 27th. Consequently, any penalty charges will be in the form in a big reduction in the amount that Virgin are due to refund you for any days between when you leave and the 27th..

[#9]

@Kojak 

On the assumption that you gave Virgin the required 30 days notice (so you told them on 28th May that you wanted their service to end on 27th June) I suggest you phone up Virgin and ask them to confirm that your service from them is ending on 27th June and they will be generating your final bill to that date.

They may well be tricky about this but if you push they should confirm this (I suggest you ask for an email). Also ask them to send the bag so you can send their router back.

The Plusnet install is a bit more uncertain. At best you might get it a couple of days before the Virgin service ends. At worst you may have a gap of no service.