After being their customer for around 12 months, with a reasonable connection (good speed, reasonable latency, few faults), I decided to cancel my Virgin Media service, since I was moving to an area with no cable.

I of course expected this to be no problem, since they would not be able to offer the same service where I was moving to. Not for Virgin Media. In their view, the fact that I'm moving is my fault, and I was expected to carry out my full 18 month contract or face early termination fees.

My two options were, apparently, to either sign up for a new 12 month contract (!) for an inferior service (ADSL only, and no TV) or pay early termination fees. After much arguing and many attempts at reducing the amount to be more in line with the reduction of service I'd be facing, I gave up, coughed up the entire sum, and swore never to use their services again.

They have gained around £180 in termination fees, but they've lost a customer for life, even when I invariably move to an area with their cable service.