changing o2 tariff (slightly more complex than it sounds)

wickleashley

First post, though I've lurked these hallowed boards for a wee while now, so anyway here goes...

My girlfriend's o2 contract expired a few months ago but she's stuck with it for a few more months now. Went into Carphone Warehouse today though to find out if she was eligible for any nice handset upgrades and because of her low monthly spend, they all cost a fortune!

The nice lady said that although she could quite easily transfer her number across to a new network and take out a new contract for new customers (and hence a free and very nice handset) she couldn't simply start anew with o2 and get one of their much better offers for new customers (She wants to stick with o2 as everyone we know are with them).

I know all the networks want to attract new customers but would it be possible to get a transfer number from o2 and then go back to o2 as a 'new customer' and start a new contract with a nice new free handset (and probably half price line rental and the like, too)?

Has anyone else ever had similar issues?

philyau

transfer to virgin PAYG and then a week later after its sorted port it back to o2.

phil

smcicr

yup - exactly like philyau said - doesn't have to be virgin though - just do a hunt for any free sim other than o2 and away you go

Woby_Tide

not all the others release the number as quick as Virgin though, lot of the other networks hold you for a month, Virgin is literally days

lifesachallenge

Have you actually tried calling 02 retentions and telling them you are going to take your business to 3 or Orange and see if they will give you handset to keep you?

kirstyreanne

Hi,

Phone o2 cancellations. I did yesterday & they asked me why I was leaving. I told them I was after a particular phone & could get it cheaper elsewhere.

They ended up offering me the D500 free & knocking £10 off my monthly bill so I now have the o2 online 200 package for just £15 per month.

Be worth trying anyway.

iceburn

wickleashley wrote:

First post, though I've lurked these hallowed boards for a wee while now, so anyway here goes...

My girlfriend's o2 contract expired a few months ago but she's stuck with it for a few more months now. Went into Carphone Warehouse today though to find out if she was eligible for any nice handset upgrades and because of her low monthly spend, they all cost a fortune!
Has anyone else ever had similar issues?

that is the mistake "going" to CPW for the upgrade, it will be expensive. Call 02 direct it will normally be cheaper. but also if say it is O2 from CPW you can get the PAC and transfer the number to O2 retail store, O2 online etc. Since it is a different service provider.

frankie1star

Does this work with Orange? As I have problems with upgrading with them, actually can get a better deal by signing up as a new customer and they told me I would get a better deal going somewhere else! So should I port my No to Virgin and then go back to Orange!

iceburn

Frankie boy, what you can do being with orange is as follows. You call up and say you want your PAC code cause you seen a better deal. They will pass you to customer relentions who depending on your net worth with them, they will offer you a selection of special tariff to keep you with them. If they still do not offer the offer you want but offer it as new, you can say thank you but no thank you I just want my PAC you give it to virgin pay as you go, once it transfer over, wait a couple of weeks, request the PAC from them and you can than move back to Orange on the new customer offer you wanted at the beginning.

frankie1star

am not sure my worth is up to negotiating thats why they aren't bothered which is why i am looking at different providers. Its only because I have been with Orange for such a long time that makes me not want to change. Have a good deal with 3 which I have heard mixed reports about and 02. Anyway thanks for advice and I am GIRL

iceburn

hi frankie girl :-) (nb sorry if you got offended me saying frankie boy it was just a figure of speech ;-). Anyway I don't know your call pattern but have you seen O2 I-mode traiff at the moment?