Orange to start charging for calls to 0500/0800/0808 Freephone Numbers.

bbb_uk

pricefighter wrote:

Once you are notified officially of the increase on the next bill, would seem to be a good time to try and start to get out of the contact.Would it not? Or can anyone forsee any problems with this.

So long as you do it within 2weeks from the official notification because although you get a month to get out of the contract you have to give them at least 14 days written notice prior to your billing date.

Therefore, if your billing date 1st November and that's when you officially get informed of the increase then you only have until about 15th because you need to give them 2 weeks notice before your next billing date (1st December). I can imagine any notification after 15th would obviously have to be accepted as still within the month but it could be a month and a half before they close your account (not the 1st December but 1st January).

Remember to send letter off recorded delivery though so you know when it gets to Orange in case they say they never received it or didn't get it in time, etc.

You could tell a few porkies that you consulted trading standards over this and they agree.

Steve_xx

There could potentially be a problem with early contract termination. What if you got your handset/contract via Carphone Warehouse or E2saveor some other company with staggered cash redemption offers? These rely on you sending several of the monthly bills to them in order to trigger a cashback payment. If you cancelled your contract early you might find that you would lose your entitlement to your cashback, wouldn't you?

charlie12

Steve_xx wrote:

There could potentially be a problem with early contract termination. What if you got your handset/contract via Carphone Warehouse or E2saveor some other company with staggered cash redemption offers?

Oh yes definitely. Many cashback T&Cs state that you need to stay the full length of the contract in order to claim the full cashback. However, sometimes the cashback is paid earlier, like in the first couple of months, or maybe twice in a year term.

People have to decide whether it's worth doing depending on their circumstances. Non-cashback contracts are obviously ideal, but cashback contracts can also benefit from early contract termination if part or all of the cashback has already been paid.

EDIT: scrapped my example, it's too complicated

Steve_xx

Yes I understand your point. But many of the cashback schemes seem to include the 12th bill, which in normal circumstances would be the last contractually.

But, having said that, I just had a quick look at a random DialaPhone deal on 3. It's an 18 month contract and for part of the cashback they want the 15th months' bill.

That's really what I was getting at

charlie12

Yeah, but as I say, it's dependent on each individual's circumstances. There are all sorts of cashback deals with different terms out there.

Even if all the cashback is paid out in the final month, it still may be worth ending the contract early without claiming any of the cashback. For example if you have received a free (or reduced price) handset that is worth more than the total amount of line rental you have paid to date.

Steve_xx

Also consider that if you cancel with Orange because they don't allow 0800, then neither do the others.

charlie12

Steve_xx wrote:

Also consider that if you cancel with Orange because they don't allow 0800, then neither do the others.

I don't think many people would cancel purely down to the fact that freefone numbers are no longer free, but primarily because it would enable them to end their contracts early without penalty, which is a more attractive proposition to many. Indeed, many will start another new contract with Orange, as offers to new customers are often significantly better than for existing customers.

The 0800 issue is merely a leveraging tactic, it's the <potential> loophole many of us dream for.

As you know there are many other ways to get cheap/inclusive minute calls from most mobile tariffs from any network with a bit of fiddling with alternate providers. The 0800 option is now closed to us Moneysavers but there are always others.

2ax

Why do I keep reading posts on several threads about people wanting to close down contracts, based on flimsy reasoning?

I'm sorry to argue, charlie12, but if you manage to cancel a contract with Orange on these grounds, then it is hypocritical to then apply for another.

2ax

charlie12 wrote:

Oh yes definitely. Many cashback T&Cs state that you need to stay the full length of the contract in order to claim the full cashback. However, sometimes the cashback is paid earlier, like in the first couple of months, or maybe twice in a year term.

On another thread, not far away, someone has been surcharged for ending the contract early. Cancelling on the grounds of spending a bit more on a couple of 0800 numbers is hardly worth the risk of a £120 bill, whatever the arguments or chances of success in the latter case.

charlie12

I'm only making conversation here, 2ax. I have no doubt that Orange will find a way to get out of this, but there's nothing wrong with friendly discussion, is there?

I'm certainly not keeping my hopes up, but it won't stop me having a chat

As for the hypocrisy, lol, realistically people on here will do whatever it takes to save money. Fair enough if you think that's hypocritial but you'll find many worse examples on this forum.