URGENT Orange Ending Free 0800 calls

Stabilo

tOpCaT wrote:

Stabilo, can you explain how you achieved this? Who did you email and had you already been trying to negotiate something beforehand?

See http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=101715 which was started by pricefighter 13th Oct. The thread was closed a few days ago, because Martin started another thread.

In summary, I emailed CEO's office towards the end of Oct because customer services didn't (still don't) know anything about the freephone bundle. After exchange of emails the CEO's office promised to give the bundle FOC for 1 year. I believe others have the bundle until the end of their current contract period.

You need to grovel and say I only use Orange because of the freephone facilities etc. They will counter with, we are now inline with all the other providers. Just say it was their unique selling point (USP) and without it they are in breach of contract i.e. infinite price increase. They should then offer the bundle FOC.

Good luck.

tOpCaT_3

Ok thanks a lot for that. I guess it might take a little while during which I will not have free 0800 calling, but I'll certainly give it a go!

marko4ever25

tOpCaT wrote:

Ok thanks a lot for that. I guess it might take a little while during which I will not have free 0800 calling, but I'll certainly give it a go!

yes i did this too iv eto call back on 1st dec and they will apply a 0800 bundle

Stabilo

Received a call from CEO's office today (I am honoured). Yes the bundle has been applied but I will still hear the recorded message (10p per minute........) because it is technically too difficult to remove for specific accounts.

The company I work for was advised by CS that their corporate account still has freephone access. They indicated that ALL corporate accounts will retain freephone access. Can anyone else confirm this?

Suggest if private accounts don't get freephone access you should open a corporate account (could only apply to existing corporate accounts though). It would make a change to hear 'existing customers only'.

pault123

Upon calling my freephone bank customer service and hearing the "this call will be charged at 10 p a minute" i hung up and dialled 150. Went through to billing enquiries to be told this is the new call charge.

I explained this was a breach of contract as per 3.4.1 and I wanted to cancel my contract. The lady said they state also in their terms and conditions they may increase their call charges at any time, and the freephone calls have been increased to 10p in line with oftel rulings.

I explained I had numerous friends (read about the Freephone bundle on money saving expert in reality) who had the Freephone Bundle. She denied all knowledge of this and explained she worked on "Frontline" all freephone calls are now charged with no exceptions and doesn't know how my friends would have this feature.

I explained my friends had spoke to a supervisor and had this applied to the account. She put me on hold.

10 minutes later "Thats no problem sir I have applied the 'FOC Freephone bundle' this is how it will appear on your bill. You will still hear the message stating the call will be charged at 10p, as we can't remove this now, but on your bill they will be free of charge"

"This is applied for 12 months, but if you upgrade your phone or change your tarif you will lose it"

I can confirm im on the Select 500 so anyone on this tarif can request the FOC freephone bundle, I presume all orange tarifs that previously got free freephone calls can too call up and complain!

Hope this is useful.

Persevere their very cagey and 'as a matter of fact' about it, demand they speak to a supervisor as all your friends have this applied to their account.

:T :A :money: :j :beer: :cool:

Stabilo

Glad you got the bundle pault123.

pault123

Just got a sim update after finished on the phone with orange.
Check the online account screenshot, proof orange are lying through their teeth to you >>



"FREEPHONE NON CALLING CARD" the official title. 1899 is back on!

Thanks Stabilo, always like to know im on the best deal.

mobilegossip

If you waiting for your bundle to be added or you want to phone other NGN numbers without be charged. The Simply Fone Access Numbers 07744 97 4116. 4404.4333.etc now allow you to call 0845/0870/ and 0800/0808 out of your inclusive minutes.

ericpode

"This is applied for 12 months, but if you upgrade your phone or change your tarif you will lose it"

Is that a full 12 months from now, or until the end of you contract?

I spoke to them today and they were only willing to apply it until the end of my contract - which is pretty soon anyway!

Were you offered "until the end of your contract" first, or did you get a full 12 months straight away?

pault123

Hi Ericpode

Its 12 months from now, my contract renews around July, so infact it is a good deal.

Ring them back tell them how come all your friends who use orange have it for 12 months from now, demand to speak to a supervisor.

I was offered the full 12 months straight away. I mentioned term 4.3.1 as well, and could I cancel my contract because they are in breach of it.