Recommend a network other than Virgin?

hogweed

I've been with Virgin for many years, simply because I was with T-Mobile and they took them over. Once Branson got his snout in the trough, as with all Virgin enterprises customer service was abolished. It’s got so bad now that even I, the laziest person known, have had enough and want to change all 3 of our phones.

Can anyone recommend a provider which does the following:

1. Comprehensible bills;
2. Discount (especially on texts) for frequently used numbers;
3. Has a Customer Service department, rather than a bunch of rude children?

Thanks :cool:

sporedude

Come to O2, We have cookies and ice cream.

hotkee

you dont work for o2, sporedude ?? Never had any cookies or ice cream from o2 and am not happy!

sporedude

Lol I dont work for them, pretty good network, Good CS and good coverage

Buzby

(1) Deal with the organ grinder, not the monkey. Avoid 'virtual' networks, and stick with the network that actually provides the infrastructure you will use.
(2) Work out for yourself which of the remaining networks provide you with the coverage required at your most important locations. Only actual experience will ensure you don't make a mistake.
(3) forget about signing up to any contract that locks you into a minimum period in excess of 60 days.

Tigert

Since when did Virgin take over T-Mobile? If you were with T-Mobile, you could have stayed with them.

T-Mobile are a completely different company to Virgin. Virgin just use T-Mobiles network.

Strange that you think their customer service is bad as most people think they are one of the best.

Anyway, if you have network coverage, I agree with the others, go with O2. I have always had good service from them.

If customer service is important, I suggest you avoid Three. There customer service is abysmal.

[Deleted User]

T-Mobile never got taken over by Virgin.

Come to Orange - we're lovely

hogweed

Tigert wrote: »

Since when did Virgin take over T-Mobile? If you were with T-Mobile, you could have stayed with them.

It's what I was told when it happened...

Tigert wrote: »

Strange that you think their customer service is bad as most people think they are one of the best.

Hhmmm, never felt in a position to say what most people think about anything, myself. Oh well.

Crazy_Jamie

I've been with Orange for close to two years now (having moved from O2) and can't fault them. Good deals, great deals on retentions if you push them hard enough (I'm currently paying £10 for a £35 tariff, and that is with my first renewal). There have been a few niggles, but nothing that wasn't sorted out quickly and efficiently. The only issue that crops up seems to be with their technical support. Ordinary customer services people are great in my experience, but the technical support struggle to get an English sentence out. This could well be the same across the board though.

In terms of what you specifically need, there aren't discounts in texts for using the same numbers, but Dolphin plans give unlimited texts automatically, and are very affordable depending on how much you call. You've also got magic numbers that give free calls to other designated Orange mobiles, which would no doubt suit you (it certainly suits me with my girlfriend and best friend both on Orange). You can also download full itemised bills online for free.

PotatoPotato

sporedude wrote: »

Come to O2, We have cookies and ice cream.

Cookies and ice cream?
WHERE WHERE?

I think for o2, its really expensive to join up as a brand new customer now. They used to be ok, even Vodafone is cheaper than them :eek:!

The only way i've seen people get good deals was being on sim only £20 for 3 months, then they get given good offers as a "existing customer" via retentions.

But for the service o2 offer, its not bad. For eg: picture messages = 4 inclusive messages, Video calling = 1 inclusive minute. Also unlocked and minimal branded phones and good Customer Service. However i've noticed i've been waiting a little longer than usual recently, prob picked busiest times to call or o2 is really popular :rolleyes:.

However, I agree with Orange's customer service being really good and pleasant. They also offer unlimited texts for £20 x 18 months. (Dolphin package previously mentioned). Orange are very cheeky with the added "1 month free trial" stuff that you need to cancel, otherwise it'll run over and get charged .

P.S: Vodafone you need to be on the phone for like 30 mins (if your lucky) to even speak to someone! But people end up going on their Eforum, which has a very helpful team to compensate for that .

Crazy_Jamie

Orange are very cheeky with the added "1 month free trial" stuff that you need to cancel, otherwise it'll run over and get charged

This is true. Didn't happen with me on Racoon, but did happen to my girlfriend on Dolphin 20. Except she wasn't told about the free trial, something which is worryingly increasingly common. We found out by chance when actually speaking to customer services, and to their credit the extra charges (three or four months worth) for the web package were removed and what she had already paid was credited to her bill next time around without even demanding it. I obviously would have demanded it, but they were quick to go back on their error.