Batter down your annual mobile costs article Discussion Area

System

I've just ordered a Sony Ericsson W850i for free from O2, on a £20 a month 12 month contract, with 500 xnetwork minutes and 500 texts. That should do me fine.

noni

Not sure how to go about getting new contract or phone. With 02 on 200xnet mins and 100txt per month £17.50. Took contract out with CPW on Cashback deal. Can I still leave 02 if waiting on cashback at month 12. Still waiting on cheque from 8th bill. Tried freephone no recommended by previous posts but guy was snappy and gave 0870 no. Any advice appreciated. thanks.

ww9066

Hey all,

I'm new here and need some advice. I know the key to Mobile haggling is being at the end of your contract, I'm not, I'm 8 months into an 18 month tie in with Orange.....

However, I was told when I got my new contract that I would be able to downgrade tariff after 6 months, this was gonna be perfect for me as I knew I'd be moving in with my fiance and no longer needing my 500 min + 500 texts a month, which were mostly used on calling her.

So I phoned Orange and they said I could downgrade to their simple Call Plan, but that the "DirectPlans" had been "Archived" so I couldn't drop down a couple of plans. The Call Plan I was offered was 100 mins and 150 texts for MORE than I am currently paying for way more than that. What a joke.

I want to go on the Dolphin plan but have been told that these are for new contracts (new customer or new contracts) only meaning I have to wait another 7 months (paying for more than I use) before I can go on it.

So asked for complaints department and was given an address. I've written, it's been a week and no reply. I think I've been mis-sold because realistically I can't actually down grade. How long should I have to wait for a reply?

Any other advice? Can I threaten legal action?

Thanks

Bill

ww9066

Hi all,

See the post above for the problem I had with Orange and downgrading my contract since I no longer needed the high useage service plan I was on.

Anyway problem solved and here's how I did it:

I had looked at the citizen's advice website and found out that if, after making a formal complaint, you are not happy (or in my case not recieved a reply) you should find out which Alternative Dispute Resolultion (ADR) scheme the company are with. All communications companies must be a member of one of two by Ofcom rules. see this link for more details, including the address for official complaints departments for all the mobile companies. http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/n6w/index/your_world/communications/mobile_phones.htm#MobilePhoneComplaints

So I called orange and asked the operator at disconnections what ADR scheme orange were with. He said - "I'll just put you through to customer services"

'Customer services' asked me what my problem was, and took back all that was told to me before about "archived" service plans. Apparenly I could drop down to a lower tariff with a lower price. They stood firm on not allowing me to go on the new Dolphin tariff. At one point the operator said to me that if Orange allowed all existing customers to go on the animal tariffs then they would lose money! I said that was ridiculous, and that what she meant was they would make less money, and she had to take back what she had said while I was still laughing!

I kept on saying though that I thought it was unfair to existing customers to not go on the animal tariffs, so she kept adding extras onto my new plan until it's almost as good as the dolphin tariff, 200 more texts and free orange world (WAP) which I use a lot. So I'm now on 100 mins+700 texts+Orange World for £25 a month.

So in summary, if you wanna change tariff mid-contract but they say you can't or offer you a poor deal, say you want to know which ADR scheme they are with. This seemed to be the trigger word for getting put through to someone with the power to give you what you want. Then keep saying how unfair it is, while they pile on the add-ons to get you to go away. I only wish I'd kept pushing - oh well - at least I've halved my mobile bill!

Bill

mrglobetrotter

Jeez...I spent most of my afternoon trying to figure out information from Vodafone staff in regards to signing up for another 12 month contract.

To start with I called 2 weeks ago asking to change from pay monthly to pay as you talk contract. I got a call from 3 customer service reps to try and convince me to stay with them. I wasn't happy with the deal they offerred so I said I'll think about....and gosh thinking about it was not the only thing I had to do. This was harder than doing research for my doctorate.

I called today prepared to sign up for a 12month contract after I realised that Pay as you Go is not good for me since I spent 650minutes on my phone last month costing me £165 and £270 the month before (including calls made overseas).

The tough part about today was speaking with about 6 reps and all of them giving me different information.

I had agreed initially a 6month contract for £50 with 800mins and 1000texts plus a Nokia 6233. I was really happy with that for 1 minute until I spoke to another guy who said they cannot action that...'computer says no!' type of situation. At this point I was confused since I had just agreed that with a customer care rep. I am not sure if he was making fun of me or whether he got fed up with me meticulously applying tips I learnt from The Money Diet book I just bought. So I decided to chill for a bit. :mad:

I called later and finally I figured out that if your contract ended there is an option to change the tarriff for an extended period of 6 months. This means I'd get 800min plus 500 texts for £50 if I commit for 6 months. This option does not allow you to change tarrif so it's fixed. No really exciting option for me although handy if I accept a new job offer based in Holland.

Then I asked what my options are. They deals offered seemed to get worse and worse considering that I have been with Vodafone for 3 years now and my average monthly spend is £100!!!

For the first time they offered me an 18 month contract if I want a phone but I wanted a 12 month contract.

Finally I agreed to 800mins/500texts plus a Nokia 6233 and Vodafone passport for £50 (first 3 months 1/2 price). I am not sure I got the best deal out there and something tells me I haven't but I was so fed up by the end of it that I just wanted to make a decision rather than waste another afternoon.

If there is someone out there who can illuminate me whether this is a good deal to start with, your comments will be greatly appreciated.

iceicebaby

I was with Orange, I had been with them for 7 years. When my contract was due for renewal I tried to get them to give me a better deal and they wouldnt.

SO.... BYE BYE orange and Hello Vodafone, cheaper deal and shiny new nokia phone!

ashmufc

Managed to get the K800i in brown, £7 discount on an 18 month contract. keeping my old 300 off-peak contract so now £13. Good stuff, but it did take some time to barter.

DavidPeakeweb

I tried tonight to get a better deal on renewel. I got £20 off my line rental last year, so I was thinking I'd try and get that again, and upgrade to the K800i. I'm with O2 btw, have been for the past 8 years.

He said he couldn't give me the upgrade for less than 79.99, so I said I wanted to cancel, asked me to hold, then put me through, the chap offered me £10 a month off my original line rental, which was £45 (I know it sounds expensive, but I never go over it, and use it for business and pleasure), but wouldn't waive the £80 charge, I asked him if he would do anymore, because 3 do a great offer, he didn't want to offer me anything. So I cancelled, I must say I'm a little disappointed with O2, I thought I was at least a decent customer, oh well. Over to 3, £15 a month for the 1st 10 months, for more minutes and texts and £100 quidco. Moneysaving is such fun.

melbt

My contract was coming up to the end and I was looking at changing networks. I use my phone for business and the last 2 bills came to £180. Anyway Orange phoned me 3 times and I told them I was probably changing to O2. The last time they phoned me the advisor mentioned a new contract to me £35 for 550mins any network any time plus 200 text I said that I wasn't intrested. He then offered an extra 400 cross network mins and free land line calls. I said I would think about it.

2 days later phoned up asked for my pac number and was put through to disconnections who basically said they would give me a new N70, the 550+400 anytime cross network mins, 200 text and that they could confirm that the fair use policy an land line calls was 3000 mins a month all for £35. I now only use my office phone for non geographic numbers. This is a 18 month contract but this is my buisiness phone I'm not worried about changing it any sooner.

Also unlocked my old N70 and sold it for £120

Alex_Kane

My contract with Phones4U/O2 runs out at the begining of Dec and was going to try Martin's technique to get a better deal.

I currently have a Samsung D600 and pay £12 (plus £8 insurance) and ONLY get 25 mins +25 texts a month (stop laughing, I wanted THAT phone).


Looking to pay about £15 per month (not gonna take insurance).

Anybody got any ideas as to what I shoud be looking for text/minute wise?
Anybody got advice of what are the best phone/others out there just now?

I am willing to chance my arm and ask for a model that should be out of my price range so any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers