Are Orange tarriff charges legal?

liznewman

I have been with Orange for years, mainly because I live in Wales and it is the only network that works here. I have a question regarding the mobile tarriffs.

I have the cheaplest tarriff, because I do not use it much, owing to where I live. I saw in the press yesterday that for new customers of Orange they can pay less than me a month and get more..

My taffiff is £15 for 30 minutes any network. The one advertised is £15 for 120 minutes any network plus 30 texts per month.

Having telephoned them I am told this is for new customers only. Is this legal I wonder? why should I pay more and get less. If I want to cancel my contract, as I only renewed it in August it is going to cost me £111.00. Has anyone got any advice???

Steve_xx

when you say you renewed your contract in August, do you mean you just let it roll on from the previous year, or did you get a new phone from them?

liznewman

I upgraded, but had to pay a small amount for the phone

Steve_xx

OK I understand - then you are committed for the full year.

Don't despair, all is not lost. Did you know that Orange offer something called OVP (Orange Value Promise)? They say that their tariffs are the best, but if you don't think so you can choose from several of Vodafones, o2 or TMobiles tariffs to have on your Orange phone. They will emulate the tariff as closely as they can. You should be able to switch tariff to one which suits you better.

Have you heard of this facility with Orange? Do you need more info about it?

liznewman

Thank you for your help. No I have not heard of this. Can you explain please. I have phoned Orange and they do not want to know. I am really annoyed about it. Like I say, I have the problem that it is only Orange that works where I live. I would really be interested to see how I can get a better deal.

Steve_xx

Ok, no problem, follow this link:
http://www.orange.co.uk/cgi-bin/ovp/costs.pl

This shows you the plans which Orange will emulate. I might suggest to you that you look closely at the TMobile Freetime 750 tariff, at £13.99 per month you get 750 minutes to landlines or other Orange mobiles during the off-peak period, plus 50 texts per month. That's much better than what you have currently I think? Let me know what you think.

payless

Orange and Vodafopne both offer these discounted "online tariffs " although orange's offer is not as good as it was .

I also tried to swap - they would not do it, so downgarded to cheapest tariff until 12m over and took new online tariff

Steve_xx

Payless - Assume you mean you wanted Orange to put you on one of their new tariffs?

They will allow you to move to an OVP tsriff I reckon? What say you?

liznewman

Hi Steve. I have had a look, must admit I did not know they did this. The TMobile is a good the only problem with it is off peak, and I cannot use my phone at home as the reception is no good. I have cancelled my texts with Orange and I will decide which one to go with.

Appreciate the help and I am definately going to change and when my contract is up maybe one of the other suppliers will work better here. I live in hope. We are finally getting broadband on 12th Jan. Suppose it is Wales!! :-*

payless

Yes sorry Steve, perhaps I did not make my post clear

I was on £25pm tariff ( last years CPW xmas deal) asked about going onto their £15pm online tarfiff ( or Vodafones version) neither were an option they would give me, so
I downgarded to £13.99 Pm OVP deal and put the sim card in the drawer ( until able to cancel - just) Took new contracts on their £15 Online tariff

liznewman

Sorry payless do you mean that you downgraded and then did not use the simm? and then took out a new £15 contract with them? sorry I am confused. I am really annoyed with them over this. I do not think it should be allowed.