Phoned CPW about downgrading... help... tariffs?

pinkie_pie

I actually phoned to see when I could give notice, as I was told by them a while back it was November. Turns out November is upgrade time, January is end of contract. So I said when would I need to give notice 'just phone any time in january' was the reply. so i queried don't i have to give notice, so wouldn't it need to be earlier? 'oh well 30 days earlier if you want to be precise!'

I have a 30 a month contract. It has 1000 min and around 600 min (not entirely sure on min, around that), and my bundle is unlimited text. It's apparently discounted from 45 a month (retentions offer) on an 18m contract. However my bill is usually closer to 45 a month, sometimes 50 which I know I need to address. I don't have a working home phone, so I've tended to phone all those nasty 0845 numbers and even 0800 numbers off it too which doesn't help. I use my lots of texts, and sometimes go over my minutes either phoning my childminder, partner, or returning ex-H's calls. CM is on o2 as well, partner orange, no idea about exH, but phone him the least anyways

They said I could downgrade once a month but if I downgraded I'd be paying 35 a month and it would be a 'basic' tariff. As my special offer would be cancelled. But how basic is basic? Then next month it could in theory be 25 right???? Where are these tariffs???

A friend suggested I bought a simplicity now, as this is a cheap deal with the cashback, and then downgraded this one each month as low as I could. Then use up the texts/min on both numbers, finally sticking within limits on simplicity from Jan.

I don't have a good credit rating though so I doubt I'd be approved.

Another friend suggested getting PAYG. Doing the same as above with downgrading each month, topping up to get free texts and o2 calls, calling all non-o2 from current mob, until jan when I could then just use the credit that would have built up on PAYG.

I don't know if these two methods would be saving me much though. Sounds like it will cost about the same! And doesn't really help that I still don't have a working phone!!!!!! :mad:

OneADay

Could you not phone your network provider to ask about the tariff downgrade, I would do that then go to cpw or whoever the retailer I got phone from.

The network should be able to give you best options (if you ask nicely).

pinkie_pie

I didn't know I could do that, it's always CPW that contact me. Will have a look for an o2 number and try that then

OneADay

202 from your mobile free.

pinkie_pie

I phoned that number but it said 'your phone is managed by an independent service provider please contact them instead'

pinkie_pie

Looks like back to plan A up top!

OneADay

Oh I learn something new.
Who is your network provider on your bills? Guess its CPW (talkmobile) ?

pinkie_pie

o2.

I originally had a phone from e2save, then somehow CPW were managing it! Now I'm a couple of contracts later.

OneADay

Thats a weird setup - hope someone else has more knowledge on this than me.
I know CPW have their own mobile network talkmobile or something which probably uses o2 network or something.

I would suggest do the downgrading as much cpw allow - give them 30 days notice notice in December if contract ends in January and ask for your PAC code at that point to. Dont forget Christmas period if you have to write to give notice.

Then pick a decent contract throught the usual retailers but make sure you are not tied into speaking to the likes of cpw for tariffs in future but to the network.

OneADay

Might be worth speaking to o2 to see if they can take over your contract (if you are due an upgrade now). Normally I think with 18 month contracts, you can upgrade at month 15.
08442 020202 is the o2 number.

MRC_2

There is a good chance that you are a CPW customer rather than o2. They have no access to your account if this is the case.

If you wanted to move to o2, you'd have to cancel the one you have and sign up to a new contract with o2.