Orange: End of contract and the iPhone

hammond_cheese

Hi

Long time user of the site but only one of my first visits to the forums, which I didn't realise were such a wealth of information in themselves! I couldn't find a similar query to this in the other iPhone threads, but apologies if I have missed something.

I have just reached the end of my minimum contract term (18 month) with Orange, paying £35 a month. Obviously, now that this is up I would like to move onto another 18 month iPhone contract ASAP as I'd rather be paying off a contract rather than just far more minutes than I end up using.

So, my question is this: which of the following options would be preferable for me?

1) Phone up Customer Retentions now and ask for my PAC to jump ship to O2. I realise that they are unlikely to offer me an iPhone as the details are not yet available, but it might be worth a try. I'd rather pay more and go with O2 now if it is likely that I'll be with Orange for another few months before actually starting my iPhone contract.

2) Continue with Orange until further pricing information is released, but on a cheaper SIM-only contract (if I did this, would I lose my bargaining power with them?).

3) Continue paying my current monthly rate and hope that iPhone details are released soon, and that the iPhone is in stock sometime before Christmas (this is my biggest worry, that I would end up on Orange another 3-4 months before actually starting my contract).

Any suggestions appreciated! Thanks.

Jon_01

There's a chance that the iPhone 'may be' on Orange tomorrow.

Just bare in mind as this is a new handset to them there aren't going to any deals for the first few months, they don't need to do them...

Mic2904

Jon_01 wrote: »

There's a chance that the iPhone 'may be' on Orange tomorrow.

Just bare in mind as this is a new handset to them there aren't going to any deals for the first few months, they don't need to do them...

I dont expect ANY deals for the Iphone what so ever! I am in the same position as the OP and the contract runs out in Decmeber (upgrade available since mid september).

I am waiting as well and will see what they offer.

Jon_01

Mic2904 wrote: »

I dont expect ANY deals for the Iphone what so ever! I am in the same position as the OP and the contract runs out in Decmeber (upgrade available since mid september).

I am waiting as well and will see what they offer.

If you can hang on til Jan I'd think you'd get a much better offer. The sales will be on (not that the iPhone will be discounted by much), but Voda will have it by then so there's more of a chance of getting a better deal
You might not get much off the price but there could very well be very good offers on minutes/texts ect. . .

hammond_cheese

Jon_01 wrote: »

If you can hang on til Jan I'd think you'd get a much better offer. The sales will be on (not that the iPhone will be discounted by much), but Voda will have it by then so there's more of a chance of getting a better deal
You might not get much off the price but there could very well be very good offers on minutes/texts ect. . .

True. I realise that waiting to January is the best option overall but unfortunately for me I just can't afford to wait that long (data and decent internet browsing would be handy for work purposes over the next few months).

I think I might phone Orange today to give them 30-days notice of cancellation. Then I can always revert this request if they come out with a reasonable tariff/stock availability in the meantime, or carry on and switch to O2 if not!

drbesty

There's going to be plenty of stock don't worry about that, and Orange will also be cheaper than O2, stick with Orange and wait to upgrade

Andyblizz

drbesty wrote: »

There's going to be plenty of stock don't worry about that, and Orange will also be cheaper than O2, stick with Orange and wait to upgrade

Plenty of stock !!!

It isnt easy to get an iPhone 3GS on O2 even after it has been released for nearly 4 months.

So assuming there is going to be plenty of stock, may lead to a shock when it is released.

Jon_01

It may not be easy to get on O2 because Apple have been diverting stock to Orange?

Maybe. . .

Idiophreak

Don't assume that Orange will let you upgrade. I wanted the i8910 HD when I upgraded (like you, £35/month, 18 months) - they wanted £200 for me to upgrade.

So, in the end, I had to take out a new contract from the website (phone was free, plus £50 cashback), cancel my old one and lose my number.

GF, who wanted an iPhone did your option one. Paid £90 for a 3GS, but with £60 cashback.

Jon_01

You could have got your pac, ported to another networks payg and then back to Orange and kept your number that way.

Idiophreak

Jon_01 wrote: »

You could have got your pac, ported to another networks payg and then back to Orange and kept your number that way.

Yeah, gave this thought, seemed more hassle than it was worth, though. Gonna put the number on my second phone (PAYG) anyway, just so I don't miss anything too important...