Credit not showing on new PAYG Orange phone

BrownGirl

I bought a new PAYG orange phone from their website for my neice's 18th birthday present to replace an existing orange PAYG phone. The phone was quite cheap but you had to get £20 credit at the same time. This was fine as I wanted her to be able to use the phone straight away. When I got it I charged the battery and registered the phone as per instructions on 2nd Nov (10 days ago).

I've been checking every day but the £20 credit still isn't on the account (says balance is 1p). I can't ring customer services as its not a free call and it says I don't have enough balance. I tried the other free numbers but none of the options are appropriate and those I tried just take me round and round in an automated nightmare. I tried the charged customer service number from another call but it said lines were busy and then cut me off. I couldn't find any help on their website.

I just can't believe this poor level of customer service from such a big organisation. I actually feel like the £20 has been stolen from me as I have paid for it but not recieved it. If I'd bought a top up card and applied it that way the credit would have been on instantly so it feels like they are deliberately forcing me to buy additional credit to get it applied straight away.

I wouldn't mind so much but a couple of months ago I bought myself a new phone from them and had exactly the same problems - made worse by wanting to keep my exisiting Orange phone number (a process I still have to go through with my neice's phone). It was eventually sorted after over 3 weeks and numerous calls to various numbers, but I put that down to extremely bad luck. Now I just think its rotten customer service.

Moral of the story: if you want a new phone with credit to be able to use in less that 3 weeks then don't get it from the Orange website.

BrownGirl

Hi

I've tried 450 - first option is top up options but basically took me round automated messages for adding credit by credit card, linking top up cards etc - couldn't get to speak to anyone; the other option took me to the Orange Shop which I could select to take to a Customer Service rep but then it tells me it can't transfer me as I don't have enough credit on the phone to make the call :rolleyes:.

C

BrownGirl

Ah, okay, will try again, thanks



Update: On hold over half an hour only to be told all their systems are down and they can't help me....