Vodafone - upgarde - direct or via high street outlets?

ggmf

I and my best friend are currently with Vodafone, and have been for a number of years, our contracts have ‘expired. As such we would like to see what Vodafone can offer in respect of a HTC HD2 for any new contracts we may take out with them. Our 2 local Vodafone stores are appalling, they could not spell ‘customer service’ and showed no enthusiasm when we visited and spoke to them, with regards to looking at our current (expired) contracts and what options we may have available to us.
I could try contacting Vodafone direct but last year it took quite a few phone calls to find somebody who knew what they were talking about and who were able to offer a deal that was acceptable to us.
So a couple of questions if I may - How does it work if we decide to go via one of the alternative high street outlets (phones-4-u, CarPhone warehouse etc.) I assume that it will just be a change in billing details as at present we would not be looking to switch networks, though of course one of these outlets maybe able to offer a better deal which is not via Vodafone but one of the alternative networks they sell, in which case who requests the PAC, us or the high street store?
Thanks,

rash.m2k

Think about it - which is cheaper for Vodafone? Opening a store or a call centre?

Definitely direct! But you won't get a decent deal until you are about 20 or so days left till you contract actually ends.

There is NO way others can offer you a better deal than vodafone! ANY deal you present to Vodafone can be beaten.

dot111

The OP is out of contract.

For years now I have only used high street to "look" at phones, then get better deals on line.
Though I have to disagree about waiting till last few days. I rang with two months remaining, spoke to a very nice man, said I was thinking of moving to 02 because my children were on 02 and it would save me lots of money.
He offered me a very good deal and the phone I wanted, tried to push me to 24months, but I said NO.