Orange Mobile, Obscene Bill

robt_2

How much are we betting the OP won't come back because they were in the wrong?

Trowel

I've found myself in a similar position recently with Orange. I accept that it's my own fault, but what annoys me is that it doesn't cost them anything like £8 p/MB to receive data via every network outside the EU - they sell bundles of data to use abroad which give you an 80% discount, and they wouldn't be able to do that if it destroyed their profit margin. Unless they know their margin will be supported by the thousands of people who get caught out like this every year...

withabix

The OP can't afford a large phone bill due to having 4 kids, but can afford an iPhone contract and a trip to Canada.

Mis-placed priorities if youy ask me....

butler_helen

I too am a new iphone user and have just done a search for how to turn this magical roaming button on/off... it's not something you could do accidentally.

'general'...'network'...'data roaming'... on or off switch. There is also a memo below the switch stating:

'Turn data roaming off when abroad to avoid substantial roaming charges when using email, web browsing, and other data services'

Clear as mud it will cost you loads- otherwise why would they bother with a fixed message?

OP I would play on oranges heart strings and if it doesn't work offer them a part payment as others have said.

vishy01234

coolcustomer2010 wrote: »

I just received a bill from Orange for using my mobile phone internet in Canada. I was only there 5 days
I hardly used it and :eek:Ive been charged £1,551..83!!!
apparently Orange say that Ive been charged £8.00 for every Megabyte used.
the actual telephone calls are only £79.00.
my usual internet here in uk is free

Orange customer services say pay the bill or else...they will send collections agents to my home!!

I dont agree to their charges, Before I travelled I enquire to find out the charges, they told me that I would be informed of the costs when I used by text message.
They have also cancelled my phones insurance? and cut off my phone!! untill I pay, I cant go to another company now as I have just recentley signed a new 24 month contract with them..

Advice please....

Yikes. You have my sympathy!! If that happened to me I would feel very sick. Good luck sorting this out. Like the others, I would definitely just face the problem head on and look to negotiate a reduction as those charges are just outrageous.

vishy01234

withabix wrote: »

The OP can't afford a large phone bill due to having 4 kids, but can afford an iPhone contract and a trip to Canada.

Mis-placed priorities if youy ask me....

No need to write such gloating crap.

omen666

markymoo wrote: »

There is a setting on an iPhone that says - Roaming Data, and a slidey switch, saying on / off..

It is DEFAULTED to off, and underneath it states, Turn data roaming off when abroad to avoid substantial roaming charges when using email, web browsing and other data services.

You must slide the switch to ON, if you want to use the internet while abroad, so I think the naiivety isn't washing with me.

You state you got an text saying it was substantial, but didn't investigate further. You state that you've only just signed up for the contract, but didn't investigate out of package charges further.

I've just been on the Orange website for less than 5 minutes, and pulled up the documents that state my charges for using a phone abroad, and it clearly states that GPRS, EDGE or 3G Data will be charged at £8 per MB.

£200 is not substantial by any stretch of my imagination when you are talking about mobile phones, data, and using them abroad. You are not the first, and won't be the last with a very large bill.

I've tested, how much I use my iPhone when abroad, and over 2 separate weeks it has worked out to be about 75mb per week. With o2 this is £6 per mb, and would have cost me £450, and Orange £600, this is extortinate charges, especially when I can use a local sim from a local provider (In this case AT&T), and pay $20 for 100mb data.

There is a lot to say about doing a bit of research, Orange said they would send a text, and they did, giving you the words - warning - substantial, but you didn't heed this, and you didn't research any more when the text didn't have any more information in it.

The only avenue of complaint is that you were told you'd get a text with prices on, and you got a text telling you it'd be bluddy expensive, which you ignored. It's a hard one to call whether you can actually complain, because you basically ignored warnings from your Mobile Operator.

M

Spot on. Should learn to use the device properly too.

robt wrote: »

How much are we betting the OP won't come back because they were in the wrong?

This

vishy01234 wrote: »

No need to write such gloating crap.

What? Serves the OP right IMHO

vishy01234

omen666 wrote: »

Spot on. Should learn to use the device properly too.



This



What? Serves the OP right IMHO

The fella made a mistake and has been hit with a monstrous bill. He's come on here for advice, not for gloaters to make digs. Get a life.

omen666

vishy01234 wrote: »

The fella made a mistake and has been hit with a monstrous bill. He's come on here for advice, not for gloaters to make digs. Get a life.

He was warned twice serves him right

Guys_Dad

vishy01234 wrote: »

The fella made a mistake and has been hit with a monstrous bill. He's come on here for advice, not for gloaters to make digs. Get a life.

I understand where you are coming from, but he could have got comments and advice by searching previous threads that have actually got results obtained from experience.

The problem is that a UK contract is with a UK provider. In this case, Orange.

When you go overseas, calls are made on the local provider's network. They charge Orange as they don't have a contract with you and it is Orange who then charge you.

Now all of that takes time, hence the inability for real-time warnings coming up on your phone.

If Orange say "Never mind old chap. You made a mistake - we will cancel the charges", then clearly they are out of pocket with the overseas charger, unless they have made a reciprocal "knock for knock" arrangement which is clearly not going to happen.

What Orange have some leeway with is any mark-up they may have put on the charges they have to settle with the Canadian network and that is your starting point.

But I also understand the points made by other contributors as we are falling further and further into the "It's not my fault" culture and if this is to change, then people need to take responsibility for their own actions.

I feel I should sign "Victor Meldrew"