02: changing contract user's name - HELP

Martha_Grace

Hi, I've been with 02 for 11 months under the o2 online 50 tariff : 50 mins anytime x/network and 500 texts for £19, and have had no trouble, very pleased with it.

The contract is under my Dad's name as I was under 18 when we got it, but now i'm 18 and am about to go to Uni my dad wants me to have my own contract. Are they likely to do a straightforward name change and let me continue the contract into a new 12 months, or will I have to cancel the current contract and start again coming in as a new customer?

I am very happy with the deal i've got now and the price is perfect for me as i'll be a poor student from september!! But as they dont advertise the exact deal i have now are they likely to let me carry on with it?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks M

charltonfan1

I did the same and did it over the phone and by changing details when you log into your account online.

You will be able to upgrade and if you use the info from the retention thread here: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=74041 you will be able to save money on your contract

Martha_Grace

Thanks thats reassuring. Do u expect them to refuse to do it unless my Dad is with me??

seanparkin

with you... on the internet? Yes because O2 have hacked your webcam and are watching you.

charltonfan1

Martha_Grace wrote:

Thanks thats reassuring. Do u expect them to refuse to do it unless my Dad is with me??

Over the phone you would need your dad present, or you could impersonate him with a different voice! :j

reehsetin

they would prob have to run a credit check on you before theyd agree, as the original check was on your dads name

Martha_Grace

The end result of this was that they said they couldn't do this at all.. the best they could do was change banking details but not the name on the contract! Really not happy with this, means we have to cancel that contract and I have to start all over again as a new customer, meaning i'll lose all benefits of being an existing customer!

charltonfan1

Martha_Grace wrote:

The end result of this was that they said they couldn't do this at all.. the best they could do was change banking details but not the name on the contract! Really not happy with this, means we have to cancel that contract and I have to start all over again as a new customer, meaning i'll lose all benefits of being an existing customer!

You may get a better deal being a new customer though? It depends on your skills of negotiation with the upgrade/retention department

Martha_Grace

I really want to get that 500 mins 500 texts deal but i wont have a chance being a 'new' customer will i? I asked on the phone if i could still be considered an existing customer when cancelling current contract and starting over with o2, but was told no.. I'm not sure, i would normally agree with you about getting best deal being a new customer but i have checked out 02s online offers this year and they are not as good as i got last year.. Being a new university student on september i want the best and cheapest deal possible!! Do i still ring the upgrades/retentions department to start a new contract and see if i can bargain with them there?

billymac

Martha_Grace wrote:

the best they could do was change banking details but not the name on the contract!

If you can change the banking details so that you are paying for the rental and calls does it really matter if the contract is still in your dad's name; particularly if that gets you the upgrade and better tariff? If it was my son I woudn't mind as long as he was paying for it (I wish!).

charltonfan1

billymac wrote:

If you can change the banking details so that you are paying for the rental and calls does it really matter if the contract is still in your dad's name; particularly if that gets you the upgrade and better tariff? If it was my son I woudn't mind as long as he was paying for it (I wish!).

good point!

when i changed mine, i gave them the new bank details over the phone and changed the Name on the account online. I expected them to still have the account in my mothers name but this wasn't the case, it was then in my name.