O2 iPhone Upgrade - haggling tips?!

nickname

I've had an iPhone 3G 16GB on pay monthly £35pm (600 mins / 500 txts) from O2 for 18 months. Now the contract is over I want to upgrade to the 3GS 16GB (not bothered about waiting for the 4G).

I phoned O2 and was quoted £149 upgrade cost for the handset with a £35 contract (600 mins / unltd txts) which seems a bit steep to me.

Also my current tariff allows for each text from abroad to use 4 of my monthly allowance, the new tariff allows no inclusive texts from abroad but charges 11p each for them. This is worse for me as I am away a lot.

Does anyone have any ideas how to get the cost down and stay on my tariff? I'm useless at haggling!!

Thanks

oakley1975

I would sell your iphone on ebay for £250-£300. Put the funds towards a new iphone 3gs and take out an 02 sim only deal through Quidco (includes free unlimited web bolt on and £100 cashback). This tariff gives you 800 free mins and texts. The monthly rental is £20 a month for 12 monts.

If you're into moneysaving keep your exisiting iphone and bag £100 though quidco. I'm on this deal and o2 know I am using an iphone.

If you are away alot get the rebtell app. You can send texts for less than 1 penny.

jones.ci

Mention you like the look of some Android phone O2 don't offer, like the HTC Desire or Google Nexus One and see if the iPhone magically gets a bit cheaper.

Alternatively, buy an Android smartphone - they're better than iPhones

preable

I like the Android phone but always liked the iphone for some reason hahaha

parallax_20

I like the Android phone but always liked the iphone for some reason hahaha

Because its the must have gadget everyone wants and would pay ridiculous money for? Steve Jobs really has you over the barrel! Get the lube ready! hahaha

Miss_Imaginative

nickname,

Quite a few points have already been covered, but here are a few I learnt when I was trying to haggle with 02 to get an iphone.

First, as has already been suggested, sell your current iPhone when you've sorted out a deal with 02. Sell it either on ebay or through one of the recycling sites. Given the huge popularity of the iPhone, I'd go for ebay as people are still willing to pay a significant amount for the 3G.

Being patient may be your best bet - if you allow your contract to go to a monthly rolling contract - as the iPhone 4 is due out this summer. When the iPhone 4 is released, the initial outlay of the 3GS will go down - and I wouldn't be surprised if there's a sudden leap in 3GS' being sold on ebay. Your best money-saving bet may be to be patient until then, then use your money earnt from your sale of your 3G to pay for a 3GS then go onto a SIM-only iPhone tariff.

However, if you're wanting one sooner than this summer - make sure you're ringing 02 Retentions, rather than Upgrades. Follow all the options for "thinking of leaving 02" from calling 202 directly from your mobile. Retentions have much more power to be able to change pricing of tariffs, as they want to keep your business! Upgrades can only provide the tariffs as seen on the website (so I am led to believe).

When you do ring 02 Retentions play on the fact you've been a loyal customer of 02 for so-many-years - they should have a 'pot' of money set aside that they are allowed to spend on you - i.e. wipe the cost of the phone, reduce your tariff costs. On a brand spanking iPhone, this may not change much as Apple set the prices. BUT! If you keep close tabs on the Cheapest iPhone thread (yes, it is 115 pages long, but it is worth a read to get further advice and see what deals people have got) - and ring o2 Retentions every day, you should be able to get a Refurbed 3GS for a reduced price. Refurbed in some ways better than new, as they have been individually inspected by Apple to make sure they're in working order. Generally you don't have to pay out for the price of the Refurbed phone, and tariffs are reduced (someone got their tariff down to £22 a month when the last batch are out).

Also, make sure you're armed with information. What other deals are out there, what other networks are providing in both tariffs and prices and can 02 beat them? As I said before, Apple set the prices for new iphones, so the tariffs/pricing is pretty similar. But like jones.ci said, if you say you're eyeing up another high-tech Smartphone like the HTC Desire (which 02 aren't releasing until the middle of this month at earliest) and so are willing to go elsewhere, they should suddenly sit up and take notice.

Don't be afraid to say "I'll think about it" or "that's a good offer, but are you sure you can't do better?" - if you don't ask, you won't get!! Worst they can say is no. You are the one with the power here, they should be pandering to you in order to keep your business.

Lastly, when you're on the phone to 02 Retentions, smile! They honestly can tell when you're being genuinely nice and polite, and going in with all guns blazing doesn't really get you anywhere. They will be much more willing to help you if you're nice to them, have a joke with them and treat them like a human being. It worked for me, even when some of their advisors did make mistakes.

Good luck - let us know how you get on!

Miss_I

Geoggy

if you are going to get a new iphone i dont understand why you wouldn't wait for the new one - it's literally a few months away.

you will be locked into old technology for 18 months for the sake of a few months. Just convert your contract you Iphone 20 for a few months then go down the retentions route for an upgrade.

The sim only deals mentioned earlier will owrk, but you won't get visual voicemail and wifi access to the cloud. if you don't use these then no biggie.

giardaella

I just phoned in the customer services and was told that there is this "Fair Deal" policy now, and they stopped the loyalty offers to current customers 18 months ago. What a load of bull!!! She told me that she wouldn't transfer me to the retentions and I will have to deal with her if I wanted a PAC to go to another network.

I very politely asked her name and requested a PAC to be sent to me. I have haggled with O2 every year for the last 6 and always got what I wanted. But now I feel I can't be asked to play this farce. I openly said that I called to get a better deal than what is on offer on the website. If I can't be given some incentive for being loyal, good buy and see you!

I already have an Iphone 3G and am pretty happy with its performance. I just wanted to get a 3gs for my mum in law. But, alas, she'd have to do without one as O2 are not helpful.:rotfl:

Danstar_2

I bought an iPhone outright. They used my current plan of no contract but 1,200 mins, but it was online so they doubled it. 1,200 texts but again doubled it and free iPhone Internet bolt on, free unlimited texts and messages. Including picture messages. I pay £25 or £27 a month.

They can do it if you ask them. Just sell your 3G and wait until the new one comes out but it outright and you will have a plan far better than anyone else.

loates123

what number are u people ringing as been with o2 for years and there deals are so poor so looks like i will be leaving them

watcherman

Weird that people with an Android device need to criticise the iPhone and justify why Android is better, yet I don't see the reverse taking place.