O2's MMS tariffs...

bobweston

Hi,

I wonder if you have any thoughts on this please...

The other day I called O2 and managed to get, what I thought, was a pretty good upgrade deal, with some negotiation

[HTC Desire, 300 minutes - with 200mins added free, unlimited texts, 500Mb Internet allowance, all for £25]

However, when the sales girl ('Retentions' department) confirmed the order with the Terms and Conditions, she states picture messages (MMS) were 20p each.

I said to her I was a bit 'peeved' about this, seeing as the previous contract had 4 text units equalling one picture message, and was counted on the tariff limit.

The girl said they'd "changed their pricing plan" so MMS messages were charged at 20p, and were "looking into ways" to get this on their 'bolt-on' services which she said they were aiming for November.

The current bolt-ons offered by O2 still make reference to 'messaging units': http: //www .o2.co.uk/explore/tariffs/boltons/paygoboltons
so this seems to conflict with what she was saying.

I think 20p for a picture message is really steep, especially seeing as these were counted on my previous tariff using the 'unit' logic and this is still quoted on the website. 10 SSM is £2. If you sent one a day, it'd be closer to £6 a month extra.

By time I got to the T&C, it was a bit late to re-negotiate or back-track. :mad:

Any thoughts? Could I complain? My theory is they should have specified this MMS catch up-front.

Thanks.

Exhortation

Charging for MMS now seems to be standard practice. Three charge to both send and receive them.

Techhead_2

Two points.

You are quoting the bolt-ons for pay as you go not contract.

O2 have never included MMS in UNLIMITED texts, only when you have a specified number of texts. From Jan 2010, all new/upgrade tariffs had unlimited texts and so don't have inclusive MMS.

If its a big deal for you then use the cancelation period and find a tariff that includes MMS.

bobweston

Ah yes, sorry page above was for PAYG Bolt-ons. Think you have to call for Pay Monthly options.


@Exhortation:

Sure. The girl at O2 intimated the 'pricing' (across all networks) had had a bit of a renaissance (ie 20p per message)...

However I'm sure the 'Bolt-on's on the O2 site state that they're using 'messaging units' which seems to conflict what the O2girl was saying that they'd had to figure out how to get this new model into their bolt-ons. It seemed like she was giving me diversion tactics.


@Techhead

Ok, that's a fair comment about the MMS on Unlimited texting. Thanks for your reply.

It's not too much of a big deal - I just feel a bit hard done by seeing as I'd been negotiating a deal for 20+ minutes!... and then found I had to pay extra for picture messages.


I think I'll stick with it now.

Any other thoughts would be well received.

Jon_01

Don't send them as MMS's, send them as emails, they come under your data bundle then.

bobweston

Ah, this is also covered on this MSE thread:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2806210

Graz-D

I don't understand as they used to be free. My thoughts are that the O2 directors had a big meeting to see how they can get more money out of their customers as they appreciated sending MMS without charge, and this was the outcome.

bobweston

I think the new 'model' is for all providers. It does seem a bit expensive, but I guess this is to try and limit the amount of data sent. I can't see a few picture messages would break the bank tho...

Jon_01

Graz-D wrote: »

I don't understand as they used to be free. My thoughts are that the O2 directors had a big meeting to see how they can get more money out of their customers as they appreciated sending MMS without charge, and this was the outcome.

O2 were the only network that provided them as part of their text allowance. The other's have always changed for them.

I guess their just coming into line.

elfen

3 provides 50 MMS a month on contract. They didn't tell me, so I don't think they're all aware, but it comes up in My3.

Toe-Jam

I used to get them free on O2 as well, but since they introduced the Unlimited sms on all tariffs they were chargeable. They were also free from abroad, but again that has been scrapped. I moved to orange last month and i get 50 MMS free per month as part of my bundle.