£853 phone bill due to roaming charges. HELP!!!

archenater

I spent a month in thailand and just got my phone bill from orange which is absolutely extortionate, I don't know how I'm going to pay it.
I lost my bank card during my holiday so I made a lot of phone calls to HSBC and the only other number I rang was my mother who is also on orange.
I turned off my data services on my phone as well, and I'm on a pay monthly contract.

Can any one give me some advice on how to possibly negotiate a smaller bill from orange or any other method of dealing the bill.

Any advice will be much appreciated.

Guys_Dad

Examine the bill and see exactly what the charges were for - how many voice minutes, texts etc. Was data in fact turned off?

Orange UK will be being billed by the local network for their share of the calls so if Orange wiped out the charge, they would be out of pocket.

Assuming the charges are accurate, then anything you get off the bill will be goodwill on Orange's part, so approach them in that light.

So you need to seek a goodwill reduction and, if necessary, negotiate time to pay. However, remember that Experian etc have a credit record and, even if you negotiate a payment plan, you may still have your record marked as "bill outstanding" for the period that you take to pay.

If at all possible, pay the bill off to protect your payment record and by that, I mean whatever you next bill says as that is what they will DD you for, even if they agree subsequently to make a reducxtion on your next bill(s) or send you a goodwill cheque.

themull1

Give Orange a ring and negotiate.

sporedude

themull1 wrote: »

Give Orange a ring and negotiate.

Are you kidding?

spiro

According the the Orange website its £1.45/min to make a call (and check answerphone) and 90p/min to receive. Data is £8.00/mb. Assuming all the bill was for calls you would have had to use 588mins (nearly 10hrs).

As said, check the breakdown of costs on the bill.

As you were outside the EU, the new roaming capping rules dont apply so you'll be liable for it all unless Orange as generous.

When you lost the card, did you loose other things that you will be claiming on your insurnace? If so see if they will cover calls to sort out the card.