Contract almost up, found new phone/contract, what now?

Legacy_user

Hi,

I got a contract a while ago with Vodafone, for 18 months, and I'm now due for an upgrade, however I don't want to stay with Vodafone (basically they offered me unlimited internet when I signed up, changed it to a set 500mb limit, rang them up, was told by someone in India that I wouldn't have to pay for going over, went over 500mb, got charged anyway...)

Anyway, I've found the phone I want (HTC Desire Z), found the deal I want (300mins, unltd texts, 500mb data) for £25/mo with 7 months 1/2 price and a free phone (and £50 Quidco cashback)

So Vodafone told me in-store yesterday that I can cancel a month before my contract runs out (27th January, contract ends on 27th February), but I'm due for an upgrade now. If I cancel now, how much will it cost me (I don't want to deal with their customer services)? Will I just pay 2 months?

Also, does anyone know what the fee is for going over the internet limit on Orange? if it's like £5 for 500mb that's fine

aaand, can I get the orange contract now, then cancel Vodafone, then swap my orange number, or do I need the PAC code first?

thanks

gjchester

LooieENG wrote: »

basically they offered me unlimited internet when I signed up, changed it to a set 500mb limit, rang them up, was told by someone in India that I wouldn't have to pay for going over, went over 500mb, got charged anyway...

To be fair you *NEVER* got unlimited internet there was always a fair use limit on all networks. That limit was never enforced until July of this year. It may seem like the same thing but it's not, you were never promised unlimited internet, and you contract was not changed, the limit was just clarified.

LooieENG wrote: »

Anyway, I've found the phone I want (HTC Desire Z), found the deal I want (300mins, unltd texts, 500mb data) for £25/mo with 7 months 1/2 price and a free phone (and £50 Quidco cashback)

So Vodafone told me in-store yesterday that I can cancel a month before my contract runs out (27th January, contract ends on 27th February), but I'm due for an upgrade now. If I cancel now, how much will it cost me (I don't want to deal with their customer services)? Will I just pay 2 months?

You don't specifically say it but your later comments suggest the HTC DZ is on an Orange contract.


Youy can't cencel a month early without penalty payment, you have committed to 18 months so you have two choices.

You give notice on the 27th of January and the contract terminates on the 27th of Feb.

Alternativly ask for the contract to be terminated at any time (say this evening) and you'll pay a penalty fee equivalent to the remaining line rental, minus a bit as theres no VAT and you may ber a few % discount.

To be honest I'd say you will have tpo pay, you may as well use the minutes on Vodafone till say the middle of FEB then use the PAC Code

LooieENG wrote: »

Also, does anyone know what the fee is for going over the internet limit on Orange? if it's like £5 for 500mb that's fine

No Idea I'm not on Orange, but they'll either charge for a bundle of data like Vodafone do, or you'll be charged per megabyte you go over.

LooieENG wrote: »

aaand, can I get the orange contract now, then cancel Vodafone, then swap my orange number, or do I need the PAC code first?

thanks

The Vodafone contract has to be active for the PAC to work, so you could get the Orange phone now, then request the PAC and pass that across.

Bear in mind if you request a cancellation then ask for a PAC code then the request for the PAC CODE cancells the cancallation notice. If you do not use it in 30 days the the contract reverts to a montly rolling contract.

When the PAC is contract terminates, and you'll be liable for any payment at that ppoint if you were still in the 18 months minimum.

System

gjchester wrote: »

To be fair you *NEVER* got unlimited internet there was always a fair use limit on all networks. That limit was never enforced until July of this year. It may seem like the same thing but it's not, you were never promised unlimited internet, and you contract was not changed, the limit was just clarified.


You don't specifically say it but your later comments suggest the HTC DZ is on an Orange contract.


Youy can't cencel a month early without penalty payment, you have committed to 18 months so you have two choices.

You give notice on the 27th of January and the contract terminates on the 27th of Feb.

Alternativly ask for the contract to be terminated at any time (say this evening) and you'll pay a penalty fee equivalent to the remaining line rental, minus a bit as theres no VAT and you may ber a few % discount.

To be honest I'd say you will have tpo pay, you may as well use the minutes on Vodafone till say the middle of FEB then use the PAC Code



No Idea I'm not on Orange, but they'll either charge for a bundle of data like Vodafone do, or you'll be charged per megabyte you go over.



The Vodafone contract has to be active for the PAC to work, so you could get the Orange phone now, then request the PAC and pass that across.

Bear in mind if you request a cancellation then ask for a PAC code then the request for the PAC CODE cancells the cancallation notice. If you do not use it in 30 days the the contract reverts to a montly rolling contract.

When the PAC is contract terminates, and you'll be liable for any payment at that ppoint if you were still in the 18 months minimum.

Hi, thanks for the reply.

Yeah, I'm aware of the FUP before, but I never really counted an FUP as an enforced limit, whereas they put an actual limit on. However, I'm more angry about the fact when I called up their customer support in India, the woman told me several times I would not be charged. I kept saying, "So no matter how much I use, I will not be charged extra?" and she confirmed it. I then asked for a reference number, and she said she couldn't give me one, but would text me the details (which supprise, suprise, I never got)

Anyway, I finally rang them, got through to an English person (well, Scottish but at least he spoke English - pleasant guy too)

He admitted he couldn't match the deal I got, or even close, but mentioned that it would cost me £56 to end my contract now (plus my bill this month)

I then called Orange, and was told that I could pay an extra £5 at any time to increase my internet to 1GB monthly. They also said that I can sign up with them, then have up to 6 months to get the PAC code off Vodafone

So what do you advise? Just leaving my Vodafone contract and using it with my new phone (unlocked)?

Can I do that? I mean not activate my Orange contract when I get the phone until a few months later (obviously the 2 year contract will start from then)?

Also, sorry to ask so many questions, but if I can do the above, when do I request to cancel/get the PAC code? My contract runs out on the 27th February

Edit: I just found a free Desire Z, 300 minutes, unlimited texts with o2 and it works out at £20.83/mo so I could then pay for a web bolt-on

I'd prefer this as o2 is the best network, but I don't know about DialAPhone...is it part of the CPW?

Edit edit: I know the o2 3G network is really good, but how is the Orange network? I heard they only have HSDPA in 10 cities (down south?)

Guys_Dad

What I would recommend, before changing networks, is to check fully that you can get reception in your home and where you need it. A good deal with bad reception is a bad deal.

And by check, I mean use a sim from Orange to test it out.

System

Guys_Dad wrote: »

What I would recommend, before changing networks, is to check fully that you can get reception in your home and where you need it. A good deal with bad reception is a bad deal.

And by check, I mean use a sim from Orange to test it out.

Yeah, my sister is on Orange and her signal is fine.

Do you have any idea about me getting the phone from Mobiles, but not activating it with Orange, and using it with my Vodafone SIM, then activating it with Orange in a month or two?

I really want to order this phone tonight if possible so it might come on saturday before the snow

gjchester

LooieENG wrote: »

I really want to order this phone tonight if possible so it might come on saturday before the snow

If you really want it we won't be able to persuade you otherwise.

However your in contract to End of Feb, I'd say you may as well wait till your closer, even if it's jsut to save youself having to pay £50 or so to get out of the contract, you may as well use the minutes your paying for.

Phones change, Tarriffs change and offers change, the Desire Z won't be so new in february, and there may be a better model out you want or you may get more cashback or a better deal.

You could also contact Vodafone see what they will offer you, probably won't be much but gives you an idea.


Ultimatly you need to decide, we can't make that choice for you, if you really want it so be it, but the shows already setting in, and you may be too late..

System

gjchester wrote: »

If you really want it we won't be able to persuade you otherwise.

However your in contract to End of Feb, I'd say you may as well wait till your closer, even if it's jsut to save youself having to pay £50 or so to get out of the contract, you may as well use the minutes your paying for.

Phones change, Tarriffs change and offers change, the Desire Z won't be so new in february, and there may be a better model out you want or you may get more cashback or a better deal.

You could also contact Vodafone see what they will offer you, probably won't be much but gives you an idea.


Ultimatly you need to decide, we can't make that choice for you, if you really want it so be it, but the shows already setting in, and you may be too late..

Hmm, yeah, you're right about changing my mind but I was thinking maybe I could get the phone now from Mobiles and just not activate it (still not sure if that would work) until February, or just activate both and keep both SIM cards until February

However, I still want the Desire Z, and for £460 total in 2 years, I can always sell the phone later on, and get some of the money back if I see another I like (and get it PAYG)

gjchester

LooieENG wrote: »

Hmm, yeah, you're right about changing my mind but I was thinking maybe I could get the phone now from Mobiles and just not activate it (still not sure if that would work) until February, or just activate both and keep both SIM cards until February

Your contract will start as soon as they dispatch the phone, you can't wait three months before starting the contract.

Guys_Dad

LooieENG wrote: »

Hmm, yeah, you're right about changing my mind but I was thinking maybe I could get the phone now from Mobiles and just not activate it (still not sure if that would work) until February, or just activate both and keep both SIM cards until February

They don't get a penny till the network pay them, so they will register it at the earliest opportunity.

If you think about it - they would be severely out of pocket for 3 months with no revenue coming in and, of course, the network could change its plans and tariffs in the intervening 3 months.

System

Yeah, I thought so

Think I'll just go ahead and get it and keep my Vodafone SIM card in case I need it.

Especially seeing as how Vodafone are now charging me for sending text messages, even though I'm within my limit and I have any time/any network as part of my package...

Vodafone

Hi LooieENG,

I am disappointed to hear you are looking to leave us. Let me clear up some of your queries.

If you are in contract with us until February but you want to cancel your contract before then, you will need to pay the termination fee (the remainder of your line rental owed). Once that has been cleared, you can request your PAC code to transfer your number across to another network.

If you wish to stay with us until the commitment ends in February, you can continue with your contract and give your termination notice within the last 30 days. Or alternatively, if you request a PAC code that will also act as a termination request.

If in the meantime you would like to up your internet allowance as to not be charged over, we can increase it to 1gb for an extra five pounds a month.

Hope this helps,

Thanks

Heidi
Web Relations Team
Vodafone UK