Batter down your mobile contract cost

Edinburghlass_2

Welcome to MSE and the Telephone Boards Spangle

Well done on your upgrade with Orange, its always nice to see Martin's advice is still valid as this thread has been running so long.

robin1306

Mmmm. T-mobile dont want to play ball they refused to upgrade my current contract to match their web offer. They insisted they could only offer me and upgrade phone provided I agreed to pay £154 for an upgrade phone. The 'free' alternatives offered for upgrade were older models and had none of the features of the phone that I already had. They could upgrade the contract though and match the minutes and texts but couldn't offer a new phone. So I cancelled the contract and bought the phone with the increased contract minutes off the web for £59 quid. This bullying the network only seems to work if you are paying £40+ on contract. Basically you've been mugged for so long anyway the network probably feels guilty and gives in to give you a better deal to stay with them. I also notice that most of you bullying the networks are on 'open' contracts so the networks know that at some point you are likely to exceed your allowances and so make them lots of expensive calls. This has probably already been posted but 45 pages of posts at midnight was bit too much to read!!!!

psc3239

I managed to get a good deal out of O2, am on 50minutes X anytime with 100 odd texts for £19, called them and they would double it but wanted £20 for a new phone and 18 month contract. so i had a good look on the net and went back to them today to cancel my contract and when asked why i told them i could get a better deal with dial a phone. so they have given me free new phone, 200 x anytime and 500 texts for £15, 12 month contract. :beer:

Jarlawuk

Hi - I work for a major mobile phones retailer, just wanted to say that this website is great and to point out one new change in regards to the changing your contract article. Vodafone now require customers to be on the same tariff for 9 months before they can change, this has been in effect since 1st jan 2006. However, this only applies to customers who have signed up on/since that time, so people who signed up before then don't have to worry.

This also excludes upgrade customers as well, so if you try to change your tariff (which can be done after 3 months on upgrade), therefore if the customer services adviser tries to tell you otherwise, thank them politely and hang up (arguing doesn't help you), call again and then the next operator should be able to help you.

Beluga_2

robin1306 wrote:

This bullying the network only seems to work if you are paying £40+ on contract.

Not so!

Firstly, I think "bullying the network" is the last thing you should be doing. I just ask nicely for exactly what I want, and back it up with evidence. People are far more willing to negotiate if you're easy to talk to.

I'm on the same network and have monthly bills of £15-20. I saw a phone I really liked, but I didn't like the £80 it would cost to upgrade. As my last upgrade was 3 years ago, and I've been a customer for 6 years, I figured it was time I got something back, especially as O2 were offering a better package.

The first person I spoke to gave me some offers, but didn't really seem bothered if I left ("PAC code? Yes sir, just give us a call here and we'll be happy to sort it out for you"). When I called back with further questions, I spoke to someone else who was far more helpful. He couldn't discount the phone I wanted, but pointed me to a very similar model that had all the features I wanted. It was normally around £130 for new connections, but on special offer at £90. As an upgrade customer, it would be £70. But as I had found a better deal, it was free! :rotfl:

A similar thing happened the last time I upgraded. I couldn't get any kind of discount over the phone, but they relented when I wrote a letter asking why they were forcing me to leave.

Red_Avenger

Been with Orange approx 7 years average bill last 12 months was £38 despite being on £25/month contract (150min + 250texts)

Saw offer for new customers 200 min + 500 texts £30/month with first 3 months half price (ie £26.25/month) + free SPV C600.

Was told couldnt upgrade to this deal as this was for new customers and the best they could do was offer + £30 for phone.

I simply kept trying over the course of a week and despite having asked for the PAK code and told them I was going to leave, they wouldn't budge.

This process taught me that they do not record all the conversations they have (I asked the final operator) so dont worry about hanging up and trying again to see if you get a better operator.

Anyway, ended up with 300min + 500 texts + C600 for £26/month.

datamile

Trying it with Orange now... Been a customer for 12 years on talk 60 plan ( £15), and only upgraded twice.

Want a w800i for free.

They say that'll be £199 based on last 3 months spend... looks like they don't care about long term relationships etc.

e2save will do it for free + talk 120 @ £2 for 7m + £30 for 5m, so £13.50... less than I paying now.

There doesn't appear to be any benefit for customer loyality anymore, might as well move ever 12 months and take the best deal at the time.

Jarlawuk

T-Mobile are launching new plans as of 1st of march next month. Their new plans blow 3g out of the water. So I suggest if you are on orange and due for an upgrade then hold fire (you can get them to price match voda/o2/T-Mobile). If you are considering taking out a new T-mobile/3g contract - hold fire until then as well. In all my years in phone retail, ain't ever seen anything like it, I'm gonna join T-mobile for the first time ever next month its that good heh

Vinnie

Jarlawuk wrote:

T-Mobile are launching new plans as of 1st of march next month. Their new plans blow 3g out of the water. So I suggest if you are on orange and due for an upgrade then hold fire (you can get them to price match voda/o2/T-Mobile). If you are considering taking out a new T-mobile/3g contract - hold fire until then as well. In all my years in phone retail, ain't ever seen anything like it, I'm gonna join T-mobile for the first time ever next month its that good heh

Can you spill a few beans on the new package?

Got my PAC code from three and have been doing my research in to a new phone. Want a PDA type and nearly got one from t-mobile earlier today, but I thought I'd check MSE first!!!

TheHacker

After over 7 years of suffering with T-mobile, I got tired of the £50 - £100 bill I paid every month, so I decided to try Martins "Batter Down" method.

Imagine my shock when (after threatening to leave) I was quickly offered 750 X-network mins + 200 texts + New Ericsson Handset for just £23 a month!!!

I'm still in so much shock, that I took the day-off today to await delivery of my new handset!:j

Your really do live and Learn - Thanks Martin - You are a true life-saver!!

For anybody else still waiting around, TRY IT - IT REALLY DOES WORK!

PS: offer is called Flext 35 (but I got extra discount)