Orange Sim only, want to go onto Contract with phone

invisibleyousee

Hi,

If anyone could give some advice it would be much appreciated.

I'm currently on £15 SIMO with Orange, which gives me 400 minutes, unlimited texts and 500mb internet - I use my own Nokia 5800.

I'm after a new handset now, looking at the HTC Desire or Desire HD (not sure how the battery life compares between these).

I've called Orange retentions, and the best they are apparently able to offer for the HD is £32 a month, with 700 minutes, unlimited texts and 500mb or the Desire for £28 a month, 500 minutes, unlimited texts and 500mb. The handset would be free.

Neither of these deals strike me as particularly good.

I've had a look at the tariffs with Phones4U and Carphone Warehouse and the tariffs still with Orange via them seem to be cheaper with a free phone.

I need 400 minutes and a 1000 texts a month, and want the internet as well.

I'm sort of making an assumption that 500mb is adequate for the HTC Desire/Desire HD..

How would I go about keeping my existing Orange number if I took out an Orange contract via CPW or P4U?

Also - why are retentions unable to offer a deal, I've been with them for around 6/7 years now and suprised that they apparently can't even match what there contracts are being sold for by 3rd parties (and surely they have to pay a cut to them?!).

Any help/advise much appreciated...

Thank you.

grumbler

Loyalty doesn't count nowadays if you are not a big spender.
They are interested only in new customers and that's why they are paying huge commission to CPW, P4U and like, that the latter share with you by offering better deals.
Just buy a new contract. Port the existing number to a free sim with other network, then port it back to the new Orange sim.

I think the battery life is a little better for HD, but all modern phones don't last long with the screen switched on.

invisibleyousee

Thanks grumbler.

It does seem crazy and like it just makes life more complicated for all involved - surely it's cheaper for the Network to offer a retentions deal that matches/beats the CPW/P4U rather than pay them commission.

I suppose the other advantage with going via P4U is that on a 24 month contract they offer upgrade after 18 months (or at leas thats what they said in store).

Now just to try and find the best deal for the HD...

deej04

why dont you just buy the phone and upgrade your sim only to the required tarriff?:j

invisibleyousee

To get just the Desire on a handset only it's £280, the HD will be more - so it's cheaper to get it on contract at £25 p/m over 2 years.

jbainbridge

Are you at the end of your contract?

Ask for your PAC ... _then_ you will get offered better deals.

invisibleyousee

I'm on a rolling 30-day sim only. I've already rang up Retentions twice, and have made a point of inquiring regarding my PAC but they wouldn't improve the offer what-so-ever. Think tonight I'll ring up and get them to actually send it out.

At least that way once I find the best deal elsewhere I'll be ready.

Guys_Dad

Are you 100% hooked on these 2 handsets? If not, put on the charm, tell Retentions you would like a smartphone , the number of minutes etc you would like and \ask them what's the lowest monthly rental you can do.

I got an LG Android Optimus one (I needed UMA for reception), 400 mins, 300 texts, 500Mb data, unlimited landlines all for £10 per month.

It is actually a good handset - maybe not in HTC top of range class - but very good.

invisibleyousee

Hi Guys Dad,

Yes very keen on the HTC, I've been looking at handsets for a while and just find that I seem to get on quite well with the HTC. The previous LG I had I couldn't get on with that well, and I've ruled out the Samsung Galaxy because of the lack of Flash on the camera.

What is UMA - is that something to do with boosting signal?

Thanks.

jbainbridge

Ah ... ring and 'ask for your PAC' ... you should then be put through to 'Loyalty'. Before they even talk about giving you PAC they should be able to make you an offer. Say you are looking at the Desire ... it's a fairly old (but excellent) handset now so they should beable to make you a reasonble offer.

As an example I was offered the HTC Wildfire / 600mins / texts / UL data / £15.32 a month. I'd be surprised if you can't get the Desire for about £5 more. Try!

invisibleyousee

Hi jbainbridge,

That's what I was hoping for deal-wise, which is why I've been so suprised that what the Retentions have offered me before have been so rubbish! Here's hoping I'll have some better luck tonight.

When I spoke to them tried to say that I could have the Wildfire, but that would at £25 as well! I'm starting to think that Orange just don't want my custom.

Fingers crossed for tonight...!