At last upgrade time - ditch Vodafone?

ggmf

It’s that time again when I can upgrade my phone or look at alternatives. Both my partner and I have been with Vodafone for years, we both upgraded last time to the Nokia N97 mini, on paper the phone did everything that we wanted, but it’s now acknowledged as the world’s worst phone by the Nokia CEO!
The thing is useless; we have both been stuck in contracts paying for this thing without being able to use it as intended. (While Vodafone rub their hands with glee).
Now with Vodafone and Nokia knowing how bad this phone is, you might have thought that a ‘package‘ could be arranged to help customers with this phone and restore a little faith (sorry I know I’m being naive).
So what to do now?
Upgrades offered in the Vodafone stores are exactly the same as those listed on the web site, no ‘special deals’ here.
Options appear to be: (1) stay with Vodafone and attempt to get a phone that works but knowing how poor Vodafone customer service is and how much they hold their customers in contempt - (2) Get a PAYG handset and a sim only deal on a short term contract - (3) request our PAC codes, walk into a competitors store and see what options they will give to new customers? what would you do?
Our contracts are 600 minutes + Unlimited Texts with Mobile Internet and Vodafone Passport. Looking at Smartphones that can (1) make and receive calls (now that would be novel after the last 18 months), (2) FM radio, (3) Internet, (4) Calendar sync with outlook, (5) GPS, (6) not interested in camera, nice to have but not important., (7) wifi, and (8) bluetooth (that works) enabled

bengalknights

Have you called up yet and done a cancellation they tend to come back with offers after you cancel.

Stuart_W

You could remove any possibility of being tied down to a handset in the future by looking at SIM-only options and buying the handset yourself.

There is a huge range of options out there. What immediately springs to mind for 600 minutes, unlimited texts and data usage is either £20 per month on pay as you go with GiffGaff or a £15 T-mobile SIM from Chitterchatter (this is a 12 month £10 contract with a £5 booster added). If 250 mins is enough, Tesco have a £10 deal including texts and data.

Then find the handset you want and buy it yourself - free to move around to a better deal when you like.
If paying upfront is at first thought to be not an option, take a look at the limited range at Additions Direct - not price competitive, but available on pay nothing for 12 months (and if you pay off the full amount before the end of the period, you pay no interest).

Just something to at least compare to all the "free" handsets you'll be offered.

MorrisonsEmployee

Get you PAC code and ditch Vodafone! Probably one of the worst companies i have ever had the misfortune of dealing with - Their customer service is a joke! Armed with your PAC code and shopping around you will get a fantastic deal!

Guys_Dad

Not defending Vodafone - although I have no problems to report with my current Vodafone contract as yet - but given that your main gripe seems to be with the Nokia N97, may I just ask if any network did any settlement deals for those who bought into Nokia N97s on 24 month contracts?

simax

Guys_Dad wrote: »

Not defending Vodafone - although I have no problems to report with my current Vodafone contract as yet - but given that your main gripe seems to be with the Nokia N97, may I just ask if any network did any settlement deals for those who bought into Nokia N97s on 24 month contracts?

Orange/T-Mobile certainly didn't.

ridethelightning

Just read some of the threads on here and you will surely avoid vodafone at all costs! They are no cheaper than any of the competitors and have awefull customer service. If you go for another contract sign up through a cashback site (topcashback, quidco etc) and you will get upto £150 back too.

MorrisonsEmployee

ggmf wrote: »

Our contracts are 600 minutes + Unlimited Texts with Mobile Internet and Vodafone Passport. Looking at Smartphones that can (1) make and receive calls (now that would be novel after the last 18 months), (2) FM radio, (3) Internet, (4) Calendar sync with outlook, (5) GPS, (6) not interested in camera, nice to have but not important., (7) wifi, and (8) bluetooth (that works) enabled

For what you are looking for maybe you should get an iPhone - T- Mobile have the same bundle you are on now for iPhone [600 minutes, Unlimited text, Unlimited data] for £35 per month - You also currently get £150 cashback via Quidco if you take out an iPhone 4 contract with them.

gadgeteer_2

To be fair you will find people who will tell you O2 customer service. Other's who will say Orange are the pits and so on.

As for phones, I think you should look at either the iphone (bearing in mind the new one will come out later this year...) or at the new HTC Desire S which seems to be incredible value. That said, as much as I want to love Android, each time I've used it I've left feeling that its "close but no cigar" when compared to the iphone.

spaceboy

Vodafone have gone downhill imo. I hate contracts now actually Pay as you go is the way to go. Try giffgaff they have good deals.

baldelectrician

The options with Vodafarce are as follows

1: Leave
2: Leave soon
3: Leave very soon
4: Leave now
5: Run
6: Definately leave
7: Don't stay

:rotfl:

They are truly crap for Customer Service (closely followed by Orange/T-Mobile who are sacking staff all over the UK and transferring UK jobs overseas - with abysmal customer service)