Orange - avoid at all costs!

elphaba

I had a pay monthly mobile contract which I ended in January, I had a feeling then that they would mess me about so I double checked and asked for confirmation of the final amount due and when it would leave my account which I noted down. I checked on said date, the payment had successfully left my account so I went to my bank a couple of days later and stopped the direct debit. Roll on the next month and I receive a letter from Orange stating I owed them more money and the direct debit was rejected. I had to waste my time and money (the call was about 20 minutes and a 0845 number) to dispute this and they finally agreed that I did not owe them anything.

Today I came home from work to find a letter from a debt collect agency claiming I still owe them money. Another 20 min phone call to Orange to waste my time & money, at first they suggested I pay the debt and Orange will reimburse me to which I replied that that was not happening at all and they need to find another solution for their mistake. After being on hold for a while I was then told I just needed to call the debt people to confirm I do not owe any money (which I have now done.) I have logged a complaint with them but they didn't really sound bothered, I've looked for an ombudsman to complain to but I've only found CISAS and it seems I can only log a complaint if the dispute is still open which it isn't so I guess Orange have got away with their harassing behaviour.

:mad:

a1054966

I'd second any call to boycott Orange.

When I switched from them they failed to cancel my subscription (or whatever you call it), despite me having emailed them and them having emailed me back to say it would end on such and such a date. Luckily I had cancelled my direct debit so they got no money, but they tried to claim money similar to above. My advice is get it in writing beforehand with them, always.

thepurplegoldfish

I'd third any call the avoid Orange. Dreadful, Just Dreadful.

dreavi

I like Orange, always treated me well, free upgrades and such and I get cheap cinema tickets on Wedensdays. Huzzah

Empty_pockets

Had a similar story several years ago.

Ended up with a Default (now removed)

Paid the full ammount for an early termination, then got letters asking for more money.

After several year I paid the differnce, circa £40 and they removed the default.

I think it's a problem with their billing cycle but either way it's should have been sorted out a long time ago.

On PAYG Giff Gaff these days, much better. All these telecoms companies are cowboys, BT included.

Proc

It's because Orange charge in advance for line rental, but a month in arrears for calls. So, what I'm guessing has happened is in between putting in for cancellation and the actual termination date you have made some calls that have then come through on a later bill.

donnap83

My main complaint with Orange is the crappy signal. Between Oct-Dec last year 2 of the 3 mast were down, meaning everyones calls were using 1 mast. I was never able to make calls, recieve calls or send and recieve texts. It improved after Xmas but it's happening again. Both me and my fiance are struggling to use our phones, and I know of several other people in the same boat. Its really frustrating! My contract is ending in August and I really hope to get a contract with a different network :mad:

tommyknocker

They are all as bad as each other . . Orange, o2, T-Mobile, Vodaphone, etc, . . .money robbing cowboys. There are so many different price plans, add-ons, offers, etc, it's a full time job keeping up with it all.

Just been informed about Asda Pay-as-you-go package.

: 50p for the sim, 8p a minute flat rate any network, 4p per text.

That's better than most contract plans and I'm off to see if it's for real tomorrow.

DCFC79

tommyknocker wrote: »

They are all as bad as each other . . Orange, o2, T-Mobile, Vodaphone, etc, . . .money robbing cowboys. There are so many different price plans, add-ons, offers, etc, it's a full time job keeping up with it all.

Just been informed about Asda Pay-as-you-go package.

: 50p for the sim, 8p a minute flat rate any network, 4p per text.

That's better than most contract plans and I'm off to see if it's for real tomorrow.

its not a full time job to keep up with it

not had an isue with orange well ill tell a lie had 1 problem but was sorted out easily, i have been considering leaving orange to go to another network but unsure which 1

fozmcfc

OP, the most serious problem could be the damage this has done to your credit report as you will now have a default on it and this will affect you in get credit for up to the next 6 years.

If after investigations you do not owe any money, you need to look at getting the default removed.

If you do still owe some monies for calls made, then you could be on a very sticky wicket. By rights you should never cancel a direct debit, without at least infoming the company.

It is always better to be safe than sorry and leave it open. If a company incorrecly takes another payment, you can always get the money reversed, under the direct debit guarantee.