Are they allowed to call them "Upgrades"

ryantcb

Without going into too much detail. I am with O2 and at the end of yet another contract I went online to see what upgrade deals I could get and see that the deal for a new customer are exactly the same as those supposedly for my "Upgrade". Is this not false advertising as it leads me to believe an upgrade is a reward for loyalty when clearly there isn't any?

grumbler

You don't have to be a linguist to say that the word 'upgrade' cannot be interpreted as a 'reward' or a 'reward for loyalty'.

In this context it means just getting a new phone, nothing more. This phone doesn't even have to be discounted or 'free'.

ryantcb

grumbler wrote: »

You don't have to be a linguist to say that the word 'upgrade' cannot be interpreted as a 'reward' or a 'reward for loyalty'.

In this context it means just getting a new phone, nothing more. This phone doesn't even have to be discounted or 'free'.

Yes but why is there even an upgrade option on the site when clearly it may as well not be there as all offers are exactly the same.

if you see the "new customer door" and the "upgrade door" you would expect to see a different offer behind each. but if they both lead to the same offer, whats the point of having 2 doors. Is it not giving a false indication?

grumbler

ryantcb wrote: »

Yes but why is there even an upgrade option on the site when clearly it may as well not be there as all offers are exactly the same.

It's a rhetoric question. Why would it not be there? Surely the procedure is not the same for the new and the existing customers.

if you see the "new customer door" and the "upgrade door" you would expect to see a different offer behind each.

I wouldn't. In fact the main point of O2 recent adverts was that the existing customers cannot get a worse deal than the new ones. I.e. in the past they could get a worse deal.

but if they both lead to the same offer, whats the point of having 2 doors. Is it not giving a false indication?

I think 'false indication' is a new concept invented by you.

Techhead_2

ryantcb wrote: »

Yes but why is there even an upgrade option on the site when clearly it may as well not be there as all offers are exactly the same.

if you see the "new customer door" and the "upgrade door" you would expect to see a different offer behind each. but if they both lead to the same offer, whats the point of having 2 doors. Is it not giving a false indication?

A bit of history will put things into perspective for you. It used to be that new customers got good discounts which ended after the minimum period and by upgrading you paid more than you were, but with a newer phone. This is still the case with some providers, but of course you can always try to negotiate a better deal.

With O2, upgrading customers can automatically get the same price as new customers and they are eligible for a twelve month minimum term rather than 18. And you can still try to negotiate for a better deal.

I don't think there is anything wrong with the way it works, your not forced to upgrade or even stay with the same provider.

jbainbridge

That's there for the lazy people who can't be bothered to look around. You've already seen though it!!

Wait until you are right at the end of your contract. Look about for a better deal ... then request your PAC and see what they can do. If they can't ... leave.

Buzby

And as a clarification the 'end of your contract' is when YOU intimate termination. It will NOT end without you doing something to trigger it - as a minimum term commitment is just that, the contract rolls on after you've reached it.