Vodafone won't let me keep my number for a new contract

Buzby

Certainly not - Online sellers have their phones supplied from the same distributors (and brnading) so if it's locked in the High Street, it'll be locked mail order too. Only when you buy-out any subsidy (eg, pay £50+ for a handset that would normally be provided free on contract) MAY be unlocked, but the only way to find out is to try, with the expectation being it will be locked.

The rate you pay to sign up is agreed for a new connection, which will allow a number port in (from a different network), but NOT a migration from an existing number on the same network. The reason why this is done is to prevent people doing what you want to do, save more money. They hold all the cards in this regard, and I know of them refusing the suggested plan of a late-port (via a different network PAYG or contrract) until the minimum term has been completed.

rob_2512

Buzby wrote: »

I know of them refusing the suggested plan of a late-port (via a different network PAYG or contrract) until the minimum term has been completed.

Are they allowed to refuse?

And even if they don't like it, surely this is still better for them than going to another network?

robbies_gal

i was told i had to port to a payg on a different nwtowrk then gets it transfered over i couldnt be bothered and just took the new number

it is annoying i dont know why they cant just transfer it for you and still treat it as a new account

chrispafc

Call Vodafone and tell them you want to leave them. Explain that you're not happy about the fuss about upgrading to a contract and keeping your number. They will bend over backwards to keep you! You may as well claim to have found another tariff on the internet with more minutes and texts and they will match it.

Retentions - not upgrades!

rob_2512

chrispafc wrote: »

Call Vodafone and tell them you want to leave them. Explain that you're not happy about the fuss about upgrading to a contract and keeping your number. They will bend over backwards to keep you! You may as well claim to have found another tariff on the internet with more minutes and texts and they will match it.

Retentions - not upgrades!

I have spoken to Vodafone and while they were able to improve their offer, they are not interested in matching an internet deal.

Buzby

rob_2512 wrote: »

Are they allowed to refuse?

And even if they don't like it, surely this is still better for them than going to another network?

Yes, because the customer is not porting a number (for which there are rules). Migration - which describes same-network transfers - do not follow these rules, and if the customer is trying to play hard-ball with a pricing deal, the networks do the same to prevent it!

slenderkitten

Aiming_High wrote: »

Phone numbers can't be moved contract to contract within the same company, but you maybe able to get your number moved to pay as you go, then once that's moved get it moved from payg to the new contract. Long winded but works on their systems.

That's news to me mind you i am on orange been with them 15 years witht he same number contract to contract, it would be a GREAT inconveneice for you to tell everyone your new number. i would complain i mean its not as if you cant get a puk code and take it to another operator to take it on so i am dubious about this.

rob_2512

Aiming_High wrote: »

Phone numbers can't be moved contract to contract within the same company, but you maybe able to get your number moved to pay as you go, then once that's moved get it moved from payg to the new contract. Long winded but works on their systems.

rob_2512 wrote: »

Thanks for this - transferring to Vodafone PAYG then to the new contract would be simpler (and you get to keep the credit!) However, it's not entirely clear that you can transfer the number to an existing contract rather than a new contract. Do you know if you can you do this?

Buzby wrote: »

The rate you pay to sign up is agreed for a new connection, which will allow a number port in (from a different network), but NOT a migration from an existing number on the same network. The reason why this is done is to prevent people doing what you want to do, save more money. They hold all the cards in this regard, and I know of them refusing the suggested plan of a late-port (via a different network PAYG or contrract) until the minimum term has been completed.

It has worked! I cancelled the contract on the renewal date, and asked for the number to be moved to PAYG (which they did, using the same SIM). As soon as this happened, I completed a form to transfer the number from PAYG to my new contract, and was told the transfer would take place the next day, which it did about mid-morning. Not too painful at all!

robbies_gal

nice one rob always workarounds these days-im going to do it next time if i stay with the same network cant be bothered with a new number yet again