Best way to get a cheaper deal?

rachel90

Hi everyone!
I'm due to upgrade my mobile phone on Wednesday :j. I'm on o2 and would like to stay with them, I'm currently paying around £37 for unlimited texts and a lot of minutes (I'm unsure how many, possibly 600). I don't need this amount of minutes but will need a data package. I know the phone I want to get and on o2's website, if I pay £80 (one off) I could get the phone I want with unlimited texts, 100 or 200 minutes and 500MB data. According to the website, this will then be £21.50 per month over 24 months so I'll be saving £15.50 per month :j but will have to pay £80 to actually get the phone :eek: I can afford this but would rather not have to pay that much!
My question is, does anyone have any tips/hints regarding getting a cheaper one off price or a bit knocked off my bill every month? Also, will the shop have different prices to the website?

Thank you!
Rachel

OneADay

Probably best to talk to O2 on the phone and tell them what phone you want - if they can't match your expections, move to another network that can offer something (just check the coverage in your area first).

You can get some inkling of o2 offerings through their web site - though if you look at CPW or Phones4u web sites - they have options for upgrades on O2 which might work out cheaper. And use Quidco or Topcashback to get a further discount for the upgrade.

grumbler

I think you are likely to get the best offer if you get a PAC and wait until the retentions department call you.
However, I think o2 are known not to haggle much - check this thread: 02 Retentions thread 2
Because of this you are very likely to find a better deal as new customer via some independent retailer. Then you can transfer your number to the new contract.
Check moneysupermarket, mobilephonechecker.co.uk, omio .com and similar websites.

jbainbridge

Assuming you're at the end of your contract do as Grumbler says and request your PAC ... Then see what deal you can get. Its always a good idea to know what you'd accept before you ring up.

rachel90

Sorry, daft question but what is PAC?:o

grumbler

Porting Authorisation Code.
You get it when you want to leave and take your number with you to another network.
It lasts for 30 days and terminates the contract if used (given to the new network), but you don't have to use it. If you don't, it just expires and you stay with your network.

rachel90

Ok then, I'll have a look into that, thanks! :T

kez_s

I've just requested my PAC code from O2 which they have sent, as this is first time I've done this and have been with them since the days of BT Cellnet is it something they take seriously and should I expect a call? What they've offered me I'm not that impressed with so requested it so that I've got it handy if a better deal arises elsewhere but I didn't expect O2 to call me based on my request.

latecomer

They probably will but not guaranteed - check out the 02 Retentions thread to see other peoples experiencs.