MSE News: Orange to raise monthly mobile costs

richardsonjones

I am particularly amused by the fact that Orange seem to believe themselves to be able to determine what is of material financial detriment to me, without any reference to my financial position, incomings, outgoings etc. Surely this is an entirely objective test based upon the individuals' means and the specific additional amount that will fall due, based on the length of term left and actual increase in pounds and pence over that period? The arrogance astounds me. As another poster suggested, this will inevitably be followed shortly by boasts of increases in profit. Suffice to say I'm pursuing a formal complaint with Ofcom / CISAS and will be off like a flash at the earliest opportunity, even if I have to wait until the end of my contract period. The increase may only be a few quid, but I don't appreciate unethical business practices and being treated like a mug.

Smeagal

Smeagal wrote: »

I just rang and spoke with UK call centre this time (retentions), got put through to a manager who offered me 6 months 5% discount to negate the price increase.

He told me this was for everyone anyway, I don't believe that as it is not widely known if it was, it is not mentioned on the Orange page which mentions the increase, I suspect it is being offered for people who complain.

I then received a text mentioning the 5% discount and he said everyone would be receiving a letter saying that they get 5% discount for the first 6 months, again I don't think that is true as if everyone was getting 5% discount as standard for the first 6 months then why not just start it in July and not January, also you would think it would be mentioned on the Orange increase webpage.

It seems an hour after this call I have been disconnected and hit with a £167 termination fee for the remaining 9 months contract.

Totally bizarre, I rang up to query the price increase and complain, a manager gives me 5% discount for 6 months and then an hour later am disconnected and hit with termination fee.

Not amused.

clb776

So I got a text this morning...

To say I am angry would be an understatement!! I have been with orange for 6 years, I have had many problems but I stay with them mainly because I get good upgrade deals that can't be beaten, but it's also just easier.

When I took out my contract I was told it was £x a month for x months. I was not told that in that period the price could go up with inflation!!! I thought a contract was in place to provide protection for both the consume (I will pay x for x months and after this time I am free to move providers/upgrade, in return I get a free handset/ this amount of talk time) and the provider (we will provide you with this providing you pay us x for x months) then if no payment is received then the phone is cut off until you pay the bill/damage your credit rating.

I think it's atrocious that they can get away with it? Why don't they put up the call charges outside of your allowance? At least then there is a choice...I've used my minutes and now I know if I go over it I am making a conscious decision to pay extra than I previously agreed!!

When you are in contract it is not the same as paying more for your groceries!!!! I can decide if I still want to buy kingsmill bread now it's 10p more or buy something else!

thischris1991

Smeagal wrote: »

It seems an hour after this call I have been disconnected and hit with a £167 termination fee for the remaining 9 months contract.

Totally bizarre, I rang up to query the price increase and complain, a manager gives me 5% discount for 6 months and then an hour later am disconnected and hit with termination fee.

Not amused.

Technically what they have done is not right, you have 30 days from when you gave them notice to cancel the contract and then the termination fee comes in to play after that 30 days notice because you have exited the contract early as such mearly said your happy with the increases and want to give your 30 days notice. if however you want to stay connected ring them back with in 30 days and the just cancel the termination request

Gazmo

clb776 wrote: »

So I got a text this morning...

To say I am angry would be an understatement!! I have been with orange for 6 years, I have had many problems but I stay with them mainly because I get good upgrade deals that can't be beaten, but it's also just easier.

When I took out my contract I was told it was £x a month for x months. I was not told that in that period the price could go up with inflation!!! I thought a contract was in place to provide protection for both the consume (I will pay x for x months and after this time I am free to move providers/upgrade, in return I get a free handset/ this amount of talk time) and the provider (we will provide you with this providing you pay us x for x months) then if no payment is received then the phone is cut off until you pay the bill/damage your credit rating.

I think it's atrocious that they can get away with it? Why don't they put up the call charges outside of your allowance? At least then there is a choice...I've used my minutes and now I know if I go over it I am making a conscious decision to pay extra than I previously agreed!!

When you are in contract it is not the same as paying more for your groceries!!!! I can decide if I still want to buy kingsmill bread now it's 10p more or buy something else!

i dont like kingsmill

ive sent them an email threatening legal action, will report once i get a reply, if they fob me off i will goto the Ombudsman. simples. i will spend the money on taking it to court even if it will cost x amount, i wont stand for this.

Mrshaworth2b

My partner works for Phones for you, he told me yesterday what to do about this. I have already called orange 4 times in the last week with 3g coverage problems and the service i received from their call centres in india were shocking! So had already wrote a letter and a email of complaint and waiting to hear from that also.

Today I called Ofcom and logged a complaint with them and got a case number then I called 0800 0790 134 which I assume is a head office number for orange not just the call centre and got a nice man who explained that they are allowed to do this and read me some points of the terms and condition. Then he told me that he'll contact me in 2 days about my other complaint. Offered no compensation over having to ring 4 times. I will be writing to CISAS and will take it further because I do want out of their crap service!!

John_G66

John_G66 wrote: »

Although the increase will not have a huge hit on my wallet, I hope it will give me a chance to get out of my contract. For the past year (since moving) my home signal is absolutely non existent :mad: I appreciate that the Orange t & c's cover signal issues but it did'nt cover me missing out on some overtime at the weekend because of again no signal at home . On the whole Orange have been OK for me but I'm sick of having to go outside my house and freeze my nuts off to make a call. I have Orange BB (again this has been good) so could 'hook up' with a UMA phone, but unfortunately Orange won't change my phone, even though I've offered to pay, they have kindly agreed to release me for a few hundred quid :mad:. So for me and for the sake of my cold testicles I will keep a close eye on this thread !!

Was hoping 24hrs later that Orange may have caved in let's keep the pressure on them guys. On a brighter note my Winciette pyjamas (spotted on Hot UK Deals) arrived today and are consequently a blessing to my testicles whilst making outside calls.

diamonds

Any price increase in terms & conditions can be unfair under UNFAIR REGULATIONS.... 1 person 1 court, and this practice will be stamped out cos lets face facts Ofcon wont do jack !

Paul_Varjak

This would be very advantageous for me if I could get out of contract without penalty mas I will have been 18 months into a 24 month contract when the price rises happen.

All my cashback is paid within the first 18 months, so for months 19-24 I will not get any more cashback. With cashback, my deal works out at £1/month; if I could leave after 18 months without penalty I could save £150! That means I would have been paid £126 to take out a contract with unlimited landline calls and 400 x-networks minutes each month!

Of course, if Orange offer me 5% discount then there will be no material detriment during the rest of my contract so, I guess, I could not leave without penalty!

mollysbb

Hi, I, too, am furious with Orange and their nonchalant text informing me of a price rise. I've been with them for about 15 years and the customer service used to be brilliant, but my renewal (about a year ago) was not handled well, In July I received 10 days worth of voicemails all in one go (so some of them 10 days old) and was very dissatisfied with their response to my complaint. Then in September I ordered, and paid for, an unlocking code so that I could pass my contract phone on to my son. Waited over a week for the email; when the code came it didn't work. Rang and complained and was told another one would be sent. Waited over a week and nothing arrived; when I rang to enquire I was told that it's not possible to unlock this particular model..! So son, who had by now moved to London to university, was still without means of communication.
So, to all those who say "it's only £1 - get over it" I would like to reply that this is just the final straw for me, and I've had enough of Orange and their metaphorical shrugs of the shoulders in the face of complaints about their appalling service. If this rise would give me sufficient grounds to leave them early, I would be delighted..