MSE News: Orange to raise monthly mobile costs

sat_mad

I'm feeling left out as I haven't my text message yet.

Daft_Punk

acuwa wrote: »

I rang orange to use the 'material detriment' argument because I have had my fill with orange and I have been with them around 12 years but they just have no loyalty anymore. I'm moving to Australia next year and out of courtsey rang to let them know I would no longer ned their services. They have been no help in the past month when I have been trying to end my contract and have shown no understanding.

The advisors they have on the phone currently are now just sitting there reading what must be a prepared script and if you question it, they just repeat the script.

When I mentioned I would speak to OFCOM the 'Customer Service' Advisor so that it was ok by her...

Do you really think Orange (or any company) are going to let you cancel a contract because your moving abroad?

So you just got a free smartphone on a 24 month contract and 6 months later you ring up to say your leaving for Australia and want to cancel your contract free of charge. do you really think that is going to happen? Can you imagine how many people would start to do that when they found it it was possible.

And what did you expect the advisor to say?

Advisor: Orange wont let you cancel but I will overrule my employers and jeopardise my job because I am really helpful!!

jasonwatkins

Don't really know what to do here. my contract ends on the 22nd of August next year, but my income is about to be cut by 40% per week so any price rise, no matter how small, is going to be a big problem for me because even maintaining the bills i currently have, along with rent and food, will leave me with zero in the way of disposable income.

so for me personally, this rise really is a big detriment.

steve237

Only read the first page so apologies if it's already been mentioned...

Got the text, read the T&C's (they are within rights to increase monthly charges). Called 150 from OrangeMobile and was very friendly to a ;ady, explaining that at a time when I am trying to reduce my outgoings, this news was disappointing and was there anything she could do.

I'm in the middle of a 24 month contract on Racoon 15 with an HTC Desire HD. I am on 150 minutes, 350 texts and a freebie of 500gb data when not in wi-fi zone. This costs me £15 a month.

After 2 minutes, she somehow managed to reduce my monthly fee to £10 and increase the texts from 350 to 550, leaving the minutes and data the same.

No extention to contract either so can bail out in 12 months when 24 month contract is up.

Very odd, but well worth the call! Instead of losing money I saved £60 over the course of the next year and got free minutes!

Give it a try.... just be nice :beer:

I like Orange

steve237

PS - it wouldn't have been the end of th woerld anyway, it would only have worked out at about a pound a month extra (or less, on my tariff).

Guys_Dad

jasonwatkins wrote: »

Don't really know what to do here. my contract ends on the 22nd of August next year, but my income is about to be cut by 40% per week so any price rise, no matter how small, is going to be a big problem for me because even maintaining the bills i currently have, along with rent and food, will leave me with zero in the way of disposable income.

so for me personally, this rise really is a big detriment.

I am sorry to read of your financial difficulties and wish you a resolution that will prove favourable.

I think you highlight something that I have been commenting on for some time now. Until it hits you personally - as it has done to you - people are somewhat blind to the potential problem when their income is hit severely. The number of MSE members who go rushing into Iphone or similar contracts at £40 per month or more frightens me. It is all very well when things are good, but to be tied to a 24 month contract with the fear of Credit blacklisting in this economic environment is not sensible unless you have reserves/savings.

Whereas I am truly sympathetic to your current difficulties, I hope your post can act as a caution to other members.

Good luck. :beer:

drbesty

acuwa wrote: »

I rang orange to use the 'material detriment' argument because I have had my fill with orange and I have been with them around 12 years but they just have no loyalty anymore. I'm moving to Australia next year and out of courtsey rang to let them know I would no longer ned their services. They have been no help in the past month when I have been trying to end my contract and have shown no understanding.

The advisors they have on the phone currently are now just sitting there reading what must be a prepared script and if you question it, they just repeat the script.

When I mentioned I would speak to OFCOM the 'Customer Service' Advisor so that it was ok by her...

Of course they're reading from a script, they get briefed on what to say, what do you expect? Thats usually how a company works, the people at the top tell the bottom what to do.

thor

When cartels like the utilities raise their prices, customers usually have nowhere to go as all of the companies are at it. Now Orange like the rest of the networks are trying it on, safe in the knowledge that despite all the outrage relatively few customers will desert them because of this reason. How good would it be if Orange lost a significant number this time...say 25%? All it needs is for people to realise that their life does not depend on a mobile and maybe switching to a pay as you go would not be the end of the world if it means they cut down on usage.

Careful_hands_67

What this needs is a class action lawsuit against Orange for unfair contract terms. If there is a good, keen brief on this forum who would like to launch such an action I am sure they would not be short of willing participants.

Anyone out there with the b**ls to take on Orange??

Anyone??

p.s. If this ever got anywhere near a courtroom, Orange would lose and this would set a huge precedent in the whole service/utilities industry. It's a colossal legal battle just waiting to happen. It happened with the banks and PPI and also endowments misselling and it just needs someone prepared to fight the big guy through the courts.

Don't think it would ever get to court because Orange would cut their losses beforehand.

blazemore

Why does it matter if it's in their terms & conditions? If it's illegal, it's illegal.

If they put in their t&cs that they could break into your house and steal your TV, and you agreed, that doesn't mean they'd still be allowed to do it.