MSE News: Orange to raise monthly mobile costs

Ste_C

kaz2011 wrote: »

Oh like you've not been young and made no mistakes! You know what they say about people in glass houses?

Of course, but I've since moved out of a glass house and in to one with sponge walls...

I do find this whole thread a bit laughable though with people complaining of 'material detriment'. Yes, it's annoying when prices for anything go up but we are not talking about food or water here, we're talking about mobile phones - which are luxury items and things everyone coped perfectly well without 10 or 15 years ago.

I think if anyone is in a position to afford a mobile phone, then they shouldn't have a problem finding an extra £1 - £1.50 a month to cover the price increase.

Be thankful this sort of price increase isn't forced on to us every year.

jasonwatkins

gjchester wrote: »

Why not simply get rid of Sky? You can use the dish and box to get Freesat/freesat from Sky and save even more?

After the letter i got from the council today that may well be what will happen.

drbesty

Have you never dealt with Sky before? They won't negotiate, they'll gladly let you leave, they know they have no competition, I've tried it on with them many times with no success whatsoever

jasonwatkins

yes i've dealt with sky plenty of times. if i could afford to at least threaten a switch to virgin then i certainly would.

it's very highly likely i'll now just be cancelling full stop considering the council still apparently want me to pay rent (and water rates) when my benefits have been cut nearly 40%.

Doc_N

Ste_C wrote: »

I do find this whole thread a bit laughable though with people complaining of 'material detriment'. Yes, it's annoying when prices for anything go up but we are not talking about food or water here, we're talking about mobile phones - which are luxury items and things everyone coped perfectly well without 10 or 15 years ago.

I think if anyone is in a position to afford a mobile phone, then they shouldn't have a problem finding an extra £1 - £1.50 a month to cover the price increase.

Be thankful this sort of price increase isn't forced on to us every year.

Ofcom brought the 'material detriment' factor into play, so it's no surprise people are attempting to bring themselves within it. I think the point you're overlooking is that these were sold as fixed price contracts - yes I know they have a let-out clause hidden away in the T&C, but that doesn't make what they're doing right (except in a legal sense, of course).

I'm sure I'm not the only one who's had them back down on the increase once the 'material detriment' argument has been properly put to them. They'll get away with it for the majority, which will net them a lot of cash, but overall I think they'll lose out because of the time it's costing them to deal with all the complaints, and the damaged goodwill.

Complain effectively, and you'll find they back down.

ZingThing

I am furious about this price increase, mainly becuase it invalidates the contract or the spirit of it. What's the point in having a contract if one side can amend it unilaterally? I made a complaint to their ceo and see the reply from his office/executive office:-
*************
As you probably know, inflation is at a 20 year high, which is having a significant impact on businesses and households alike.
Unfortunately, we've had to re-evaluate our prices and are sorry to say that there will be a 4.34% increase in our monthly plan prices. This is lower than the Retail Price Index measure of inflation, which currently stands at 5.4%. Out of plan charges, such as calls, texts and data will not be changing.
We are obliged, as are all UK operators, to abide by condition 9.6 of the OfCOM/EU Framework for EU Regulation. Condition 9.6 sets out what we must do if a change is of material detriment to a customer. We must provide 30 days notice and allow customers to terminate their contracts without paying a termination fee. When changes are not of material detriment, we need to provide 30 days notice (as stated in our terms), but the customer doesn't have the right to terminate their contract without paying a termination fee.
We believe the 4.34% tariff charge increases are reasonable, as they are below RPI, and therefore Orange feel this is not a material detriment to our customers. RPI for the last 12 months, as published by the government is 5.4%, and we have increased prices by less than this. So a customer paying £15 a month, will see their monthly tariff rise by 64p to £15.64 (inc. VAT) and a customer on a £20 a month tariff will see a 86p increase to £20.86 (inc. VAT) and so on. I acknowledge some customers feel the spirit of the law should allow them to disconnect without cost, however Orange feel equally that we have resisted this increase for as long as possible and must therefore advise that you would not be able to leave the agreement early without cost to yourself.
We have reviewed the basis for your complaint, namely the price increase which will come into force in January. I confirm that the rise is less than the published RPI figure and therefore is within the limits provided for within the service agreement Terms and Condition. In the circumstances the rise does not allow you to end your contract early.
The CISAS alternative dispute resolution service is not able to consider complaints or claims of this nature which relate to the fairness of the price increase.
Whilst I appreciate the above may not be to your satisfaction, I trust our final position in this matter is clear.
**********************************

So, they are saying I can't do anything.... Does anyone having any suggestions as I really want to leave them? Ideally, we should stop all these companies breaking the contract as and when they feel. Thinking of starting a petition on Downing Street site on this issue in general..
If you begin a contract it should remain the same until the end of it, otherwise do not call it a contract....
Sorry it's bit long!

Blue_nexus

ZingThing wrote: »

Thinking of starting a petition on Downing Street site on this issue in general..
If you begin a contract it should remain the same until the end of it, otherwise do not call it a contract....
Sorry it's bit long!

There already is a petition -

http:// epetitions.direct.gov.uk /petitions /24895

(remove spaces......still too new to paste links )

Doc_N

ZingThing wrote: »

I am furious about this price increase, mainly becuase it invalidates the contract or the spirit of it. What's the point in having a contract if one side can amend it unilaterally? I made a complaint to their ceo and see the reply from his office/executive office:-
*************
As you probably know, inflation is at a 20 year high, which is having a significant impact on businesses and households alike.

Basically:

We share your pain. You can't do anything about it - but we can! So stuff you.

ZingThing

signed petition now and let's stop these greedy idiots from fooling the customers. At least let's give it a try..

DUTR

ZingThing wrote: »

signed petition now and let's stop these greedy idiots from fooling the customers. At least let's give it a try..

It's the idiots that sign the petition, the company has made their mind up, and won't backtrack on it .