Orange 'Free' Broadband

Gadgetmaster

SuperAllyB wrote: »

Have just e-mailed Ofcom (either lines are busy or i'm unlucky) to get a case number.



Not as strong a case of mis-selling as a lot of you but i still feel i shouldn't lose out. Anyone any thoughts on whether i'll get anywhere?

I believe the legal principle here is called estoppel...they have continued to provide the service, with no notification that the terms are no longer applicable...agree, not as strong as confirming the service would continue, either by email or verbally, but still a good case - don't be fobbed off!!!

canmore_boy

The_Future_is_Bright wrote: »

Just come of the phone to OFCOM. Spoke to a nice guy who asked what I wanted to complain about. I said "OFCOM" as I feel our complaints are not being taken seriously. He said what were the complaints in relation to, I said Orange. He knew immediatly what it was about, so they have had thousands. He did suggest I go to CISAS and I said that that was not possible as it was deemed a "business decision" by Orange and this was not covered in their capacity. He then said the only way forward was to take legal action.

I personally would like to know how many people 10 Downing street require in order to have a petition discussed in Parliament????
This situation has only highlighted to me that there seems to be a lot of people out there in bed with each other!!!

So Mr Cameron, for once in your life give the consumers a fair chance and stop letting Corporate companies walk over everyone with legal loopholes!!! it is disgusting.

I agree with you. I don't think OFCOM have fully grasped the full range of issues identified in this thread. They seem to have taken the view that the mis-selling of mobile contracts linked to Broadband is the sole issue. I feel it's much more than that and have told them so. I too was encouraged to go down the CISAS route. I'd prefer to send the SAS into Orange and get them sorted once and for all:rotfl:

The_Future_is_Bright

HOW TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OFCOM TAKEN FROM THEIR WEBSITE:

How to complain about Ofcom


We always do our best to meet the needs of businesses, consumers, viewers and listeners.

But sometimes things can go wrong – or we can fall short of our own high standards.

If this happens we have procedures to handle your complaints.


Ofcom consultations


If you have a complaint about our consultation process, please read our guidelines on Ofcom consultations.

These include details of how to complain to our Consultation Champion.

The Consultation Champion can only investigate complaints about how Ofcom has managed a particular consultation – for example, whether we have allowed enough time for people to respond.

They cannot investigate the substance of policy proposals. If you have a concern about specific Ofcom proposals, please contact the policy team directly.


Complaint Escalations


There is a two stage process if you are not satisfied with the way your complaint has been handled, or with the response that you have been given.

In the first instance, please contact the person or team that dealt with you and discuss your concerns directly with them. They will often be in the best position to understand your situation and give you an explanation as to what has happened.

If this does not resolve your concerns, please contact the office of the Secretary to the Corporation Graham Howell ([EMAIL="graham.howell@ofcom.org.uk"]graham.howell@ofcom.org.uk[/EMAIL]) who will review your case and respond to you as quickly as possible.

We will treat your complaint in confidence and will investigate it carefully as quickly as possible.

Every effort will be made to send a full and clear reply within 20 working days of your complaint being received. If we cannot investigate your complaint fully within that time, we will let you know and keep you informed of progress.

Should you remain dissatisfied with the response you have been given you can raise a complaint with the Parliamentary Ombudsman via your Member of Parliament.

I think we should all complain to Graham Howell as we are all told differing stories re: Orange. There is NO continuity whatsoever

Next port of call our local MP.:mad:

Will_B_Back

I agree with Canmore Boy that Ofcom are missing the point as regards the mis-selling issue. They seem to be pushing "individuals" towards fobbed off arbitration, and onwards to personal, and solo legal action.
Instead they could do as asked

1. Investigate the methods used by Orange salespeople to lure people into contracts with "free for life " broadband enticements.

2. If this behaviour is found to be illegal,then the details should be passed to the Office of Fair Trading and / or The Police for further investigation and prosecution as appropriate.

Far too much upset has been caused by this issue for it to continue without resolution.

Eva49

canmore_boy wrote: »

I agree with you. I don't think OFCOM have fully grasped the full range of issues identified in this thread. They seem to have taken the view that the mis-selling of mobile contracts linked to Broadband is the sole issue. I feel it's much more than that and have told them so. I too was encouraged to go down the CISAS route. I'd prefer to send the SAS into Orange and get them sorted once and for all:rotfl:

On reflection - and their directive to withdraw standalone BB - I don't think Ofcom misunderstand any of the issues - I am sure they are fully aware.

This has been ongoing for 9 weeks now - they have been in consultation with Orange throughout - probably trying to dig their way out.

They know full well CISAS will not/cannot arbitrate with the huge numbers affected.

What they did not consider, was the mis-selling aspect, only concentrating on the fluid Orange T&C's as the 'get out of jail free card'

At the very outset of this, Orange informed me it was no good complaining to Ofcom as it had been 'ok'd' by them.
Then, all we had 'rammed down our throats' - 'our T&C's allow us to do this!'

It was then we all started to look at the mis-sold aspect - and Ofcom's response to that? - go to CISAS - CISAS response? business decision, too many consumers involved - take legal advice.

whitecat

This is terrible. Surely someone can represent us all. MARTIN where are you NOW when WE NEED YOU THE MOST...we need your help and for someone to take a stand. Maybe someone could organise something on the westminster website or even a peaceful protest DAY? outside ORANGES headquarters. We have all been conned!! I had a girl from Orange call me today asking if I was going to sign up to the free broadband deal!! I have been a customer with orange for about 14 years and too signed up to the free for life broadband years ago thus potentially missing out on other cheaper phone deals. I also signed up for two year contract for i-phone and would have gone elsewhere if I knew that halfway into contract I would have to really start paying for just it!! Its a joke. Free for life should mean just that!! I asked her what was happening about all of the complaints surrounding this and she responded by acting as though she had never heard of anyone ever complaining before and as if I was talking a load nonsense. What are we going to do???

bod1467

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/phones/2012/08/orange-ends-free-broadband
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4149929

MSE had an article about this (article and forum thread linked above). One would have thought MSE were planning to put their company head above the parapet about this, but it seems not.

IdontlikeOrange

Eva49 wrote: »

On reflection - and their directive to withdraw standalone BB - I don't think Ofcom misunderstand any of the issues - I am sure they are fully aware.



At the very outset of this, Orange informed me it was no good complaining to Ofcom as it had been 'ok'd' by them.

Eva, I was told the same, that "the Ombudsman OK'd the Orange's decision.

I have proposed it before, and am repeating it now, after reading Whitecat's and The Bright Future's posts: let's write a common letter addressed to the highest level (Westminster? Prime Minister?) and sign it. Everyone of us! And I think it should go beyond exposing Orange. We should condemn the bloody corporate practices backed up (even if silently!) by so-called regulatory bodies (Ofcom and CISAS). Apparently the former are feeding the latter, otherwise we wouldn't have been in the current situation.
Let's do something - I am really fed up with the fact that evil money-grabbing forces are trying to rule our lives and this is becoming the norm!

Jamieupanddown

Had a letter from BT today in giant bold letters on front of envelope:
UNDER PRESSURE
TO TAKE AN
ORANGE LANDLINE?

Then offering a good deal on bt bb inside

Got to laugh bt trying to cash in on oranges mess now

RobbedRobbins

Amen to that idea.Go for it! I am trying to get the DM journalist to find out how many of us are affected/complained as it's hard to know if its just a couple of hundred of us or thousands. There really only seems to be a small nucleaus of us writing on this forum regularly so its hard to judge how large the silent majority (who are just viewing our posts but not actively joining in) is! I have sent a heartfelt email to Jeremy Vine asking him to get his old mate Martin Lewis to have a look at this issue, despite selling out this website, he must still feel honour bound to get involved! We have to keep pestering the press/westminster, Everybody, Everywhere!.

IdontlikeOrange wrote: »

Eva, I was told the same, that "the Ombudsman OK'd the Orange's decision.

I have proposed it before, and am repeating it now, after reading Whitecat's and The Bright Future's posts: let's write a common letter addressed to the highest level (Westminster? Prime Minister?) and sign it. Everyone of us! And I think it should go beyond exposing Orange. We should condemn the bloody corporate practices backed up (even if silently!) by so-called regulatory bodies (Ofcom and CISAS). Apparently the former are feeding the latter, otherwise we wouldn't have been in the current situation.
Let's do something - I am really fed up with the fact that evil money-grabbing forces are trying to rule our lives and this is becoming the norm!