Orange 'Free' Broadband

rubyriley

I have followed this thread for a couple of weeks and a tv programme ARE doing something about this, WE have been interviewed (& anyway whether it will be used/an airing date isn't set yet) But it's not supposedly until mid November. We too took on a mobile phone contract and were assured that free broadband was included for the period of the contract. We have very little signal at home, other members of the household are on O2 for this reason. I am not swapping broadband providers as, in my opinion, I have paid for broadband until the end of my contract, Jan 2014. Orange cannot have small print which differs hugely from the big advertising promotion which we all saw and which induced the sale of the contract. Orange would be in breach of contract by withdrawing the broadband and I have called them (same answers as everyone else) and have put my complaint in writing to the address shown on this thread. Would also take this to small claims court re financial detriment to me as a result of the breach of contract. This is sharp practice by a big organisation who should be held accountable for their actions. :T

road_hog_2

Thank you for confirming those details for us.

As a business, we have reviewed the services we currently offer our customers and unfortunately it is no longer viable for us to offer a free broadband subscription. We still want to ensure our customers receive the best deal and that is why we have implemented cost effective alternatives moving forward.

A dedicated team will be dealing with all queries from our customers. They are available on 0800 294 4747, between 09:00 - 20:00 Monday to Friday and 10:00 - 19:00 on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays. As the removal of free and £5 Broadband is a business decision, we are unable to offer customers deadlock to take the matter to independent arbitration.

We understand that withdrawal of a free product is not ideal, however we’d like to assure you that you’ll always get great value and benefits from Orange. Your comments regarding this matter are acknowledged and have been fed back for review.

I hope this helps!

Laura ,Orange Helpers

ShugMonkey

Orange probably think that they can bury this bad image because of the launch of the EE brand.
There are 5 Orange mobile customers in my house that they will be losing if they do remove our BB.

Eva49

fitz2012 wrote: »

In the first letter from Orange it said 'Please note that if we don't hear from you, your broadband will stop working on ...'.

In the second letter from Orange it said 'if you don't get in touch, unfortunately your broadband will stop working on ...'

So, I have complied by contacting Orange and getting in touch. Does this mean my broadband will not stop working ?!

For completeness and to comply!

I have just contacted Orange Broadband to confirm my cut-off date, as I have had 2 x emails.
Initially it was to be 17/10/2012...........2nd email said 6/11/2012

I am convinced the staff really haven't a clue as initially she told me it would be the initial date, only when asking WHY I had a second date did she go off for advice then come back and tell me it would be the 2nd date!!!!:mad:

So, it has now been confirmed my cut-off date is 6th November.

Just off to update watchdog and put them straight; Orange said the 'offer' ran from 'October 2006'; however, I have evidence to the contrary which shows July 2006, I have a rental agreement for the orange livebox; "A warm welcome to Orange Broadband" letter dated 14/07/2006, a direct debit confirmation letter, dated 21 July 2006,as well as the original delivery note for my handset dated 03/07/2006.

Orange need to do their homework!

watchdog

I honestly believe that most people are reasonable, understanding and flexible - qualities sadly lacking in many corporate boardrooms in 2012. In today's morally bankrupt corporate age, exponential profit and personal bonuses are their Holy Grail, the customer is merely seen as a cash cow, and "aspirational service excellence" is the hollow and disingenuous patter of slick PR merchants.

Of course, mistakes are made, that much is understood, to err is human. Orange's egregious mis-selling of 'free for life' broadband was just that, a 'mistake'. They should have written to their 'free for life' broadband customers, in an appropriately contrite tone, explaining that this offer was a marketing department faux pas. Then, they should have offered to maintain their customer's status quo, with say a monthly payment of £5, for a stand alone broadband service. In so doing, I am quite sure that Orange would not have incurred this whirlwind of justified wrath from their loyal customers. It is that absence of reasonableness, and Orange's sheer greed in pursuing a fast buck on the back of THEIR mistake, that sticks in their customers' craw.

Instead of honesty and openness, they make the worst corporate decision since Gerald Ratner informed the World that his company's jewelry was c--p. With the rapacious lust of Fagin, Orange now want to obtain our landline for £14pm, retain our mobile business, and, on this basis, will continue to offer us 'free' broadband. It is utterly risible.

I am but a simple pleb in the sticks, although even my meagre logic can deduce that nothing is 'free', if that 'free' entitlement is dependent upon buying something else. Have I missed something ? This is akin to those 'free' time-share scams in the 70's and 80's, where 'free' was subject to many onerous and costly qualification criteria, hence not 'free' at all. What happened to time-shares Orange ?

I just wanted to get this off my chest before my surfing days are over.

road_hog_2

would it be of any benefit if we all grouped together for 1 legal case..

the people v orange..?

or are we better off persuing individual claims,.?

Eva49

rubyriley wrote: »

I have followed this thread for a couple of weeks and a tv programme ARE doing something about this, WE have been interviewed (& anyway whether it will be used/an airing date isn't set yet) But it's not supposedly until mid November. :T

I am sure it will be aired.....last night was just the opening shot.

Currently Orange legal team are scurrying around behind locked doors with Ofcom and the Untouchables team trying to worm their way out and find their reply for Anne Robinsons 'Your Move' quote.

MrMister

Eva49 wrote: »

Just off to update watchdog and put them straight; Orange said the 'offer' ran from 'October 2006'; however, I have evidence to the contrary which shows July 2006, I have a rental agreement for the orange livebox; "A warm welcome to Orange Broadband" letter dated 14/07/2006, a direct debit confirmation letter, dated 21 July 2006,as well as the original delivery note for my handset dated 03/07/2006.

Orange need to do their homework!

Just to let you know I have a copy of my original 'Welcome to Orange Broadband - getting started' letter, and it is dated 22nd June 2006

Eva49

I have updated Watchdog re: dates and had my say about Ofcom!
I have also pointed out their re-branding exercise to EE and my suspicions on why they need to generate a huge amount of revenue!
I may be wrong, but at least the BBC are better placed to investigate.....particularly as the parent company France Telecom are in debt.

I have also discovered, not only will they be taking away my free BB but also my 2nd line evening and weekend calls (VOIP) thanks to one of the forum members.........this line is still active and working!

So, even more being taken away!

Come on Orange!........show your hand!!!!!!!

Forgot to mention, also wrote to the editor of 'This is Money' yesterday with our story to try for some media coverage

montage

I think anybody who's on their £5 broadband will loose it come upgrade. I haven't heard of anybody on £5 packages receiving a letter.