Upgrade vs new contract on same network (loophole?)

benmkrieger

Hi,

I have been on every provider over the years and am now settled on the best of a bad bunch based on my area and requirements etc.

Basically, I never get offered the amazing deals that are commonly spoken about during the retention period so I have thought up a new plan and wondered if someone could advise if it is possible.

If I sign up to a new contract with the same company I am currently on but use a cash back site to claim a juicy fee for a new contract.

Once set up, the plan is to call up re my existing contract ad cancel it but retain my number and change over to my new tariff (on the same network).

Basically, is this possible, legal and will the cash back be approved as I was an existing customer despite it being a new account?

Hope that all makes sense.

Thanks

Ben
:think:

buscape

You would have to port your number out to another network and then back in again for it to work, this is what alot of people do to get the best deal from their network plus cashback.

Buzby

There's no issue of legality - just company policy. Also be wary of Cashback, as any changes to your customer profile before the cash is paid out (3+ months) the fee can disappear and here's nothing you can do.

grumbler

buscape wrote: »

You would have to port your number out to another network and then back in again for it to work, ...

...unless it is O2 or Vodafone that can transfer the number within their network.

gjchester

grumbler wrote: »

...unless it is O2 or Vodafone that can transfer the number within their network.

I though you still had to go to PAYG and back even in the network.

Technically what the OP's is doing is called a backdoor upgrade, and is frowned upon by the networks as they have to pay the commision to the 3rd party. As has been mentioned if the 3rd party get the commision refused you may get no cashback.

juggy09

I was in the same boat, so i asked for my pac code from orange, then i transfered my number to giffgaff.

After a few days requested my pac code from giffgaff, then got a great deal on a new contract with cashback too

benmkrieger

Thanks for all the useful help so far.

If I did change to giff gaff and stayed with them, is their network any good? Is the coverage decent enough to use them as my main provider?

And will they be able to work with the new iphone with the rumoured extra small simcard. (Sorry to deviate from the core topic

juggy09

benmkrieger wrote: »

Thanks for all the useful help so far.

If I did change to giff gaff and stayed with them, is their network any good? Is the coverage decent enough to use them as my main provider?

And will they be able to work with the new iphone with the rumoured extra small simcard. (Sorry to deviate from the core topic

Giffgaff runs on the O2 network so you will need to check the o2 coverage for your area.

http://www.o2.co.uk/coveragechecker

All Giffgaff simcards now come so they fit all phones, just push the micro sim out.

gjchester

juggy09 wrote: »

All Giffgaff simcards now come so they fit all phones, just push the micro sim out.

Rumours are the iphone 5 will have a Nano card, even smaller still.

how fast the networks will have them is another matter, Apple have probably told them under non disclosure contracts what they will need.

Curr946

gjchester wrote: »

Rumours are the iphone 5 will have a Nano card, even smaller still.

STOP FCKIN ABOUT WITH THE SIMS....

I want a sim i can sick in and out of an array of handsets.... like i did back in the day of "dumb phones"

:rotfl:

JethroUK

benmkrieger wrote: »

... will the cash back be approved as I was an existing customer ....

No!

Cashback, 'new customer only' deals are not available for new 'accounts' but for new 'customers'

In the case of Virgin Media you would have to close your account and wait 3 month before they would reconsider you as a new customer