Very Annoyed by Orange

Sooetie

There's not a lot I can do about it now apart from alert other people about the sales techniques of Orange.

At christmas my mother took out an Orange Mobile contract for her grandson as his Xmas pressie.

My mum is 75 and suffers with short term memory loss. I am in the process of getting LPA but had to wait til my eldest was 18 so I could put him on it.

I usually deal with her bills etc but this time her home phone number got put on the contract.

Orange then did their selling bit and the first I heard of it was when her current phone provider sent an email to me saying sorry you are leaving!

After going through mums papers I found a number and a name on a scrap of paper which I called to see if it had anything to do with her phone. Yes it was Orange.

I was assured that everyting was above board and she had been sent all the details by email - fat lot of good that is. Mum rarely looks at her email and actually couldn't remember she'd taken out the contract.

As the cooling off period was spent I didn't have much choice. I now have to try to reclaim the cost of the contract mum was in which will probably take months and be a real pain. Apparently they said she can claim up to £100 which won't cover the cost but enticed her by saying she will save money on the new contract which I think is debatable. also when the contract on her grandson's phone finishes her costs will double as she is getting a '50% discount' ! Ha Ha

I am just so fed up with these companies - over trhe last few years I think I have eliminated most by giving my phone number but they are basically just immoral

Techhead_2

Are you saying that a sales person is a fit person to decide whether someone is capable of making a rational decision about entering a contract?

gjchester

Sooetie wrote: »

My mum is 75 and suffers with short term memory loss. I am in the process of getting LPA but had to wait til my eldest was 18 so I could put him on it.

Unfortunalty even with the LPoA your mum is classed as an adult, who can make her own choices. even with a LPoA she can still make decisions, you can't take that right away from her, as long as she is in a fit mental state she can make any decisions she wishes.

Salespeople sell, was it underhand, no, how did you expect them to know your mums state of mind or memory loss? Regardless of the LPA the fact you feel the contract is a poor deal is irrelevant.

Sorry this is not what you will want to hear, but in these circumstances Orange did nothing wrong or immoral, As long as she can make decisions, (good or bad) then she has the right to do so.

Guys_Dad

I understand you are upset and can sympathise. But there are some loose ends in your OP.

1. Did you know your mother was going to get a contract for her grandson in advance? If so, and she has these problems, why did you let her do this on her own? Why would she be competent to get one for her grandson but not for any personal contract?

2. How did she do this - in the shop, on the net or by phone?

3. How long is her phone contract for? More than 2 years? If not, then the 50% discount is likely to last as long as your son's contract. And check out if your son does not renew his Orange contract whether or not having a PAYG sim on Orange would continue the 50% discount until you change her back.

4. I bet you would have created a merry stink and quoted disability discrimination/ ageism if Orange had refused the contract for your son on the grounds of your mother appearing to be somewhat mentally challenged. You can't have it both ways, I am afraid.

d123

Sorry, my first impression, you should consider protecting your mother by perhaps ensuring her grandson doesn't persuade or pressure her into paying for a mobile phone for him for 2 years.

Who gives a Christmas present that effectively becomes a monthly present for 24 months? Why can't the grandson pay their own monthly contract?

I find that more immoral than any salesman who then upgrades or up sells the original contract.

Sooetie

Thanks for your replies

It seems I am in the wrong for some of it.

I was there with my mum and son when the contract was taken out. Despite my mum's problems I wouldn't let her loose with a teenager lol

Ok It's a 2 year contract with Orange as an xmas pressie from his Granma. However it's not the first contact for something that my kids got for Xmas...or Birthday

I pay their Xbox subs as a Birthday present too.

Thats what they want and I have limited funds - much easier when spread out over the year .

Maybe more people should try it with their kids

Ok I may have got annoyed about Orange doing their selling thing but last year mum had 3 mobile phone contracts and 3 household contents insurance contracts.

Sorry if I'm really fed up with telephone sales

T