MSE News: Tesco Mobile promises no mid-term price hikes 7 March 2013 at 1:02PM in Mobiles 12 replies 2.3K views

Former_MSE_Helen

"Tesco Mobile pledges not to increase the cost of tariffs mid-contract, something phone users often complain about..."

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Tesco Mobile promises no mid-term price hikes



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MillicentBystander

It's about time the 'majors' committed to the Which's? Fixed Means Fixed campaign.

http://www.which.co.uk/news/2012/09/price-increases-to-fixed-contracts-a-year-on-297015/

shteve

Not sure why Orange and Tmob are classed as sister companies? Tesco uses the O2 network.

im-lost

Nothing more than a cynical ploy to get some attention before every network is forced to do the same.

As for 'people falling victim' don't talk such nonsense, the terms are clearly laid out in people's contracts, it's up to the people to read these, and at most you are talking of increases of less than 50p, hardly warrants people being labeled as victims.

robbies_gal

its not the point orange have done it twice in a year thats more than 50p

chanz4

wifes on a 24 month at £15 , it is now £16.50

Sparx

shteve wrote: »

Not sure why Orange and Tmob are classed as sister companies? Tesco uses the O2 network.

Because they are sister companies? Both owned by EE.. :think:

I don't understand the point of your post.. Yes, Tesco use the O2 network..

NFH

im-lost wrote: »

As for 'people falling victim' don't talk such nonsense, the terms are clearly laid out in people's contracts, it's up to the people to read these

Not true. The term is hidden away in the small print of very long terms and conditions, while the monthly charge appears outside the small print to be a fixed charge. Since this unscrupulous practice came to light, consumer bodies have sent mystery shoppers into mobile phone shops and found that sales staff continue to say that the monthly charge is fixed.

MillicentBystander

24 month contracts are for idiots (and I class myself as one as I'm 12 months into one at the moment but never again). Buy the phone outright and use a 30 day SIM only deal (there are some amazing deals out there at the moment even including one that is free!). You know it makes sense.

Buzby

Your definition of 'hidden' is moot. If you mean buried within 1000's of words outlining your obligation, I agree. But it has (and does) appear in all contracts I've perused, so if the consumer cannot be bothered to read the terms they are agreeing to, that's a different issue.

As for 'no increase mid-contract' what nonsense. Everyone is in contract, at all times - even PAYG users. If they are meaning no increase within the minimum term, that's a very different issue (and less exciting).

A contract has nothing to do with the tariff charged either, so Tesco's promise is both confusing AND misleading. (A bitlike adverts proclaiming 'VAT Free' when they mean a 20% discount - VAT is still charged on the reduced amount).

Smoke and mirrors - don't be fooled!

MillicentBystander

Surely any supplier who wants their promise to be taken seriously should simply sign up to the Which? Campaign and pledge NO increase during the min term of the contract? So, if it's a 24 month contract at, say, £20/mth, that's what the charge will remain at for the full 24 months. Takes all the ambiguity out of it. But best to avoid these rip offs altogether and avoid signing your mobile life away for the next 2 years. Nothing companies love more than a captive customer base (check out the bar/restaurant prices at Center Parcs for an example of this).

We want the price and all other aspects of fixed deals to remain the same for the contract period when consumers are also tied in. If there is a chance that prices may rise, operators must be more upfront about this in their advertising and allow people to switch providers without penalty.