Brain pick on contracts and Educational discounts

ScoobyDoo555

Hi All,

A bit of background first:
I'm coming to the end of my current contract in the next couple of days, and the barrage of phone calls asking about my upgrade intentions has already started!!
Phones4U have come up with a "good" deal for a 16Gig iPhone 5. £32 for unlimited calls/texts & 1gig data. Handset included in monthly tariff. All on O2 as a 24month upgrade.

When asked about the fact that I (a) WORK in Education, and Apple provide discount on the monthly tariff and (b) I'm also a student, so am entitled to a discount as well.... this confused them! TBH, I think they were more interested in getting me to sign up blindly there and then*

As did it confuse the O2 shop today, although they stated figures of around 33% off (but couldn't say whether or not that was on the tariff or the handset).

So, my question is regarding if ANYBODY can clarify:
1. what the discount is for Educators (working in FE)
2. what the discount is for being a student (as an alternative option)
3. if any other providers (realistically either Vodafone or Orange) offer similar discounts.

*unlikely, as I'm also looking at the iPhone 5s/6 ;-)

Thanks in advance,

mcgills38

For being a student/working in education you would 30% off your tariff every month with o2. This offer is only valid when going direct through an o2 retail store. It is not valid if you upgrade via phone 4 u, carphone warehouse, online etx.

ScoobyDoo555

Thanks for this. So, I've got to deal with the shop itself.... not a major issue I suppose!
Do any other providers offers this type of discount? Only asking as my wife is on Voda. Not the problem it used to be, but for ease etc etc....

keithdc

I was in a similar position recently, but i was potentially eligible for student or nhs discount.

mcgills38 wrote: »

For being a student/working in education you would 30% off your tariff every month with o2. This offer is only valid when going direct through an o2 retail store. It is not valid if you upgrade via phone 4 u, carphone warehouse, online etx.

I believe the o2 discount is only on refresh tariffs and only applies to the data/phone element (not the phone bit). However, o2 is the only one which lets you buy online (so you can get quidco) and then have discount applied instore.

Most networks have online chat so worth asking there- that way you can save it and use it when they forget your discount.

mcgills38

keithdc wrote: »

I was in a similar position recently, but i was potentially eligible for student or nhs discount.



I believe the o2 discount is only on refresh tariffs and only applies to the data/phone element (not the phone bit). However, o2 is the only one which lets you buy online (so you can get quidco) and then have discount applied instore.

Most networks have online chat so worth asking there- that way you can save it and use it when they forget your discount.

Yes this is the case, only 30% off refresh contracts and its only off tye minutes,sms and data part of the contract.

gjchester

ScoobyDoo555 wrote: »

Apple provide discount on the monthly tariff

ScoobyDoo555 wrote: »

Whilst often rumoured that Apple have/had set minimum prices the monthly contract has nothing to do with Apple, it's down to your mobile network.

Apple offer educational discounts if you buy hardware direct from Apple, but that's different to buying a phone via a contract.

ScoobyDoo555 wrote: »

(b) I'm also a student, so am entitled to a discount as well.... this confused them!

This may be done by the network but is not a right as such. As far as I know all the big UK networks offer something but that will only be on line rental.

Best guess is the cheapest way forward is by an iPhone on a educational discount (if it applies, not all items get the educational discount and the iPhone sells itself so they may not offer it cheaper than full retail) and then a student discounted sim only deal.