MSE News: O2 to hike its prices by 2.7% - can you leave your contract penalty-free?

ChilliP2012

@nsabournemouth

Thanks for that, it really is much appreciated.

RandomCurve

Sorry it has been awhile since I've visited this forum.


My thoughts areas nsabournemouth has rightly summarised.


You are going to need to prove "likely to be of Material detriment" to win this I think.

1. Use the Ofcom/OFTEL definition - must be to your benefit or Neutral - RPI is not Neutral it is a real Terms increase as CPI is the official measure of UK inflation.
2. Relate that back to USD 2002/22
3. Use the new Ofcom Definition - as GC 9.6 words have not changed.
4. Compare RPI to CPI (2.7% v 1.7% = 58.8% difference)
5. Compare how your income has moved over the last 12 months (only if les than 2.7%)
6. Clearly state that RPI is no longer designated as a National statistic.

I think that is about as far as you can go.


Just be careful to avoid arguments that would only allow you to avoid the price rise as opposed to cancelling the contract (mainly avoid anything to with the UTCCRs).


Good Luck

parrysite

So, the ombudsman (sort of) ruled in my favour on the 4g issue. They have come up with the resolution that the 24 month term will be removed from my contract so I can upgrade without penalty.

I don't want to stick with O2 but the ombudsman said they won't rule in favour of a termination so this was the best I can hope for. The ombudsman didn't define 'upgrade'- so what does count as an upgrade? Can I 'upgrade' to a 30 day rolling contract?

ChilliP2012

Actually, you may be able to upgrade to a rolling contract. I'd just call O2 and upgrade to that. Failing that, the absolute cheapest 12 month contract would suffice.

I don't see why you can't cancel as you have no minimum term left on your contract. Bloody ombudsmen are just plain stupid in my view. I wonder how much O2 bunged them for this decision? Makes me sick, the ombudsmen & Ofcom are not fit for purpose in my eyes.

parrysite

ChilliP2012 wrote: »

Actually, you may be able to upgrade to a rolling contract. I'd just call O2 and upgrade to that. Failing that, the absolute cheapest 12 month contract would suffice.

I don't see why you can't cancel as you have no minimum term left on your contract. Bloody ombudsmen are just plain stupid in my view. I wonder how much O2 bunged them for this decision? Makes me sick, the ombudsmen & Ofcom are not fit for purpose in my eyes.

The whole thing has been a farce really. The ombudsman was happy not to resolve it at all until I pushed for at least an early upgrade. The resolution that I was given in writing is ambiguously worded so doesn't give me much back up if I feel O2 take an easy route (for example they could tell my upgrade option is a £200 a month contract) and more to the point O2 are now adamant they have not received this resolution and said I need to get back in touch with the ombudsman or go through O2's complaint resolution service!!!

My account is still not showing the early upgrade options (they have 28 days from ombudsman but was told it would be 24-48 hours) and despite five calls in the last two days, no one has acknowledged the forwarded email I have sent them. The place is a joke.

ChilliP2012

Just goes to show what headless chickens O2 really are.

I hope you get it sorted out shortly parrysite.

iAMaLONDONER

dazzaofdagenham wrote: »

My contract goes up by 57p and in June I am out of contract.

So wonder what my loyalty will be worth then

Mine's going up by a similar amount- T-mobile in my case.

I'll be leaving them in August anyway lol!

ChilliP2012

Just received 2 things today. One is a questionnaire as this case has been deemed suitable for the small claims track.

The second is an email from O2.

Claim reference AXXXXXXX
Account 1XXXXXXXXX

Dear Mr XXXXXX

We have received the details of your claim via Northampton County Court. I’d like to discuss the particulars of your claim so I was hoping to arrange a convenient date and time I could call you.

I know you’ve already spoken with our complaints teams regarding your account and the price increase to your tariff. But now you’ve filed a court claim, I’d like to discuss on what legal grounds you think you’re entitled to cancel your contract without penalty.

The court does offer a mediation service which we would be amenable to. Before this can be arranged we need to wait for the court to send us an allocations questionnaire which we would complete and return. A date for the mediation service can then be arranged.

Please let me know what the best date and time would be to discuss your claim and also what telephone number to call you on.

Kind regards,

V_For_Verminator

Sounds like a climb down is inbound!

Lifes_Grand_Plan

ChilliP2012 wrote: »

Just received 2 things today. One is a questionnaire as this case has been deemed suitable for the small claims track.

The second is an email from O2.

Interesting.....

I suppose you have to show the courts (should it go there) that you have made every attempt to resolve the matter without the courts.

However what worries me is the;

"I’d like to discuss on what legal grounds you think you’re entitled to cancel your contract without penalty."

Sounds like they could be fishing for advance info to try and establish a defence against your arguments.

I would speak to them but wouldn't give them any other details, just refer them to the court documents.

That said, as V for Verminator mentioned, they may also make you an offer....