Being..

RobbC

...a member on other forums i know its annoying for members to sign up to ask a question which to when they will probably run away never to return the favour but im in need of some help.

Basically I have an orange contract which i have had since March, was with them before but upgraded. At the time i went in, agreed what phone i wanted to upgrade to, the cost of upgrade (as it was a top end phone) for 12 month extension and decided that i was to change tariff aswell. When i went in to sort it out, i was given the phone, then told that they couldnt change the tariff for whatever reason and had to ring up Orange myself to change it.

So i did this and the next bill came through on my old cheap tariff, rung up again, same thing happened the next month, it took 3 months for them to correct themselves. Then after a while my account was rebalanced and recalculated.

My phone has been playing up recently so i decided I wanted a new one. I was quite willing to open another contract with a different provider, vodafone, and have two phones. This is where my problems start, I assumed (stupidly) that once i opened my new account with voda i could then ring orange, requested my PAC code and have my number transferred and a new number allocated to my orange account. I was told by orange this wasnt possible as my account was still in contract.

I thought this was slightly annoying. Is this the case? Is there anyway I can get my number?

This is where it gets deeper, they have now stated that I can buy out my contract, but that there is 11 months remaining! now seeing as I signed up for a 12 month this was quite worrying, there should only be 5 months left. And am now being told that i will have to pay the extra if my tariff is changed, even though its there fault. Now i have the form given from the shop SIGNED for 12 months, they are now saying that i rung up and asked for 18 months, which isnt true, and there is no signed proof as to this..

Now I think the best place to go from now, is to return my new vodafone phone, as it is still within the 14 days home trial period and then go about sorting out orange.

In an ideal world i wouldnt mind changing my orange phone to the lowest tariff getting my number onto my vodafone account and paying off both tariffs but i dont think this is possible.

With my voda account, what happens regarding this. I have only used probably £1 of usage. I made a call/text/mms to test it, then spoke to orange so stopped using it. will vodafone bill me for this?

Also what to do regarding orange account, as said they have no signed proof that i indeed was aware for upgrading for 18 months...

Your help would be much appreciated.

Robb

Sid_Harper

1. I would cancel Voda (they will charge you for the time you have had it)
2. Write to Orange and tell them you have never agreed to anything other than a 12 month contract and ask them for a written response. Say you want your PAC and give them 14 days to reply (time being of the essence).
3. Think about moving only once you know where you stand with Orange.

RobbC

Thanks for the quick reply.

1. How will vodafone calculate this? Number of days ive had it diveded by the monthly tariff rate?
2. I am currently drafting a letter now. But obviously I cant seem them being able to send me a PAC code as Im still in contract. Or do you think that the lady i spoke to was just being difficult.
3. Yes thats the best bet.

I also spoke to a friend who advised that if i cancel my voda now, applying again soon might affect my credit rating? Is this true?

Thanks again....

Sid_Harper

1. Yes - pro rate + cost of calls outside of tarriff
2. They'll only issue a PAC if you are out of contract or agree to pay the remaining term off. Right now, they are saying you're in contract.

Can't comment on the credit stuff - depends on individual circumstances plus how they look at it internally. But if you don't cancel with them then the one thing that is guaranteed is you are paying until your Orange situation is sorted, at least.

faza20

Vodafone will divide your amount of minutes by the amount of days in the month, then times it by the amount of days you had the phone. The same will go for your line rental charges.

The only thing that will damage your credit score is if you decide to take another contract within 6mths. The reason for this is every time you have a credit check, it does act as a negative on your score. After 6mths though the credit check is wiped from your file.

RobbC

Thanks for the replies.

I am taking the vodafone phone back tonight, and then am going to sort out my contract with Orange.

Is there anything stopping me saying, I want to lower my tariff to the lowest possible tarriff and then buying out my contract?