Vodafone fibre - price for new customers is lower than what I'm paying

alexrw

As the subject says, I've been with Vodafone for more than 1.5 years and now the price for the same package for new customers is lower than what I'm paying. Wasn't there a new regulation requiring providers to put existing customers on the same tariff as new customers? How can I get the same price (without cancelling, going to a new provider and then coming back)? Am I the only one feeling offended by this behaviour, be it old or not?

Neil_Jones

Phone them up and threaten to leave, say you can get this that and the other from somebody else for the same price as your new customer deal but I'd rather stay with you what can you do for me?

Note: Make sure any deals you mention are genuine or at least relatively plausible. They do check.

alexrw

So basically haggle. Wasn't there a recent regulation requiring providers to put existing customers on the same tariff as new customers?

Chino

alexrw wrote: »

Am I the only one feeling offended by this behaviour, be it old or not?

I don't understand why you're offended; companies offering low introductory prices as a means to entice new customers with the intent of increasing prices to a more sustainable level afterwards is nothing new - and you knew this was the case when you took Vodafone's bribe 1.5 years ago. Either haggle, move, cancel or pay up and stop moaning.

alexrw wrote: »

Wasn't there a recent regulation requiring providers to put existing customers on the same tariff as new customers?

No idea, but there was apparently this:
Statement: Helping consumers get better deals - end-of-contract notifications and annual best tariff information

alexrw

Chino wrote: »

I don't understand why you're offended; companies offering low introductory prices as a means to entice new customers with the intent of increasing prices to a more sustainable level afterwards is nothing new - and you knew this was the case when you took Vodafone's bribe 1.5 years ago. Either haggle, move, cancel or pay up and stop moaning.

No, my monthly price has not and is not due to increase. In most other businesses repeat customers/loyalty is rewarded so I'm surprised to see the reverse here. No, I didn't know this 1.5 years ago (actually 2 years). Thanks for the assumptions and kind words though.

flashg67

Same for me with Plusnet - can only wait until November when I'm up for renewal and haggle or switch

oldernonethewiser

alexrw wrote: »

No, my monthly price has not and is not due to increase. In most other businesses repeat customers/loyalty is rewarded so I'm surprised to see the reverse here. No, I didn't know this 1.5 years ago (actually 2 years). Thanks for the assumptions and kind words though.

Unfortunately that is not the case which is why people are advised to switch gas,electric, insurance, broadband etc as better deals can often be had by becoming a new customer instead of remaining a loyal one.

Neil_Jones

I would suggest rather than complaining about practices that aren't new (new customers always getting the best deals and existing customers in the eyes of the company can do one) do something about it.

If you're out of contract get on the blower and get a better deal by asking for one. Scout the market, find better deals than you're on, call Vodafone and do what I said in my post, see if they can match it as a retention deal. However be prepared to leave if your sole aim is to save money, you know you can get a better deal somewhere else and Vodafone won't play ball.

JJ_Egan

alexrw wrote: »

So basically haggle. Wasn't there a recent regulation requiring providers to put existing customers on the same tariff as new customers?

No and if there ever is it means we all pay full price no discounts .