Inflation increases in April - Timing when to regenotiate contracts for Mobile/Sky etc? 13 March 2022 at 11:48AM edited 13 March 2022 at 11:56AM in Phones & TV 5 replies 173 views

HighContrast

Firstly apologies, I tried looking but I couldn't find the answer, although I'm sure it's here somewhere! (Makes me wonder if my question is a little moot!)

But my question is with the inflation indexed increases in all bills come April(?), when is the best time to renegotiate with our mobile/tv/broadband providers? And will it make any difference anyway? I assume the inflation increase will happen to our bills regardless?

Reason I ask is that (just as an example) I'm with EE for my mobile contract, been with them a very long time so i could leave my contract I think, but I'm lazy when it comes to  renegotiating every year.

Anyway I'm on 4G ,10gb plan unlimited min sim only plan that a renegotiated a couple years back for £12.55pm, I would ideally like to increase my data a little and get a 5g sim, so therefore I'd need a new contract with them.

So to get to the point, if i was to take a new contract either by upgrading online or calling say this week, what would happen with the inflation index rise? I'm guessing no odds?

Similarly, same question for utilities?


Edit: Just to add, is it better to wait for April and the increases, then renegotiate?

PZ19

I’d start by looking at prices on uswitch.  Good question though, I think if you got a new sim today then you Would have to pay increase, but not 100% sure.

HaroldWren5

HighContrast said:

Firstly apologies, I tried looking but I couldn't find the answer, although I'm sure it's here somewhere! (Makes me wonder if my question is a little moot!)

But my question is with the inflation indexed increases in all bills come April(?), when is the best time to renegotiate with our mobile/tv/broadband providers? And will it make any difference anyway? I assume the inflation increase will happen to our bills regardless?

Reason I ask is that (just as an example) I'm with EE for my mobile contract, been with them a very long time so i could leave my contract I think, but I'm lazy when it comes to  renegotiating every year.

Anyway I'm on 4G ,10gb plan unlimited min sim only plan that a renegotiated a couple years back for £12.55pm, I would ideally like to increase my data a little and get a 5g sim, so therefore I'd need a new contract with them.

So to get to the point, if i was to take a new contract either by upgrading online or calling say this week, what would happen with the inflation index rise? I'm guessing no odds?

Similarly, same question for utilities?


Edit: Just to add, is it better to wait for April and the increases, then renegotiate?

You're not alone in wondering this. Same here. I would think the safest option is to wait until May 1st 2022 before you even ring them to start any new contract. That way there is no way they can increase your new monthly contract with this year's March/April increase. 

Yes, they can theoretically increase the price next year if the contract is 12+ months by whatever that amount, but you'd avoid this year's one. Rather than potentially having both!

Existing contracts would I suppose get increased before you renew. But I am beginning to think, unless they offer some phenomenal reduction in price in any renewal offer, it's best to take the temporary hit and have more negotiating power after March/April to enter into a shorter contract. Or explore ones with fixed prices if and where possible.  

Neil49

I've read elsewhere that the O2 cutoff date for the increases is the 24th March but I can't comment on other service providers. 

J_B

I've just redone my plusnet (business) broadband deal today with the promise of a 9.3% increase on 1st April.

I suggested to the salesman that I'd be better waiting but he suggested that the base would probably go up then anyway.

I do, however, have a 28 day cooling off period so can cancel and renegotiate if the price doesn't rise.

teddysmum

J_B said:

I've just redone my plusnet (business) broadband deal today with the promise of a 9.3% increase on 1st April.

I suggested to the salesman that I'd be better waiting but he suggested that the base would probably go up then anyway.

I do, however, have a 28 day cooling off period so can cancel and renegotiate if the price doesn't rise.

Same here, but for domestic purposes.

I called to report an error in my end date and mentioned that I had been sent an offer by email, but it was pointless, as with no fixes the price will go up in a few days' time. I added that as my end date was three weeks too early, I wanted to work on the correct date, mid April. and compare deals when everyone has changed their prices.

However, she said they could make offers, which could not be made post rise. I have had, for two years, a price match (fixed, but alas no more) with free calls. She offered me a price just 75more including  free calls and I accepted a two year contract( but on basic fibre) as the free calls are included for the duration and rises will be, as universally declared, in April, each year, with the same formula, based on this starter price and not the supposed full price.