O2 price hike termination.

jeffhodgson1

Hi. This is just for information really for anyone considering ditching O2 following their recent hike on hike annoncements. 
I decided to cancel my airtime contract but wanted to keep my device payment scheme. Therefore i contacted O2 customer service. After waiting 40 minutes to get through i advised the C.S agent of my intentions. 
The agent was very helpful, apart from advising me that the airtime termination would be INSTANT!
So instant in fact it terminated while i was talking to the agent and our call was cut off. 
Having sought advice from an O2 shop after the event, they advised that contract termination under the "no penalty" clause is indeed an instant termination. 
Something to be aware of for anyone wanting to ditch these daylight robbers. 

flaneurs_lobster

As in you've lost your mobile number instant? Did you realise/were you warned that would happen? 

jeffhodgson1

Yes. Mobile number instantly gone. No warning. Staff in o2 shop tried to get it back but no joy. 
Not a major problem as new sim ordered to arrive tomorrow, just a tad inconvenient for 24hrs or so. 

flaneurs_lobster

jeffhodgson1 said:

Yes. Mobile number instantly gone. No warning. Staff in o2 shop tried to get it back but no joy. 
Not a major problem as new sim ordered to arrive tomorrow, just a tad inconvenient for 24hrs or so. 

Tad inconvenient? Think a lot of people might find it rather more than that. Most bank/BS account access still involves SMS (unfortunately) or a call. Registering a new number is probably going to take days.

WhatsApp won't work.

And that's before you consider your personal/business contacts that have that number that you will have to contact.

I've had my number for well over 20 years, not something I want to lose unless I decide to make it so.

Neil49

That's dreadful. Have O2 got a death wish or are they simply being vindictive. 

la531983

So how can this be avoided then? Would getting a new SIM first and then requesting the PAC code also cancel your contract, or would they simply reject the transfer?

It is something I have also be pondering doing myself but the story in the OP is putting me off a little.

jeffhodgson1

Getting your sim first and transfer using PAC is DEFINITELY the way forward. I ordered a new sim this morning and received PAC before contacting o2. However, i naively assumed my current number would remain live for at least a few days and it was only to arrange continuation of my device payment that i didnt use PAC transfer. 
Maybe this INSTANT termination is o2's "payback" for daring to leave them. 

flaneurs_lobster

jeffhodgson1 said:

Getting your sim first and transfer using PAC is DEFINITELY the way forward. I ordered a new sim this morning and received PAC before contacting o2. However, i naively assumed my current number would remain live for at least a few days and it was only to arrange continuation of my device payment that i didnt use PAC transfer. 
Maybe this INSTANT termination is o2's "payback" for daring to leave them. 

If this was done as you say (and there's no reason to doubt you) and your number was terminated without warning then that (IMO) is grounds for a formal complaint.

jeffhodgson1

As i had a PAC number BEFORE my number was cancelled will it still transfer to NEW sim when its activated?

flaneurs_lobster

jeffhodgson1 said:

As i had a PAC number BEFORE my number was cancelled will it still transfer to NEW sim when its activated?

Try it and see, but I wouldn't be hopeful.

Or do you mean that the new operator already has the code?

I wonder if it'll !!!!!! up your new SIM's service? 

jeffhodgson1

flaneurs_lobster said:

jeffhodgson1 said:

As i had a PAC number BEFORE my number was cancelled will it still transfer to NEW sim when its activated?

Try it and see, but I wouldn't be hopeful.

Or do you mean that the new operator already has the code?

I wonder if it'll !!!!!! up your new SIM's service? 

No. New sim hasnt arrived yet so i live in hope my old number transfers over.
Worst case is i get new number from new sim provider then, like you say go through the process of informing contacts, banks etc of new number. Zzzzzzzzzzz
Frustrating but lesson learned. Every day is a school day.