Orange pulls rug on downgraders.

pricefighter

See this article in the Mobile Today.

http://www.mobiletoday.co.uk/artman-test/publish/article_741.shtml

egbe

interesting that it mentions only Premier tariffs - or is that all of them soon?

rogerramjet

Seems to be about sellers scamming Orange rather than customers scamming Orange....however, it will affect the customer rather than the retailer

charlie12

Seems like it only affects Premier tariffs at the moment.

The report mentions retailers offering cashback deals, I was under the impression that most cashback deals have very strict guidelines anyway, one of which states that you can't downgrade your tariff in the minimum term (usually 12 months). The customer can then downgrade tariff if they wish but they lose any cashback entitlement.

I'm not familiar with all the cashback deals out there however, if this report is correct then I imagine some provider's cashback terms are more lenient. Either that or it's just a lame excuse by Orange to impose yet another profit making exercise.

grumbler

charlie12 wrote:

... I was under the impression that most cashback deals have very strict guidelines anyway, one of which states that you can't downgrade your tariff in the minimum term (usually 12 months). ...

AFAIK for 12-months contracts with Orange you are allowed to downgrade after 6 months without loosing cashback.

charlie12

grumbler wrote:

AFAIK for 12-months contracts with Orange you are allowed to downgrade after 6 months without loosing cashback.

I think it is dependent upon the actual cashback deal. I have two cashback deals on Orange with Mobileshop. In their terms it states

"Claims are subject to you remaining on the same pay monthly tariff as you were originally connected."

In this case, half of the cashback is paid on the 6th month, and the other half on the 12th month. I imagine that deals that pay out all the cashback by the 6th month can be downgraded without penalty.

grumbler

charlie12 wrote:

I imagine that deals that pay out all the cashback by the 6th month can be downgraded without penalty.

I have 3 cashback deals with OSPS and Orange. All have the last cashback paid after 12 months, but downgrading is allowed after 6 months (the same applies to '3', Vodafone and O2; it is 11 months for T-Mobile 18-months contracts). 100% sure. I remember reading somewhere that Orange pay comission to retailers in full after 6 months for sold 12-months contracts.

charlie12

Interesting, thanks

netherside7

I have a deal with orange, when I got the phone the dealer said to downgrade after six months. The six months is in november.

Would this still go ahead ??

charlie12

I have a little difficulty understanding your question.

Has the dealer told you that you can downgrade your tariff after 6 months, if you choose to do so? If that's the case then yes, you should be able to - ask the dealer or Orange to confirm.

You didn't mention whether you have a cashback deal associated with your contract. If you do, then you have to check the terms of your cashback arrangement to find out whether you can downgrade without losing your cashback entitlement.

sh0a1b

Orange premier helpline on 448 have told me that this downgrade will only affect new customers after 1st October 2005 so those who have existing contracts and wish to downgrade after their 6th months can do so, no problems. that should clear things up.