T-Mobile price increase for 08xx numbers

geoffW

I think i've read somewhere that 08 numbers are to be included in allowances shortly. And so they should be. I think it's scandalous that they charge on top as I never use my allowance, so even if they go up to 20p I'll still be better off.
Anyone know any more?

agsnu

student100 wrote: »

Conclusion: it all comes down to arguing over definitions, as usual. As T-mobile probably have better lawyers than I ever could have, it's not worth the hassle...

It probably costs T-Mobile a darn sight more to exercise their lawyers than it does for you to kick up a fuss. In fact, it's free for you to go all the way to ADR.

fubar_2

Whats actually changed that would justify T-Mobile doubling the call charge for 0845 numbers other than knowing that nearly every big business now use 08 contact numbers so if anyone needs to call them T-Mobile will be making even more money.

Why prior to the OFCOM rulling were calls to 0870 / 0871 / 0844 / 0845 all 10p pm irespective of what tarrif you signed up to, but now there are going to be different charges for different tarrif's and as there are different charges for different tarrifs then surly this would form part of the contract to sign up to as they would now be used as part of your decision making as to what tarrif would suit you for calling outside of your price plan.

Why else would they have different charges for the different tarrifs if these charges did not form part of your callplan?

kieranjones

Fubar, you raise the point I thought about today as I was pondering. If the charges are not part of the price plans then surely they would be the same for any T-Mobile customer regardless of price plan, but we know this is not the case, some customers on say a U-Fix tarrif get a different rate for calling 08xx numbers compared to say a Flext customer like myself. If they are tied to the tariff one is on then surely they are considered part of the price plan. Afterall I could be better off perhaps on a different tariff if I called lots of 08xx numbers and thus am loosing out compared to other T-Mobile customers.

My thinking is that if you begin threatening them then they will eventually give in just to get rid of you, especially if you start making mumblings about solicitors, OFCOM and Consumer Direct.

Question is, is it worth the hassle? Do you want to get rid of T-Mobile because you are genuinely upset about the changes or are you getting rid of them because you just want to get a new iPhone on July 11th and can't at the moment because I already have a contract with T-Mobile, haha.

Personally I think it is a point of principle, they are screwing over customers to make some money and using a bad interpretation of an OFCOM ruling about call charges as the excuse. I dislike the service they provide and I rarely if ever get a proper signal in my house despite them insisting I have a full signal in my area. The iPhone is a possibility mind... although more importantly, the Viewty sucks and anything would be an improvement.

musical_norwich

I've just spoken to T-mobile. They claim I cannot leave unless I pay £300. I can't see how this unilateral doubling of a change can be legal under the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations. Whatever they say about core and non-core services, no ordinary person is going to see 08xx as optional and not part of the consumer contract and the behaviour of T-mobile appears to be detrimental to the consumer and beneficial to the company. Doesn't look like 'good faith' to me.

My very early Flext contract is being posted to me (v52).

Fullspizz

This is what makes me laugh.

Ofcom are a joke, they make a ruling but have obviously not worded it properly and T-Mobile have exploited this.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/06/18/t_mobile_doubles_prices/
(Word of warning, there is swearing in the comments section you can link to)

It's a joke really, if Ofcom really wanted to show they have some sort of power they could tell T-Mobile that they cannot enforce that. But like all the other Government quangos, they will put their tails between their legs and sit quietly.

Imani

i just got this text too
well i just will not use them for 08 numbers
but i wonder if on weekends my free calls include 08 numbers

dvs

musical_norwich wrote: »

My very early Flext contract is being posted to me (v52).

I was sent revised terms and conditions which took effect a few days ago. My understanding is that v55 is now in effect so therefore I would've thought it would be the same for you.

The Carphone Warehouse's website has T-Mobile's terms and conditions v52 but I'm not sure how that might differ for people that did not connect through The Carphone Warehouse:
http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/commerce/servlet/gben-server-PageServer?ARTICLE=MAIN.UK.INTERNET.HELPINFO.ORDERONLINE.NETWORKTERMS.TMOBILE

musical_norwich

Here's the letter I sent today:

I received a text message yesterday giving notice that as of July 28th 2008 T-Mobile will be increasing its call charges to numbers beginning with 08. I do not believe it to be acceptable to double my call charges to these numbers.

I have this morning spoken with an employee in the retention team who refused to allow me to exercise my contractual right to leave without payment of a penalty of £300; he confirmed I am on T&C's V52. Under these T&Cs:

A cancellation charge is not payable if you are cancelling because:

(B) we want to increase a charge to you and the increase, (when calculated as a percentage) will be more than the increase in the Retail Prices Index Figure, the RPI (also calculated as a percentage) for the 12 months before the month in which we send you notice of the increase (see 4(g)). We will tell you if the increase will be more than the increase in the RPI. You must tell us you want to cancel before the increase happens; and/or

(C) you entered into this agreement as a consumer and we have changed these conditions (see 4(g)) and that change is of material detriment to you.

The T&C’s clearly define charges as ‘monthly charges, call charges and any other charges relating to this agreement or the services’. Your employees seem to be taking the line that these increases apply to an 'optional' service that is not part of the plan, yet your own website states 'The table below will give you an overview of how your price plan has been affected by the change' (http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/services/uk/08/) and my contract makes no such differentiation. Further, I take the view that an increase to these charges is indeed a material detriment to me and consider your text message notification as written notice.

To this end I would request you cancel my CTN x, without penalty in line with my rights under both the T&C's and the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contract Regulations.

Please come back to me ASAP to confirm your position on this matter.

Yours faithfully.

sparks001_2

I have stolen some of the previous posters wording, and added a load more waffle :-)


***Currently Rewording, due to new T&Cs located!***