mobile contracts

[genf_stfc]

anyone got any advice ?  I've been with Orange since about 1998, infact still on an everyday 50 plan which costs 15 quid a month and bearing in mind I go abroad a bit my total bill is usually under 40quid a month.

However, orange, despite being told politely that i am not in the slightest bit interested about discussing this on the phone while I am at work, keep phoning me up everyday to 'offer' me an upgrade if I sign up for 18 months (which i suspect will be more expensive and will probably include loads of crap i don't care about  other than making calls and texts) .  I've had enough of them, and they can go fuck themselves, the signal is crap where I work anyway (although calls from them always seem to get through...)

So, whats a better company to change to, can i keep my number and how best to really point this out to orange that i have left them after 10 years solely because they wound me up and I'm vindictive like that ?

[Samdy Gray]

T-Mobile do good 'flext' deals but their signal strength is indifferent to say the least.

For all round reliability you can't beat O2.

[RobertT]

They will phone you even more now, plus they will pass you through to a department to cancel who will proceed to try and "save" you.

Virgin are a pretty good company, but you need to consider it uses the t-mobile network so check the coverage first where you most use the phone.

The 4 main ones are much of a muchness really.

[axs]

i've had vodafone and 3 contracts and didn't have problems with either.

i would tell orange that if they don't call you in the next month then you will sign up with them. and then don't.

[mattboyslim]

I think with Vodaphone it is difficult to keep your number if you subsequently leave them.  I left O2 after they were less than keen on offering a decent phone on renewing my contract-  even though the phone was free if I had taken the same contract out as a new customer.  I'm with Orange now and they are OK, the signal isn't as good as O2 IMHO but they're fine, I've had major no issues with them, but Phones4U and their claimback system (coupled with the absolute failure of Royal Mail to do anything good) had caused me no end of issues.

[axs]

i left voda and took my number with me, you just call them for  a PUK code and then give it to your new provider.

[RobertT]

I would recommend giving P4U a wide bearth, a more sales driven company would be hard to find.

Keeping your number should be fairly easy, you'll just need a porting code from your current provider.

IIRC www.onestopphoneshop.com were a fairly good bunch to get new deals from.

Matty, upgrade offers are always worse than new connections.  The connection bonuses given to dealers is massive in relation to an upgrade. If you are happy with the phone you have then getting a sim only deal can sometimes be worthwhile, allowing a years free line rental in many cases (they use the connection bonus against line rental rather than to subsidise the phone cost).

For customer service then Virgin Mobile are the best bet, but not always the best deal on a handset.

[Jamiesfuturewife]

Do you HAVE to sign and 18 month contract with everyone now a days?

Im on Vodaphoneand due an upgrade FINALLY next month and waiting 18 months to get another phone has completely annoyed me

does anyone still do 12 months?

[Simon Pieman]

Yeah just get a PAC from your network. If you go through a phone shop they'll sort it out for you so you don't even have to get the code yourself.

[RobertT]

Yes, you just have to pay more for the phone or get less discount on your line rental.

18 month contracts are used to allow the phones to stay cheap.  By getting you to sign up for 6 months of extra line rental they can recoup the cost.  It takes between 18 months and 2 years for an average customer to start making the company money.  It's the customers who spend on calls or stay on the same deal for several years that make the hard cash for them.

[mattboyslim]

I would recommend giving P4U a wide bearth, a more sales driven company would be hard to find.

Keeping your number should be fairly easy, you'll just need a porting code from your current provider.

IIRC www.onestopphoneshop.com were a fairly good bunch to get new deals from.

Matty, upgrade offers are always worse than new connections.  The connection bonuses given to dealers is massive in relation to an upgrade. If you are happy with the phone you have then getting a sim only deal can sometimes be worthwhile, allowing a years free line rental in many cases (they use the connection bonus against line rental rather than to subsidise the phone cost).

For customer service then Virgin Mobile are the best bet, but not always the best deal on a handset.

Cheers got about 8 months to run, the phone itself id the best I've ever had, and had the claimback not shafted me it would have been a very good deal IMHO, when I move I just hope the Orange signal is better than my office now, and my house which is a cave for all networks signals.

[Simon Pieman]

Do you HAVE to sign and 18 month contract with everyone now a days?

Im on Vodaphoneand due an upgrade FINALLY next month and waiting 18 months to get another phone has completely annoyed me

does anyone still do 12 months?

They do, just get shitter tariffs and deals though. If you go to a phone shop they'll usually buy out your contract if you get a new one through them.

[Sussex]

Been with 02 for seven years, no probs except it takes ages if you need to get through to customer services. Good coverage, and telling them Orange will give you *insert whatever phone here* free, usually cuts a deal on an upgrade.

Renewed my contract recently and didnt realise before that the online deals could be done over the phone. Was on 400 mins + 100 texts > £45. Now on 800 mins + 200 texts > £35. Woot.

(18 month jobby though)

[Bushey Boy]

Ive been with Vodafone for 8 years with the same number.  Its on a rolling 24 month contract.  I call up every 9 months or so and as my bills are huge each year they normally upgrade for free

[genf_stfc]

They will phone you even more now, plus they will pass you through to a department to cancel who will proceed to try and "save" you.

think i must already be way beyond that, they call me every day now.  Maybe I'll try haggling next time