Anyone else get a call from O2 to renew your iPhone contract?

Kashkai

I am about 12 months into my 18 month contract for my 8GB iPhone 3G (can't believe its been a whole 12 months with my beloved iphone ). Last Thursday, I had an unsolicited call from 02 to tell me about a new bundle they are doing for €40 a month (I'm currently paying €45) with unlimited free O2 to O2 calls and texts. They said they could sign me up there and then for another 18 month contract.

When I said that I was thinking of upgrading to a 3GS, they said I could get a 16GB for €199 incl my upgrade discount. I said that wasn't a great price and I'd wait and see what Vodafone were charging when they start selling the iPhone and I might port to them. This is when he turned from Mr. Nice into Mr. Not So Nice threatening that as I was under contract until September next, O2 could sue me for porting to Vodafone before then. I just laughed at him and thanked him for making my mind up for me and that I would definetly port to Vodafone now after being with O2 (and Digifone before then) for 12 years all thanks to his pathetic little threats.

Has anyone else been getting these calls from O2 to renew their contract before O2 lose their exclusive rights to sell the iPhone?

Oafley Jones

Prosperous Dave wrote: »

I am about 12 months into my 18 month contract for my 8GB iPhone 3G (can't believe its been a whole 12 months with my beloved iphone ). Last Thursday, I had an unsolicited call from 02 to tell me about a new bundle they are doing for €40 a month (I'm currently paying €45) with unlimited free O2 to O2 calls and texts. They said they could sign me up there and then for another 18 month contract.

When I said that I was thinking of upgrading to a 3GS, they said I could get a 16GB for €199 incl my upgrade discount. I said that wasn't a great price and I'd wait and see what Vodafone were charging when they start selling the iPhone and I might port to them. This is when he turned from Mr. Nice into Mr. Not So Nice threatening that as I was under contract until September next, O2 could sue me for porting to Vodafone before then. I just laughed at him and thanked him for making my mind up for me and that I would definetly port to Vodafone now after being with O2 (and Digifone before then) for 12 years all thanks to his pathetic little threats.

Has anyone else been getting these calls from O2 to renew their contract before O2 lose their exclusive rights to sell the iPhone?

You should post that on O2's forum as well. I'd demand an apology.

Dades

Oafley Jones wrote: »

I'd demand an apology.

For what? The guy only mentioned the consequences of breaking the contract - which the OP suggested he was going to do.

Dman001

Dades wrote: »

For what? The guy only mentioned the consequences of breaking the contract - which the OP suggested he was going to do.

While personally I wouldnt demand an apology, the O2 guy shouldn't of went down that road. If you want to make a sale you dont go threatening customers. Good Customer Service should be a priotity to companies when we are in a recession, especially when you are in such a competitive market like phone providers.

O2_Daryll

Prosperous Dave wrote: »

I am about 12 months into my 18 month contract for my 8GB iPhone 3G (can't believe its been a whole 12 months with my beloved iphone ). Last Thursday, I had an unsolicited call from 02 to tell me about a new bundle they are doing for €40 a month (I'm currently paying €45) with unlimited free O2 to O2 calls and texts. They said they could sign me up there and then for another 18 month contract.

When I said that I was thinking of upgrading to a 3GS, they said I could get a 16GB for €199 incl my upgrade discount. I said that wasn't a great price and I'd wait and see what Vodafone were charging when they start selling the iPhone and I might port to them. This is when he turned from Mr. Nice into Mr. Not So Nice threatening that as I was under contract until September next, O2 could sue me for porting to Vodafone before then. I just laughed at him and thanked him for making my mind up for me and that I would definetly port to Vodafone now after being with O2 (and Digifone before then) for 12 years all thanks to his pathetic little threats.

Has anyone else been getting these calls from O2 to renew their contract before O2 lose their exclusive rights to sell the iPhone?

I would like to investigate this, Can you PM me your number thanks plus the approximate time of the call.

philiporeilly

Top reason NOT to move to new contracts yet:

• Next gen iPhone which Steve Jobs told his staff recently would be an A+ upgrade to move them way ahead of the latest competition.
  
• Vodafone might surprise us next month with their iPhone announcement.
  
• If you have any intention of using your device to tether, O2 recently said people on the new contracts will be charged a minimum of €12.50 extra per month to do so. People on old contracts will be allowed to tether within their existing allowance.
  
• 18 Month contract extension JUST to move tariff is NUTS!

whiterebel

To be honest Philip, having worked in Apple, they consider ALL upgrades A+, I wouldn't fall for the Jobs hype. To be honest, it doesn't even strike me as realistic, as it would influence stock markets.

Also, I'm not holding my breath for VF, as they seem to be heading for 18mth contracts, and tariffs that are equally as bad as O2.

BTW, this is not new from O2, they always rang me about a month from the end of my contract, having "investigated" my usage patterns, and suggesting a different package - starting off a new contract, of course.

copacetic

seems to be a fair bit of this kind of thing going on, in spite of denials from O2 that its happening, except for a one off 'isolated incident'.

Key thing from last year I've learned is don't trust anything anyone from O2 tells you until you've triple checked it and preferably gotten something in writing that they can't shaft you over later.

whiterebel wrote: »

To be honest Philip, having worked in Apple, they consider ALL upgrades A+, I wouldn't fall for the Jobs hype. To be honest, it doesn't even strike me as realistic, as it would influence stock markets.

don't get this 'it would influence stock markets' bit? They give guidance to analysts all the time including roadmaps for products. Everyone knows a new iphone is coming, to compete with HTC etc it'll have to be around 1G uP, 5Mp cam with video, higher res better quality screen etc. Theres little doubt it'll be a biggish step up from 3GS.

Anyone would be nuts at the moment to sign up with voda, or get caught out by O2s trick in offereing a slightly better monthly deal to get people signed up for another 18 months for next to nothing from them.

whiterebel

copacetic wrote: »

seems to be a fair bit of this kind of thing going on, in spite of denials from O2 that its happening, except for a one off 'isolated incident'.

Key thing from last year I've learned is don't trust anything anyone from O2 tells you until you've triple checked it and preferably gotten something in writing that they can't shaft you over later.



don't get this 'it would influence stock markets' bit? They give guidance to analysts all the time including roadmaps for products. Everyone knows a new iphone is coming, to compete with HTC etc it'll have to be around 1G uP, 5Mp cam with video, higher res better quality screen etc. Theres little doubt it'll be a biggish step up from 3GS.

Anyone would be nuts at the moment to sign up with voda, or get caught out by O2s trick in offereing a slightly better monthly deal to get people signed up for another 18 months for next to nothing from them.

CEO going on in advance about a fantastic new/updated product which could encourage people to buy shares, and it turns out to be mediocre? Nobody knows for certain there will be a new iPhone, at the moment its all rumour. All the analysts around Apple seem to be working on educated guesses rather than any confirmed knowledge. Not Apple's style anyway, they usually don't comment at all on forthcoming products.

sdanseo

Oafley Jones wrote: »

You should post that on O2's forum as well. I'd demand an apology.

Why? Theres a tickbox on the agreement form to exclude yourself from marketing calls if you like. All they did was offer the OP a >10% discount for a better package, he can have unlimited data and free O2 calls and texts if he takes the offer.

Question for those in the know: what is this "tethering" mullarkey?

copacetic

whiterebel wrote: »

CEO going on in advance about a fantastic new/updated product which could encourage people to buy shares, and it turns out to be mediocre?

but thats a matter of opinion, every CEO does pretty much exactly the above, there are no stock market rules against it as long as it is done reasonably publicly with analysts.

Red Alert

Tethering is the ability to use the iPhone's 3G connection as a modem for your Mac or PC - by bluetooth or USB.

Oafley Jones

sdonn wrote: »

Why? Theres a tickbox on the agreement form to exclude yourself from marketing calls if you like. All they did was offer the OP a >10% discount for a better package, he can have unlimited data and free O2 calls and texts if he takes the offer.

Question for those in the know: what is this "tethering" mullarkey?

Threatening to sue the customer should be pretty big no for their customer care team. Daryll's desire to investigate this call highlights what a serious breach this is if true.

sdanseo

Oafley Jones wrote: »

Threatening to sue the customer should be pretty big no for their customer care team. Daryll's desire to investigate this call highlights what a serious breach this is if true.

Woah, didn't even see that line. Point taken.

Hugh_C

yeah I got one of these calls the other day too. I forgot to ask if they'd throw in a 3Gs tho - I said I'd wait to see what the opposition are going to do - they said they'd save me about 30 quid on teh bill per month

Nonoperational

Sue you? Thats a laugh. You could pay an erly termination fee and leave no prob.

Eire Go Brach

gpf101 wrote: »

Sue you? Thats a laugh. You could pay an erly termination fee and leave no prob.

See this is the thing. Cause the tariffs have changed since most of us signed up. To pay the termination fee you could move to a lower tariff and pay the remainder. But now if we move to a lower tariff. We have to sign up for 18 months.:mad:

So all us fanboys who will want to upgrade will have to stay with 02 or wait till or contract is up or pay our termination fee at the higher tariff.(I am on 350)
Although we all hate 02. Its going to be hard for me not to get the new 4g iPhone when it comes out.

There making it as difficult as pssible for us to move to Vodafone. Which makes great business sense but makes us hate them more.

Nonoperational

I think you can still pay the termination fee based on the lowest contract. I think it is calculated as months left*cost per month of lowest contract.

At least you could very recently when I asked.

philiporeilly

If you recently agreed to new contract but still in billing period of old contract you can ask tell them you changed your mind.

Someone on the O2 forums said he changed his mind regarding new contract as he was unhappy that he will be charged for tethering. They allowed him.

If tethering is an issue for you, maybe worth contacting O2 quickly. If they do improve their offering for new contracts, you can always switch then.

eamon234

whiterebel wrote: »

To be honest Philip, having worked in Apple, they consider ALL upgrades A+, I wouldn't fall for the Jobs hype. To be honest, it doesn't even strike me as realistic, as it would influence stock markets.

In fairness, with the level of competition around when the last three models were released compared to now Apple have no choice but to make the next gen iPhone the best yet - it has to compete with the Droids and Nexus One's not to mention the more affordable Android handsets popping up now like the HTC Tattoo and if WM7 is finally going to be stable enough to enter the game they're going to have a lot of work ahead to stay in the market. People have much more choice now and Apple's restrictive policies are starting to grate with even the most loyal iPhone users (like myself!)

ShadowHearth

Dman001 wrote: »

While personally I wouldnt demand an apology, the O2 guy shouldn't of went down that road. If you want to make a sale you dont go threatening customers. Good Customer Service should be a priotity to companies when we are in a recession, especially when you are in such a competitive market like phone providers.

+1. Its really amazing how people forget, that making customer happy is priority. If you whant to survive and make some money...


OP should make an official complaint, specially after being 12 years with o2!

drunkmonkey

eamon234 wrote: »

Apple have no choice but to make the next gen iPhone the best yet

The best thing Apple could do for consumers is to free the iphone from the networks, let consumers decide what networks they want to be on!!
I should be able to buy the iphone direct from apple ireland, and I should not have my warranty void if I unlock it just because I don't want to be on o2 or Vodafone. It's wrong, it's one major gripe I have with apple and the iphone in Ireland.

Quazzie

I recently received a similar unsolicited call informing me that I was available for a gold upgrade to the iPhone 3GS. Before that call I'd never considered changing my phone or extending the call but after initially turning down the offer, it got me thinking and I rang them back up to confirm the gold upgrade and the prices quoted. Upon hearing confirmation I decided to go for it, an upgrade to 3GS and contract extension I would do.

As I was in work and it was a Tuesday I sent my wife to pick up the phone from the local O2 store and as the account is her name she signed the contracts and brought home the phone. I was playing around with the phone after activating and jailbreaking it, when the price was mentioned. It was €60 dearer than what was quoted so I immediately rang O2 again to query this.

This time I was told that I had not been eligible for a gold upgrade but only a silver one, hence the price difference. Despite being told twice I was eligible I was now being told I wasn't and had signed a contract so was locked into an 18 month contract and it'd take legal action to get out of it.

I love the iPhone and I don't mind O2's tarriffs but that experience means that at the end of my current contract (15 more months:() I shall be leaving O2 as it has most certainly bittered my decade long connection with the company.

whiterebel

drunkmonkey wrote: »

The best thing Apple could do for consumers is to free the iphone from the networks, let consumers decide what networks they want to be on!!
I should be able to buy the iphone direct from apple ireland, and I should not have my warranty void if I unlock it just because I don't want to be on o2 or Vodafone. It's wrong, it's one major gripe I have with apple and the iphone in Ireland.

Surely its on the way with VF coming along shortly. 3 Would have to offer it you would think as it suits them perfectly. Not sure about Meteor if their 3G service is patchy.

drunkmonkey

whiterebel wrote: »

Surely its on the way with VF coming along shortly. 3 Would have to offer it you would think as it suits them perfectly. Not sure about Meteor if their 3G service is patchy.

I'm using it on 3, made more sense for me get and unlock a prepay one from 02 and stick in my 3 bill pay sim rather than getting a free one but getting ripped off on my price plan over 18mts.

@quazzie , you can request a copy of the recordings of your conversation with 02.

Quazzie

drunkmonkey wrote: »

@quazzie , you can request a copy of the recordings of your conversation with 02.

I never knew that. I'll have to look into that.

Dades

drunkmonkey wrote: »

The best thing Apple could do for consumers is to free the iphone from the networks, let consumers decide what networks they want to be on!!

Apple are going to do the best they can for Apple's stockholders.

@Quazzie - don't be distracted by your shiny new 3GS - hassle O2 about that sneaky €60 they charged you.

whiterebel

Dades wrote: »

Apple are going to do the best they can for Apple's stockholders.

@Quazzie - don't be distracted by your shiny new 3GS - hassle O2 about that sneaky €60 they charged you.

Ain't that the truth.

BeeDI

I'm with O2 since about 2 years after they launched as Digifone. Admittedly I had a phone upgrade last August, and so in contract until Feb 2011.
Called O2, with a view to getting an iPhone. Told in no uncertain terms that I would have to pay the full price as I am not entitled to an upgrade, and would have to pay contract termination fee of €330 plus VAT to get out of my existing contract in order to port to Vodafone, if I want to do that.

So I have just decided, that I will stay put until Feb 2011, and regardless of what offers O2 make me, I will move. That means me taking, 2 phones, 1 data card, and 1 blackberry account to the competition.

B

faceman

Quazzie wrote: »

I recently received a similar unsolicited call informing me that I was available for a gold upgrade to the iPhone 3GS. Before that call I'd never considered changing my phone or extending the call but after initially turning down the offer, it got me thinking and I rang them back up to confirm the gold upgrade and the prices quoted. Upon hearing confirmation I decided to go for it, an upgrade to 3GS and contract extension I would do.

As I was in work and it was a Tuesday I sent my wife to pick up the phone from the local O2 store and as the account is her name she signed the contracts and brought home the phone. I was playing around with the phone after activating and jailbreaking it, when the price was mentioned. It was €60 dearer than what was quoted so I immediately rang O2 again to query this.

This time I was told that I had not been eligible for a gold upgrade but only a silver one, hence the price difference. Despite being told twice I was eligible I was now being told I wasn't and had signed a contract so was locked into an 18 month contract and it'd take legal action to get out of it.

I love the iPhone and I don't mind O2's tarriffs but that experience means that at the end of my current contract (15 more months:() I shall be leaving O2 as it has most certainly bittered my decade long connection with the company.

You should contact O2 about this. If you were quoted a cheaper price over the phone then it puts a question mark over the contract. Contact Daryll online.

Just as an aside, Im not O2's biggest fan in the world but we often talk about how the grass is always greener with other mobile operators. But other operator customers have similar discussions on their forums too about porting over to O2 to get away from their provider!

BeeDI

faceman wrote: »

You should contact O2 about this. If you were quoted a cheaper price over the phone then it puts a question mark over the contract. Contact Daryll online.

Just as an aside, Im not O2's biggest fan in the world but we often talk about how the grass is always greener with other mobile operators. But other operator customers have similar discussions on their forums too about porting over to O2 to get away from their provider!

Just proves that there is no real competition in the market place. It's a duopoly, with two other players, making a small nuisance of themselves from time to time.

nice1franko

I'm on the 350 plan. They rang me and said I can have the free any network calls and texts evenings and weekends for 60 p/m. Pretty sure he said 'any network'.

RobbieTheRobber

nice1franko wrote: »

I'm on the 350 plan. They rang me and said I can have the free any network calls and texts evenings and weekends for 60 p/m. Pretty sure he said 'any network'.

It is landlines or any network, I picked that one myself

nice1franko

I wonder can I change to the 40 euro p/m plan and have this then. I make most of my calls eve and weekend anyway.

super_furry

I honestly fail to see why O2 expect people to sign a new 18-month contract just to move up or down price schemes. I could understand the initial 18-month contract when you get an iPhone because the phone is subsidised, but a further year and a half just to change price plans is insanity.

Nonoperational

Agree 100%. It's complete crap.

conolan

BeeDI wrote: »

Just proves that there is no real competition in the market place. It's a duopoly, with two other players, making a small nuisance of themselves from time to time.

This is so true. So as consumers we have to expect that we're not going to make much headway with either provider. Those with the knowledge and desire to unlock can go to 3 but that number will be so small.

I remember 2 years ago being at a meeting where a VF guy said they had lots of iphones on their network, mostly imports he reckoned. They know this will happen, they know customers will churn, they factor it all into the business plan.

So all we can do is jailbreak, spread the word and tether when we can.

philiporeilly

Have no experience of Vodafone but liked Meteor when I was with them. O2 support staff are very friendly but their policies and management decisions are nuts.

Just read on their forums a customer who is 12mths into 18mths contract and is emigrating. He wants to buy out his remaining 6mths but wants to first downgrade his package.

Normally you can do this after 6mths but now O2 say he must pay €500 as they will not let him change without recontracting for 18mths!

http://forums.o2online.ie/forums/showthread.php?t=8403

Stuxnet

he should just do a legger, feck them, there's gratitude for you, he was probably with them for years

Kashkai

O2dont give a flying fcuk about how long you're with them (12 years in my case) and they have no loyalty to you as a customer. I'd consider myself a good customer, paying my bill by direct debit and never missed a payment in 12 years. However at most, all they ever offered me when upgrading was a pitiful ten or at most twenty euro discount off the price of a phone.

They must think we're stupid enough to lock into another 18 month contract to sign up to a lousy five euro a month reduction in the tarriff. I've never come close to using up all my inclusive talk and texts per month so offering me free O2 to O2 calls and texts is no good to me. Why don't they introduce a lighter usage plan for say 25/30 a month or let you tailor your own calls/texts/data package. The answer is that they are making too much money ripping us off with their current pricing.

I'll be moving to vodafone when my contract is up in 5 months and 2 weeks.

nice1franko

I just moved from the 350 plan to the 150 advantage plan which suits my usage and is 40 rather than 65 p/m. score.

Couldn't give a fook about signing up for 18 more months - sure I'm with them at least 12 years already. They said all you're signing up for is to stay with o2 for that time -you are still free to move around price plans within that time frame.