Well Orange - you have finally done it.

[djs]

17 years ago, I joined Orange after a few years of Vodaphone and my brick.
Somewhere along the line, I ditched the "contract" and went PAYG and since then my bills have been about £5 a month.
So happy with the value and the general service, I got my missus to sign up (she's on a whopper iphone plan) and then 22 months ago took out a contract for my daughter. I guess they get £400 a year out of us.
Anyway, having resisted all attempts to re-tariff me, I have resolutely stayed with them and politely declined new offers.
UNTIL today, when they finally did me over big time. Their "nice" letter says they are bringing my prices "in line" with other tariffs. So texts up 50% to 15p. Landline off-peak and mobile off-peak up 500%. 500%
A quick look over my last bill (£6 for a few texts and calls) would now cost much more.
So, I'm done. End of.

Is there anyone out there getting a good deal? just a few calls and texts? Should I look at other companies?

Help.

- - -

I'm gutted. I knew it would happen. You can't win.....

[Jen]

giffgaff.com/ - brilliant, they are. You can choose a reasonably-priced 'goody bag', or just go PAYG. GG to GG calls are free, so if your family signs up, it's even better value. They work off the O2 network so have pretty good coverage too.

[fred]

Tesco mobile - Samsung Galaxy mini - 24 months
£10 / month
250 minutes
5000 texts
50Gb data

Or £7.50/month sim only 12 months

They use O2 network.

I love my little phone, and costs me less than PAYG used to.

[djs]

Wow - 2 x NOT-Orange tariffs using the Queen's own network.

I'll check it out.

Samsung Galaxy mini is what I have, so no handset needed. Sim only....unless....

[Blownupdolly]

Definitely with Jen. Giffgaff all the way. Me, husband, daughter and son in law on it. £10 a month. Great service. They also use the O2 network

[motormadfrosty]

ovivomobile.com/

A one off payment of £15 gets you 150 mins, 150 text and 400mb each and every month. No further charges. Best £15 I have ever spent, customer service is spot on to.

[pixiguru]

I'm with 3 PAYG pay £15 a month get 3000 texts 500 mins and unlimited data. There are less options like £10 for 100 mins 3000texts and 500 data.

[fred]

Mar 26, 2013 21:06:55 GMT motormadfrosty said:

ovivomobile.com/

A one off payment of £15 gets you 150 mins, 150 text and 400mb each and every month. No further charges. Best £15 I have ever spent, customer service is spot on to.

Wow - looks like I my be switching in November when my contract  is up. (That's an extra £10/month for Karma's bargains   )

How on earth can they do that?

[sooetie]

Ive got 150 mins and unlimited texts for £8.50 with O2

Best bet is to ring Orange first and tell them you're gonna leave - They'll offer you a great deal to keep you !

Have fun Bartering

[Deleted]

I'm with GiffGaff, it's an unbeatable deal for the money, trust me i've tried!

[motormadfrosty]

Mar 26, 2013 21:30:26 GMT fred said:

Mar 26, 2013 21:06:55 GMT motormadfrosty said:

ovivomobile.com/

A one off payment of £15 gets you 150 mins, 150 text and 400mb each and every month. No further charges. Best £15 I have ever spent, customer service is spot on to.

Wow - looks like I my be switching in November when my contract  is up. (That's an extra £10/month for Karma's bargains   )

How on earth can they do that?

Not sure Fred, it seems like a unsustainable business model but been with them for 6 months and more than happy with the service. I have got a windows phone and struggled to get the 3g working, tweeted them, they replied within 35 seconds.

Obviously no good for heavy users but if you do go over the allowance, it just comes out of your initial £15, top up when you want, they also give you £3 credit for porting your old number and a £3 RAF scheme "wink wink".

P.S. They piggyback off vodafone so check your coverage first.

[motormadfrosty]

Forgot to say Ovivo to Ovivo calls are free. i reckon me and Mrs Frosty will save over £500 this year on phone contracts alone, that's a bloody holiday!!!


and it beats GiffGaff

[fred]

Well.....

Just had read through the T&Cs.

Looks like the £15 credit will disappear after a year, and may need to top up a tenner - will have to look into that, but hey, if its's tenner year fter that....

5.4 All credits must be used within 360 days of topping up. Any unused credit after this period will expire and you will be required to top-up again

Think me & Mrs fred will be swapping providers in November.
Thanks for the info motormadfrosty

[farzooks]

Mar 26, 2013 19:28:59 GMT djs said:

17 years ago, I joined Orange after a few years of Vodaphone and my brick.
Somewhere along the line, I ditched the "contract" and went PAYG and since then my bills have been about £5 a month.
So happy with the value and the general service, I got my missus to sign up (she's on a whopper iphone plan) and then 22 months ago took out a contract for my daughter. I guess they get £400 a year out of us.
Anyway, having resisted all attempts to re-tariff me, I have resolutely stayed with them and politely declined new offers.
UNTIL today, when they finally did me over big time. Their "nice" letter says they are bringing my prices "in line" with other tariffs. So texts up 50% to 15p. Landline off-peak and mobile off-peak up 500%. 500%
A quick look over my last bill (£6 for a few texts and calls) would now cost much more.
So, I'm done. End of.

Is there anyone out there getting a good deal? just a few calls and texts? Should I look at other companies?

Help.

- - -

I'm gutted. I knew it would happen. You can't win.....

I've reached the same attitude towards the phone companies after being a loyal customer of O2 for a decade and being screwed over by them. Customer loyalty isn't prized at all with those bstds - so play them at their own game and join the thousands who 'churn' every month/year to get the best deal.
Stuff'em, they can go swing in the wind.

[santa668]

GiffGaff for the win, don't get the sim direct from GG though, go to the forums and click on the link in someone's sig - you'll get £5 free credit (and so does the sender)! You can then get £5 credit if you give sims away to other people (if they activate it) - it's the gift that keeps on giving back

(Or PM me your address and I'll post one out to you )

Standard rates are pretty damn good, or if you're a heavier user, go for a goodybag for free minutes/texts/data.

UK tariffs

Calls, texts, call forwarding and video calls to giffgaff
Free
Calls to other UK mobiles, landlines (starting 01, 02, 03)
10p per minute
Texts to other UK mobiles and landlines
6p per text
Voice mail
8p per call
Mobile Internet (up to 20MB)
20p per day
Free phone numbers (starting 0800, 0808 & 0500)
Free

I started with the £10 goodybag, went down to the £5 one, and now I'm on standard rate 'cos I don't use it enough to need the free minutes and texts... I.e. less than a fivers worth a month.
I moved from Orange too, after 12 years with them, since my first mobile, and I've been happy with GG. Be aware though, if you're phones locked to Orange, you'll want them to unlock it for you before you leave - it's a pain trying to do it afterwards. Costs about £15 I think to get it unlocked from Orange, check the website, you can do it all online. I had to chase them a fair few times though as they dragged it out. You'll also need a PAC code from them before you leave if you want to keep your number. All the faff was on Orange's side, GG handled it very smoothly.

Joining GiffGaff