I am Having a Miserable Week

[village idiot]

My mobile phone operator (O2) has decided to 'block' my phone so I can't make calls. On Monday, they completely turned the service off. I couldn't make/receive calls, send/receive text messages etc. It was a nightmare. I had to phone them yesterday and called them a few name using some choice words. They then turned the phone back on but only so I can receive calls but not be able to make any calls or send text messages.
The whole experience has left me shattered. Thanks to this, I am now going to take the day off so I can resolve this. Somehow, my gut instincts tell me I will be cancelling the whole arrangement and moving my services to a different provider. Nightmare I could do without. All jobs for Wed, Thur & Fri have been cancelled. This is going to cost me lost income, but I'm standing my grounds.

 

[Millsy 82]

Why did they block you? The only time they have done that to me is when I haven't paid my bill, apart from that never has a problem with them.

 

[Nostrum]

Why cancel all your work ?

 

[village idiot]

Why did they block you? The only time they have done that to me is when I haven't paid my bill, apart from that never has a problem with them.

I phoned my bank two weeks ago and cancelled the DD arrangement, so they have been unable to collect Feb bill. So they have decided to 'teach me a lesson'.
My Bill was £40 + VAT/month. Then towards the end of Jan, a new contract was sent to me. The chap said: 'You pay an average of £58/m, I can reduce that to £44 a month if you take out a new contract''. So I accepted. But when the bill came, it was for £44 + VAT.
When I received the bill, I hit the roof, phoned my bank and cancelled the DD straight away. OK, I accept I should have known the amount was without VAT, but my arguement is that the agent/staff should have compared like for like. If you tell me that my average monthly bill is £58/m, then the new amount should also be inclussive of VAT. To quote the old tarrif with VAT, then the new one without VAT is in my opinion, deceptive. I will be phoning them to ask for a PAC code.

Nostrum, I have cancelled all work as for some unknown reason, I am of the feeling that this whole issue is going to drain me out. Infact, I had to buy a Tesco pay as you go phone yesterday just so I can make calls. I need this sorted by the weekend. I will take the opportunity to do some work at the allotment while phoning around to sort it out. I may switch to EE on a Sim only tarriff

 

[Best]

You are paying crazy money each month anyhow. Guess that is a contract with a phone included obviously?
Personally I own my iPhone and at the moment pay only £10 a month & get texts + data, but minutes are only 150 allowance. I am about to do a better deal.
EE network might be worth looking at.

 

[Millsy 82]

My bill is usually £42 a month but then I have some extra phone calls that go on to 0845 numbers so usually around 50.

That is for an iPhone unlimited calls and texts and 2gb data I couldn't find the same cheaper anywhere else.

 

[Ray Stafford]

I phoned my bank two weeks ago and cancelled the DD arrangement, so they have been unable to collect Feb bill. So they have decided to 'teach me a lesson'.
My Bill was £40 + VAT/month. Then towards the end of Jan, a new contract was sent to me. The chap said: 'You pay an average of £58/m, I can reduce that to £44 a month if you take out a new contract''. So I accepted. But when the bill came, it was for £44 + VAT.
When I received the bill, I hit the roof, phoned my bank and cancelled the DD straight away. OK, I accept I should have known the amount was without VAT, but my arguement is that the agent/staff should have compared like for like. If you tell me that my average monthly bill is £58/m, then the new amount should also be inclussive of VAT. To quote the old tarrif with VAT, then the new one without VAT is in my opinion, deceptive. I will be phoning them to ask for a PAC code.

Nostrum, I have cancelled all work as for some unknown reason, I am of the feeling that this whole issue is going to drain me out. Infact, I had to buy a Tesco pay as you go phone yesterday just so I can make calls. I need this sorted by the weekend. I will take the opportunity to do some work at the allotment while phoning around to sort it out. I may switch to EE on a Sim only tarriff

Mate, I'm all for standing up for yourself, but isn't this cutting your nose off to spite your face?

You have a minor altercation with your phone provider, but there is no reason to let it wreck your week!

Incidentally - swearing at the poor so-and-so's doing a minimum wage shift in the call centre may relieve your feelings temporarily, but is storing up a huge pile of sh1te karma for you later...

 

[village idiot]

My bill is usually £42 a month but then I have some extra phone calls that go on to 0845 numbers so usually around 50.

That is for an iPhone unlimited calls and texts and 2gb data I couldn't find the same cheaper anywhere else.

Contract comes with an iPhone, unlimited texts, unlimited calls to other networks, and 8GB data usage. Truth is I do not use anywhere near all these 'facilities' they've given me. Now they're refusing to provide me with a PAC code saying I must agree to pay off the remaining 35 months on the contract before they'll give me a PAC code? These people are mad. Now they tell me they can cancel the fab arrangement and put me on a 'new. Tarif for £33/m + vat but with just 6GB of data. So my question to them is: If they believe the recent tariff was above board, why send me a mail now saying they can change that to £33/m but insist that I pay the outstanding amount of £56.26 for March bill?
The way I look at it, their staff 'Misrepresented' the Feb contract to me, so the contract is in effect, Void but I'm just thinking, do I have the energy to fight this?
IPhone is one year old, and this new contract comes with no phone. To make matters worse, they seem to be deliberately rolling the contract over to 3 yrs each yr they phone me to give me a good deal? This is a scam if ever there was one. At times like these, I wish I could consult a lawyer instead if fighting my own battles as I stubbornly insist on doing all the time. I am 100% convinced the Feb contract is void in terms of Misrepresentation law, but the stress is getting to me and it's not even midday yet. I think I may just rollover and let these idiots kick me where it hurts. If I say I am angry, it will be an understatement.

 

[Masood]

Contract comes with an iPhone, unlimited texts, unlimited calls to other networks, and 8GB data usage. Truth is I do not use anywhere near all these 'facilities' they've given me. Now they're refusing to provide me with a PAC code saying I must agree to pay off the remaining 35 months on the contract before they'll give me a PAC code? These people are mad. Now they tell me they can cancel the fab arrangement and put me on a 'new. Tarif for £33/m + vat but with just 6GB of data. So my question to them is: If they believe the recent tariff was above board, why send me a mail now saying they can change that to £33/m but insist that I pay the outstanding amount of £56.26 for March bill?
The way I look at it, their staff 'Misrepresented' the Feb contract to me, so the contract is in effect, Void but I'm just thinking, do I have the energy to fight this?
IPhone is one year old, and this new contract comes with no phone. To make matters worse, they seem to be deliberately rolling the contract over to 3 yrs each yr they phone me to give me a good deal? This is a scam if ever there was one. At times like these, I wish I could consult a lawyer instead if fighting my own battles as I stubbornly insist on doing all the time. I am 100% convinced the Feb contract is void in terms of Misrepresentation law, but the stress is getting to me and it's not even midday yet. I think I may just rollover and let these idiots kick me where it hurts. If I say I am angry, it will be an understatement.

I'm afraid your knowledge of contract law is a bit flawed. Look up the principle of caveat emptor. It is not unreasonable for a seller to assume that the buyer would be aware of the existence of VAT.

As for them rolling you into a new contract every time they call and offer you an upgrade - well duh! Their standard contract is 36 months. When you upgrade they are releasing you from the remaining contract term in exchange for you committing to a new contract. It's their way of retaining your business for as long as possible.

Easy option - decline the upgrade! It's no scam, it's appealing to peoples' desire for shiny new things and disinclination to consider the consequences of agreeing to a contract.

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

if you want a 'sim only contract' then you need to only pay about £10 per month SIM Only Deals ? Compare The Best SIM Only Deals

It does sound like the new deal was mis sold to you but cancelling the direct debit is not the correct way.

Call back up, insist on speaking to a supervisor in a good polite manner and explain the whole situation. Remember this supervisor is only on £1 more than the minimum wage

 

[Nostrum]

My bill is usually £42 a month but then I have some extra phone calls that go on to 0845 numbers so usually around 50.

That is for an iPhone unlimited calls and texts and 2gb data I couldn't find the same cheaper anywhere else.

Phone your provider and they should chuck in the 0800 and 0845 for free if you mention it.

I was Orange and when I upgraded they changed me over to EE. The first bill came through and it was £30 worth of 0845. I phoned them up and complained and they just switched it to free there and then!

Aresoles

 

[hammers4spanner]

I stopped doing contracts on phones the minute they started doing 18 months its a complete con.
Buy my phones from now on then on month by month contract for a tenner which comes with phone insurance . When i need a new phone i price it into jobs needs must.

 

[Nostrum]

Contract comes with an iPhone, unlimited texts, unlimited calls to other networks, and 8GB data usage. Truth is I do not use anywhere near all these 'facilities' they've given me. Now they're refusing to provide me with a PAC code saying I must agree to pay off the remaining 35 months on the contract before they'll give me a PAC code? These people are mad. Now they tell me they can cancel the fab arrangement and put me on a 'new. Tarif for £33/m + vat but with just 6GB of data. So my question to them is: If they believe the recent tariff was above board, why send me a mail now saying they can change that to £33/m but insist that I pay the outstanding amount of £56.26 for March bill?
The way I look at it, their staff 'Misrepresented' the Feb contract to me, so the contract is in effect, Void but I'm just thinking, do I have the energy to fight this?
IPhone is one year old, and this new contract comes with no phone. To make matters worse, they seem to be deliberately rolling the contract over to 3 yrs each yr they phone me to give me a good deal? This is a scam if ever there was one. At times like these, I wish I could consult a lawyer instead if fighting my own battles as I stubbornly insist on doing all the time. I am 100% convinced the Feb contract is void in terms of Misrepresentation law, but the stress is getting to me and it's not even midday yet. I think I may just rollover and let these idiots kick me where it hurts. If I say I am angry, it will be an understatement.

Who the hell signs up to a 3 year contract!

 

[Nostrum]

I pay £33 a month incl. VAT and have a new iphone with unlimited calls and texts and 2gb of data.

 

[Best]

Never pay anymore than you have to. These contacts are very cleverly done to take maximum of your money. Just because you are getting extra minutes or data for another £5 a month doesn't make sense to go for it if you will never use it.
Buying a phone outright is often a better deal. You can get nearly new iPhones for very little money & just pay as little as possible on a month only contract.

 

[Millsy 82]

My next phone I will buy outright as it is expensive if you pay it over 2 years.

 

[village idiot]

I appreciate your honesty Masood, but you are misconstrued to assume that caveat emptor means that and that only. I'm afraid there is something in law called Misrepresentation. And just because you sign a document does not infer that you have signed your life away. Considering your version of events are so correct, pray, try explaining to me why they are trying all they can to engage me on a £33/month deal as oposed to the £44/m one they signed me up to? Would that be because they don't fancy the extra cash, or because they feel sorry for me? A lawyer I may not be, but I am 100% confident they have done something wrong. They have the legal might to just tell me to sod off and show me my signature on the said document.
Why do you think documents include the phrase: ''does not affect your statutory rights''?

I am more than prepared and happy to pay £50-60/m and can afford it if I need to. But to transfer me from a £40/m tariff to a £44/m tariff informing me that it is a better tariff than the one I was on, only for me to find out that it is the same tariff. How does that make it right? I want value for money, simples. The contract was provided by a third party (Airtime Solutions) on behalf of O2. Three of the four O2 staff I have spoken to (who made me aware the contract was no different from the one of last year - and wanted to know if I was provided with a phone upgrade) have said they cannot understand why I was sold the contract that way? Now staff at Airtime Solutions have ''assigned'' me a new accounts manager, claiming the other one has been sacked and can I please forget the old arrangement and accept the £33/m one?
So everything is above board and I am an idiot for signing it as 'buyer beware', so why are they claiming to have sacked the chap?

 

[Nostrum]

My next phone I will buy outright as it is expensive if you pay it over 2 years.

It depends how you look at it. I will pay £792 over 2 years. The iPhone costs £620 in the apple shop so for £180 I make all the calls, texts etc for 2 years. Roughly £8 a month. Plus the phone will still be worth something at the end.

 

[Rickster123]

I'm sticking with pay as you go. I hate getting bills.

 

[village idiot]

I set most of my bills on DD and those I don't, I pay at least a week before they are due. I love contract phones as I know in advance what my monthly bills are likely to be. And as Nostrum says, you get a phone 'at a reasonable price' out of the deal. Most of the times, the phone is still good value when upgrade time comes, so it is handed as a pressie to a junior family member.
But to tell me you can reduce my monthly bill from an average of £54 to £44 is not telling the truth, is it? If one were to asume that as a business, then figures are quoted ex vat, then why quote one with vat and the other without? Because you intended to DECEIVE.

It's like me phoning Mr Stafford and asking price for an Ideal logic+ and a WB Greenstar. He gives me the Ideal logic with vat and the WB without vat, informing me that: 'you see, from these figures, the WB is cheaper.' So I order the WB, only to find out the bill comes at a higher price to the Logic+. Would you say I should have realised that?