Reestit Mutton wrote:
> Hi Isis,
>
> Can I suggest another possible game plan...when the time comes to renew
> your contract, find a potential new package and then throw that at your
> existing supplier as your reason for moving on, not forgetting to
> request your PAC to take your number with you (if you're changing
> network). It's amazing how much your provider is sometimes willing to
> discount their renewal offer to keep your business if you spend in the
> region of £30+ per month (inclusive of line rental). They just need to
> be given a good reason to do so as no business is likely to throw money
> at you unless they feel that they really have to.
>
> Of course, you may have to accept an initial refusal to budge (and
> request either a cancellation or your PAC in any case) and wait for
> their "outbound" department (or equivalent) to phone you back within the
> next 48 hours or so as it is often only these people that have the power
> to negotiate as much as you would like.
>
> Okay...so it will never match the cost of a brand new package (after
> cashback) but if you value your time at all and fancy a relatively
> stress-free year, you may be willing to treat the extra cost
> (occasionally it can be as little as £50-£100 relative to the equivalent
> best cashback option) as a worthwhile expense.
>
> Only if you can't get your current network supplier to discount their
> deal enough should you then say, "what the hey" I'll just go for another
> cashback deal then.
>
> Saying this could well be detrimental to my website income but I'm
> nothing if not honest. I dare say that you won't see any other mobile
> affiliate openly advising such a course of action.
>
> HtH
> Reestit Mutton

Well said, Reestit. Given the hassle I've had with p2u I'd certainly
prefer low hassle in the future. However it does depend on the network
and what phase they seem to be in at that point in time. I was with
Orange and wanted to upgrade to the K800i after being a couple of months
out of 12-month min term contract. They really could offer me nothing
more than the phone for free. When I asked for my PAC they just said
'fine' and posted it to me (my av. spend was £30-35/mo). I moved to an
O2 deal with OSPS with 7 months free line rental + free phone - about
£245 cheaper than Orange's deal (and with an unlocked unbranded phone!).

Cheers

Alan