Orange racoon inclusive text messages etc

Hi,

Not sure if anyone here will be able to help, but wanted to try before I
give Orange a phone.

I upgraded to my current phone around June 2006 (contract finishes May
this year), and I'm on Racoon 30 extended plan.

Upto and including my November bill I was getting 1000 texts as part of
the plan, but for some reason this has not appeared on my December bill
just received, nor have any inclusive texts, leading to the bill being
quite a bit higher due to me being charged for all the texts I sent.

I'm not sure why it's been removed, although to be fair, it *might* be
because the contract was for 18 months extended to 24 because I upgraded
rather than taking it out as a new one, and the texts were an offer for
the length of the contract.

I honestly can't remember why is why I'm posting here, in case anyone
else can?

If it was an offer for only 18 months, then is there not at least a
small number of inclusive texts on the Racoon plan that it should have
dropped back to?

Regardless, it looks like I'll need to give them a phone, because my
level of texting has changed since I took the contract out, and unless
the inclusive texts on Racoon are around the 400 mark (I wish!) then I'm
going to be cheaper changing tarrif.

Can anyone suggest what would be the best tarrif to go for? Looking at
the web site seems to suggest that a Dolphin tarrif would be best (ie
£35 pm for 600 minutes and unlimited texts) but I don't know if these
are for new customers or upgrades only?

Note though, if any of the suggestions involve upgrading or any other
sort of new commitment to Orange, you should note that I'm seriously
considering moving from them as soon as my contract finishes.

I don't think Orange is best value for money any more, plus I've asked
them twice to sort out a billing problem and they've not yet done so
(it's only for a small amount but still annoying!). I'd like an N95, but
when I can get one on O2 for nothing on the online 35 with 600 minutes
and 1000 texts as opposed to paying around £90 for around the same on
Orange, then it's no contest really!

So with the above in mind, has anyone got any suggestions, or should I
just give Orange a call and see what they say?

Ross
--
Ross A. Nicol running Mailtraq 2.5.2.1630 http://www.mailtraq.com
http://www.lachlan.org.uk/ross/index.html & http://www.nyx.net/~rnicol/index.html

On 2008-01-10 22:04:01 +0000, Ross Nicol <ross-news@lachlan.org.uk> said:

> Hi,


>
>
> Upto and including my November bill I was getting 1000 texts as part of
> the plan, but for some reason this has not appeared on my December bill
> just received, nor have any inclusive texts, leading to the bill being
> quite a bit higher due to me being charged for all the texts I sent.
>
> I'm not sure why it's been removed, although to be fair, it *might* be
> because the contract was for 18 months extended to 24 because I upgraded
> rather than taking it out as a new one, and the texts were an offer for
> the length of the contract.

The 1000 free text offer was only for 18 months. I'd give them a call
and say that you weren't aware of this and have had an unexpected bill
- you *may* be able to get some sort of goodwill credit.

> Regardless, it looks like I'll need to give them a phone, because my
> level of texting has changed since I took the contract out, and unless
> the inclusive texts on Racoon are around the 400 mark (I wish!) then I'm
> going to be cheaper changing tarrif.
>
> Can anyone suggest what would be the best tarrif to go for? Looking at
> the web site seems to suggest that a Dolphin tarrif would be best (ie
> £35 pm for 600 minutes and unlimited texts) but I don't know if these
> are for new customers or upgrades only?

Depends on where you purchased your handset. Website deals are only
available to those who bought of the website in the first place. If
you did it instore, or with a 3rd party dealer, CS will be able to
advise you on what tariffs are available.. they'd still be much better
value on staying on that old version of Racoon.

>
> Note though, if any of the suggestions involve upgrading or any other
> sort of new commitment to Orange, you should note that I'm seriously
> considering moving from them as soon as my contract finishes.

Changing your tariff to one of the newer packages won't affect your
contract term.

>
> I don't think Orange is best value for money any more, plus I've asked
> them twice to sort out a billing problem and they've not yet done so
> (it's only for a small amount but still annoying!). I'd like an N95, but
> when I can get one on O2 for nothing on the online 35 with 600 minutes
> and 1000 texts as opposed to paying around £90 for around the same on
> Orange, then it's no contest really!

If you're out of contract and unhappy with the cost of upgrading you
may find retentions offer you a better deal. You'll get through to
them anyway if you ring to cancel. I think from the above you sound
like you're still in contract - in which case you will need to a while
longer.

HTH,
Chris

On Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:39:30 GMT, Chris Boyd
<chrisbboyd@NOSPAMgmail.com> wrote:

>The 1000 free text offer was only for 18 months. I'd give them a call
>and say that you weren't aware of this and have had an unexpected bill
>- you *may* be able to get some sort of goodwill credit.

Thanks Chris - will give them a call and see what they say.

>Depends on where you purchased your handset. Website deals are only
>available to those who bought of the website in the first place. If
>you did it instore, or with a 3rd party dealer, CS will be able to
>advise you on what tariffs are available.. they'd still be much better
>value on staying on that old version of Racoon.

It was done instore, so will ask CS at the same time as calling them
above. Agree they will be better value but to be honest I've very rarely
used more than the inclusive minutes or the 1000 texts up till now, so
haven't been that desperate to look for a new tarrif, hence the request
for advice here

>Changing your tariff to one of the newer packages won't affect your
>contract term.

Thanks.

>If you're out of contract and unhappy with the cost of upgrading you
>may find retentions offer you a better deal. You'll get through to
>them anyway if you ring to cancel. I think from the above you sound
>like you're still in contract - in which case you will need to a while
>longer.

Yep, still in contract till the end of May, so looking to switch to a
different tarrif just now, and then switch as soon as the contract is
up, probably to O2, although will need to look at what is on offer then.

Not too hopeful of retentions offering me a good deal as I've been told
before that I'm only band 1

>HTH,
>Chris

It does - thank you.

Ross
--
Ross A. Nicol running Mailtraq 2.5.2.1630 http://www.mailtraq.com
http://www.lachlan.org.uk/ross/index.html & http://www.nyx.net/~rnicol/index.html

In article <8f3do3ldnvfd2cnha63jg8pervli8v8ce1@4ax.com>, ross-
news@lachlan.org.uk says...
> Hi,
>
> Not sure if anyone here will be able to help, but wanted to try before I
> give Orange a phone.
>
> I upgraded to my current phone around June 2006 (contract finishes May
> this year), and I'm on Racoon 30 extended plan.
>
> Upto and including my November bill I was getting 1000 texts as part of
> the plan, but for some reason this has not appeared on my December bill
> just received, nor have any inclusive texts, leading to the bill being
> quite a bit higher due to me being charged for all the texts I sent.

When you took your phone out in June 06 the promotion was 1000 free
texts per month for 18 months. Now the 18 months has expired your text
promotion has expired.

If you need a huge text allowance change to Dolphin 30 (100 minutes) or
Dolphin 35 (500 minutes) and both come with "unlimited" texts, fair use
of 3000 per month.

> If it was an offer for only 18 months, then is there not at least a
> small number of inclusive texts on the Racoon plan that it should have
> dropped back to?

No. The plan you have has no texts, but does have inclusive insurance.
The current racoon plans each have 100 texts, so you could change to
todays version of racoon 30 but you would lose your free insurance.

--
Regards
Jon

On Fri, 11 Jan 2008 07:40:11 -0000, Jon <spam@jonparker.plus.com> wrote:

>When you took your phone out in June 06 the promotion was 1000 free
>texts per month for 18 months. Now the 18 months has expired your text
>promotion has expired.

I suspected it was something like that - thanks.

>If you need a huge text allowance change to Dolphin 30 (100 minutes) or
>Dolphin 35 (500 minutes) and both come with "unlimited" texts, fair use
>of 3000 per month.

I don't need a huge amount - ended up sending around 400 in December, so
either of the above will more than suit my needs. Will probably go for
the Dolphin 35. Thanks for the info.

>> If it was an offer for only 18 months, then is there not at least a
>> small number of inclusive texts on the Racoon plan that it should have
>> dropped back to?
>
>No. The plan you have has no texts, but does have inclusive insurance.
>The current racoon plans each have 100 texts, so you could change to
>todays version of racoon 30 but you would lose your free insurance.

Ah right. Because the insurance is shown as a seperate item (think it's
because there is no VAT on it) I'd forgotten that it was included as
part of the plan.

All in all, I think I'll need to lose the insurance anyway, as it would
cost me too much to stay on my current plan until May, plus if I'm
planning on getting a new phone then anyway, I think it's worth the risk
of not having insurance until then, especially as I suspect my household
insurance might cover it anyway....

Thanks for the info.

Ross
--
Ross A. Nicol running Mailtraq 2.5.2.1630 http://www.mailtraq.com
http://www.lachlan.org.uk/ross/index.html & http://www.nyx.net/~rnicol/index.html

"Ross Nicol" <ross-news@lachlan.org.uk> wrote in message
news:8f3do3ldnvfd2cnha63jg8pervli8v8ce1@4ax.com...
> Hi,
>
> Not sure if anyone here will be able to help, but wanted to try before I
> give Orange a phone.
>
> I upgraded to my current phone around June 2006 (contract finishes May
> this year), and I'm on Racoon 30 extended plan.
>
> Upto and including my November bill I was getting 1000 texts as part of
> the plan, but for some reason this has not appeared on my December bill
> just received, nor have any inclusive texts, leading to the bill being
> quite a bit higher due to me being charged for all the texts I sent.

Could just be a billing system error at Orange. Certainly would not be the
first time. I know of someone else, different plan though, who got charged
for all their texts last month.

Ross Nicol wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Not sure if anyone here will be able to help, but wanted to try before I
> give Orange a phone.
>
> I upgraded to my current phone around June 2006 (contract finishes May
> this year), and I'm on Racoon 30 extended plan.
>
> Upto and including my November bill I was getting 1000 texts as part of
> the plan, but for some reason this has not appeared on my December bill
> just received, nor have any inclusive texts, leading to the bill being
> quite a bit higher due to me being charged for all the texts I sent.

I've just had exactly the same thing - upgraded, and didn't get my 500
texts - hence an extra £40 on my last bill.

I think (we'll see) I've managed to both get a full refund of the 400
charged texts and also managed to get them to put the 500 texts back on.

This is because I was expecting this and when I upgraded I made a
specific point of NOT saying "I want to keep the same tariff" or "I want
to stay on Select 500", but explicitly said to Retentions at the time
"And I want to keep 500 mins and 500 texts the same as I have now", and
made this point several times to them.

Luckily I didn't have to argue too hard, the cheeky bastards.

Of course, having phoned up to get the £40 back, the account change
won't happen until next month, so I will have to phone back again in
February and probably harass them to give me yet another £40 back.