o2 Contract coming to an end

[IJM]

Can't see a good way this is going to end.

Basically, I want the N96 when it's out which o2 said is deffinatly going to be Q3. July / Aug / Sept. My contact is ending August 28th.

I called them up and got pally with the lad trying to get him to relax and give me some secret o2 info, he didn't budge.

I have been with o2 for 5 years almost now, and have a cracking contract and can normally get any phone I want on upgrade.

As I am in fear of the N96 not being available when my contract expires I have nothing to upgrade to, I prefer the N95-1 to the N95-2, and so I won't see it as an upgrade. There is no phone I would like to upgrade to at this moment, except 1*.

Had a chat and o2 said they can't put my renewal "on hold" for a month, it's either a renewal, or a cancellation.

Anyone in a similar situation? Apologies this shouldn't be really in this section, just gauging opinions really.

* Only solution I can think of is, to get the new Iphone (when 02 get it back in stock - haha) and then sell that for cash, and buy an n95 sim free (but I somehow don't see the Iphone 3g costing the same).

Really snookered here :(
__________________

[Logan]

Threaten to cancel. Get put through to retentions. Tell them what you want. Job done.

Doesn't work all the time, but generally most companies will cave in to your demands when there is a chance they might lose another 12-18 months out of you.

Thankfully my contract doesn't expire till Nov-Dec time as I'm also looking at upgrading to the N96.

[IJM]

Originally Posted by Logan

Threaten to cancel. Get put through to retentions. Tell them what you want. Job done.

Doesn't work all the time, but generally most companies will cave in to your demands when there is a chance they might lose another 12-18 months out of you.

Thankfully my contract doesn't expire till Nov-Dec time as I'm also looking at upgrading to the N96.

That's just it, Carphone warehouse are saying October 2008. So I think I will have to accept I am not going to get it in time.

If they won't place my contract on hold, I don't want to cancel as I'll get the iphone or 8gb and see if I can haggle my contract even more lower.

[gavinguinness]

IJM,

I was in the same situation as you. I started what I think ended up being a really useful thread here entitled N95-2, N82 or N96?.

But to sumarise, this is what I came up with:

I concluded that the N82 was the better of the three, apart from wanting the latest gadjet, the N82 seems to be the better device with several significant improvements over one or both the alternatives: A proper flash, GPS in a better position, no moving parts, removable media, more RAM. etc...

Then armed with this, I contaced O2 to be told the N82 is no longer stocked by them!

This is about where you are upto now, I guess.

Part of me wanted a new shiney device, part of me thought about getting a iPhone or N958GB and flogging it on eBay, part of me saw sense that the only phone on the market I really wanted besides the N82 was the N95 and I already had one!

So I renewed my £30 a month contract with O2 for 12 months. This is what I got:

Two or three hundred minutes (I can't remember exactly, but more than I use)
About 400 texts
Unlimited data (FUP 200mb)
£30 a month with £15 discount.
£150 credit on my account
No phone

=£30 for the year! And I still get O2 treats.

Now, if in the future I decide to buy the N82, I can save up for it or buy it on an 9 month interest free Credit card and pay it back at £30 a month. Because for the next 10 months, my bills are £0!

Fact is, most of your rental, as demonstrated above, goes towards your handset, so if you don't have one, drive the price of your contract down and buy the phone you want independantly, when it's available, sim free.

Hope that helps mate.

[IJM]

Thanks mate, great help. I really need to have a look at the N82 as that seems a decent alternative I suppose.

Thanks for the post, My contract at the moment is 400 mins and 1000 texts for £25 a month, 12 month contract. So I can maybe get a free upgrade, choose an expensive phone and sell it, thus buying an N82 with the money. Or keep my phone, and see if I can do as you did, gain come credit on my account and free data, maybe an upgrade too ? If I could swing that, I'd get another N95 as mine is slightly battered now.

I guess i'll have a look around o2 at what phones are the most expensive, as their retention team is brilliant and will give me almost any thing, maybe an iPhone when they back in stock ?

Will keep yer updated thanks!

[IJM]

Well after three phone calls, finally got there ( I think )

Called upgrades they were adamant they couldn't freeze my contract for a few months, only place me on a simplicity tariff and re join as a new customer when I am ready. So called cancellations, advised them I want it frozen for 2 months, they were also adament in saying they can't do it. But what I got in the end were two options.

I can go on a simplicity tariff for 2 months at £20 a month, and after that I can then negotiate a new contract ( hoperfully N96 is out then !!!!! ) or I can cancel any time.

Or I can cancel the account, but If I did re join they'd give me £250 account credit. Now I know, if I did this I would not get the N96 on the same tariff I am now.

So I agree with him, they place me on a £20 a month tariff with Simplicity. 1000 free texts and 300 Minutes. And when I am ready to rejoin o2 contracts online. I can, and get a free upgrade phone and keep the same tariff, but bargin with them on it. And I have to rejoin within 6 months. So I think I did well out of it. Got him to admit, I can get the N96 for free when I rejoin on my current tariff or better. ;)

Ace.

[samperry209]

Originally Posted by IJM

Well after three phone calls, finally got there ( I think )

Called upgrades they were adamant they couldn't freeze my contract for a few months, only place me on a simplicity tariff and re join as a new customer when I am ready. So called cancellations, advised them I want it frozen for 2 months, they were also adament in saying they can't do it. But what I got in the end were two options.

I can go on a simplicity tariff for 2 months at £20 a month, and after that I can then negotiate a new contract ( hoperfully N96 is out then !!!!! ) or I can cancel any time.

Or I can cancel the account, but If I did re join they'd give me £250 account credit. Now I know, if I did this I would not get the N96 on the same tariff I am now.

So I agree with him, they place me on a £20 a month tariff with Simplicity. 1000 free texts and 300 Minutes. And when I am ready to rejoin o2 contracts online. I can, and get a free upgrade phone and keep the same tariff, but bargin with them on it. And I have to rejoin within 6 months. So I think I did well out of it. Got him to admit, I can get the N96 for free when I rejoin on my current tariff or better. ;)

Ace.

cant you get a early upgrade as n96 is out 2 weeks today

[IJM]

Originally Posted by samperry209

cant you get a early upgrade as n96 is out 2 weeks today

Where have you heard that ?

[samperry209]

29th august now..... but i swear it was 31st july on play.com

[IJM]

Hmmm, That doesn't mean o2 will stock it then. Carphone warehouse are saying October