IanW

While i admit to having been VERY lucky with the service that i have recieved from Orange over the last few years, i do PAY for the service, however i am getting to the point where i am reluctant to continue to pay a three figure sum every month for the odd occasion that i have to call them.

Now the way i see it these days i can either -

1) Get stuck on an 18 month contract but hopefully choose a decent handset
2) Get one of the 30 day contracts and buy myself a decent handset
3) Go PAYG and buy a decent handset

I am a reasonalby heavy user normally using around 1200 minutes a month (+- 10%) however most of my calls are to landline numbers and i notice some of the tarrifs include things like unlimited calls to landlines.

I would like to have the ability to get my emails etc from my phone going forwards as well without having to get shot for data charges! Hence i am looking at the Sony Experia X1 as it has all the features i would like yet without being huge like some of the other Windows Mobiles devices.

At the moment i find myself leaning towards Vodafone, however having read their eforum some of the stories about the customer service scare me!

Ian

JackClark

iPhone £45 monthly tariff just about covers your minutes, email does not get better and data is free.

IanW

I've had a play with an iPhone and just didnt really get on with it...

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

Or the HTC Touch HD? I'm definitely getting one, it's just a matter of finding the right deal at £35 a month.

The extra screen size / resolution does it for me, and I'll make sure I get a data tariff thrown in to make sure I can browse and get emails as well

Matteeboy

I'm almost at the end of my contract with Orange but feel I'm being striped big time.
I seem to pay £50+ a month and use about 200 minutes and send a few texts. The only thing I do use it for a fair bit is net access to check the surf.

Also can't find any decent phones to replace mine (SE W850i with a very handy torch!). Annoying.

frenziedfox

I've just got one of these... it's sweet.

davyboy

Just to be clear, Orange are a Network operators, and not a mobile phone company. That would be Sony, Nokia etc.

People will always moan loudest about customer care, you rarely see people post about how well Orange dealt with their recent change of address. As a consumer you'll only ever get answered on the phone by someone on (near) minimum wage.

I'd be considering Voda and the BB Storm.

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

and that's the phone I'm replacing!

Damn bright LED on the thing I have to agree

Scooby Soon!

If you are paying three figures (e.g. £100 or more) for one phone that is pretty amazing! I would not of thought there is any reason to pay more than about £30 a month for any amount of texts, internet, and phone calls.

i pay about £9.00 a month for unlimted internet, 1000 mins and 1000 texts never been able to use all of my allowance yet

Jamescsti

Been with Vodafone for 3 years, my first handset broke, they replaced it under warranty within 24 hours via courier. When i renewed they moved me to a 12 month contract without me having to ask as I am a good customer apparantly ( my monthly bill is always between £40-£50)
Never had a moments trouble personally

stevebt

iTrader: (8)

I have the 30day contract with 02 I get more minutes and txts than on contract and I have unlimited internet all for £19.50. I bought an LG kc910 off ebay. My price per month once I include the price of my phone doesn't work out any dearer than taking a proper contract but I have no tie ins and if you ain't bothered about having the best phones you can save even more cash.

Snazy

I have to agree with scooby soon, im paying early 3 figures for 5 contracts lol.
As for Orange, Premier does the trick for me Not had too many major issues over the years.

Blackberry does the trick with the handset, calls, email, web etc.
Failing that the other handset is a 6220c which is fab too.

Time to look at your tarrif me thinks.

IanW

I am on an old Orange Premier Tarrif at the moment and i know that Orange wont let me change it, and will want me to move to one of the new 'animal' tarrifs.

MMT WRX

I renewed my Orange contract at Carphonewarehouse and got a lot better deal than going direct...work that one out.

I wanted the new SE C905, Orange wanted £140 So I went to CPW with a view to maybe changing networks but they for some reason renewed my contract with Orange slightly better deal and the C905 was free.

BTW I also tried the iphone and didn't like it.

Scooby Soon!

you can negotiate with most suppliers, I am with tmobile and on my bill it has something like:

-25%...discount
-£10 ...discount
-web n walk 50% discount
-loyalty discount £10

leaves about £5 at the bottom plus vat and plus a little for 0845 and 0870 numbers although I use them for international calls so still cheaper than direct.

IanW

I have had a 10% discount from Orange for being a loyal customer for the last 8 years, but thats about it, my current tarrif is a good few years old now, and things have moved on somewhat.

Snazy

Premier is £10 a month inc Orange Care, on most tariffs. Surely you can combine the 2 and save money.

I usually get "an incentive" annually. Let alone once in 8 years lol
Call premier helpline and talk it through, there is much better to be had still with Orange.

IanW

I doubt they will let me keep my 9 monthly handsey upgrade though

Snazy

lol I have not waited a year for an upgrade on my main account for the past 5 years. Month 10 of an 18 month has to be my best to date.

To be fair, im less and less bothered by upgrades these days unless there is something funky on the market.

Matteeboy

Really?!
I've been with them for about 12 years (first as a non biz user and been a biz user for 6 years) and never had any discount mentioned...

TBH I'm getting a bit narked with the fact that being a loyal customer gives me no benefits at all.

Jerome

Before deciding on a phone, go into a phone store and spend some time playing with the various phones that fit your requirements.

I was convinced I wanted an Experia until I got my hands on it. I found it an awful phone and went with a Storm.

IanW

Well i phoned Orange Premier CS to speak to retentions

Been offered -

Same no of minutes i have now (2000 minutes plus unlimited weekend calls to orange mobiles and land lines)
500 texts (as opposed to paying £20 odd quid a month for the bundle i have)
Unlimited Data (subject to FUP as opposed to the 3MB a month free)
Free voicemail
Free itemised billing

And the best thing for me is i get to KEEP my Orange Premier service, and get a new handset after 9 months! and i am on a 12 month contract as opposed to an 18 month one!

And they have over halved my line rental!

So well done Orange you have made me a hapy customer yet again! Now i just need to pop into an orange store and choose a handset...

IanW

Speak to them nicely, and i have always found them to be very amenible (sp?)

Snazy

Hurrah, god bless Premier, they aint let me down yet
Just found out though that after dropping my tariff on my main account I dropped out of Premier coverage, so am paying the extra £4 a month to stay in the nest lol.

Any thoughts on handset yet ?

IanW

Not sure going to pop in to my local store and have a look and see.

I might have a look at the n96 if it will work in my car kit..
Sony c905 maybe
HTC Touch HD

Not sure really!

Snazy

Aaaah fair play. N96 just didnt appeal to me this time round, seems too bulky still following on from the 95.
I did not get on with my HTC Touch Diamond AT ALL lol, so got rid within a week.
On a serious note, I have found the Nokia 6220c to be a really good all rounder. A little lame on looks, but a non slide version of the N96 IMO. 5mp camera, built in GPS, TV out, and most of the other things the N96 has to offer.

See what you think of the 2 side by side.
Compare phones - GSMArena.com

Or wait ages and get the N97
Nokia N97 - Full phone specifications