Contract Length

[Stringent]

WHY are we now in this country going over to just 18 month and 24 month contracts? Why are those being penalised just to keep a 12 month contract. Phones generally don't last 18 months before looking tattered. I just think its a farce. 3 were a bit sensible and offered a 6 month contract. What is going on!?

[Templar87]

It may be the case that those taking 18 month contracts are being "rewarded" for the longer commitment, rather than the other way round. Agreed, it's unfortunate you have to go to 18 or 24 months to get a decent deal.

[dave87]

I don't know why you suggest phones don't last 18 months - All my SE phones have lasted that long, if not longer.

k700 - had a year, sold to a mate, still going afaik.
k750 - 3 years and still going
k800 - 2 years and still going
Nokia 8600 Luna - not so much confidence in this one, been with Nokia for a month of the 6 I've had it....

[Stringent]

Well they work, but if you are like me they get tatty, even in a case. Plus a year in technology terms can be a long time. The longer the contract the more you pay really IMO, as you get the phone at a lower price its 'built into the contract' so logically if you are on it long you pay more.

However I am seriously going to test my negotiation skills when they ring me to let me know the N96 is in. If they can't match or come close to some of the 3 deals, I will just ask them for my PACs code.

[mightymouse]

i think they just try to lock you in longer since most of them then you buy up your contracts at the 11th month. but the bottom line is they are trying to keep their customers, especially those who can pay. but i do agree most phones get a bit old in 6 months or so. i usually change mine within 6 months and continue my contracts on those 12months free deals.

[mylaura99]

my nokia n-gage still working- 5 years now

[thestjohn]

I worked in independent mobile sales until about 18 months ago, and they had started to implement the longer contracts back then, and we found it was really hard to offer phones for free on 12 month contracts as they had dramatically slashed commission rates if you weren't taking up the 18 or 24 month option. No idea what commissions are like now. But we did end up with at least 50% of customers coming back in 12 months with a completely shagged phone wanting an upgrade we couldn't provide. Though I've not had that problem, luckily. Every phone I've ever owned still works, apart from the original SPV which ended up meeting a wall at high velocity due to a bike crash. Never could quite work out what my customers did to the poor things, apart from the fact I sold to quite a few farmers and builders.

[TheKork]

The networks are looking for longer commitment (more money) and people are generally accepting it so its slowly crept in that 18 months is just standard. Basically the networks tried it and got away with it. 2 year contracts will be the standard in the not so distant future I fear.

[yid0]

Does it not work out cheaper to buy your own phone and take a sim only deal, rather than tie yourself down to a 2 year contract?

[Korky]

Depends on the phone (im TheKork, found my old login) you can get £300 handsets for free on £35 x 18 months = £630. So your paying £18.33p a month for your minutes and texts. Tmobile do 800mins unltd txts for £35. On sim only the same deal is roughly £20-25. It can be close but whos got £300 to put down upfront for a mobile phone.

[floppybootstomp]

Absolutely agree with you.

It's a conspiracy, every two months all the major mobile phone suppliers meet and agree on plans to extract the most money from mobile phone users that they can.

Which, if you're an Orange shareholder, is fair enough, really, mobile phone users are cash cows after all.


All those weenies texting 'omg' and stuff. Huge market.

Where were we, I've lost the plot, hehe

[Zero 101]

Originally Posted by floppybootstomp

Absolutely agree with you.

It's a conspiracy, every two months all the major mobile phone suppliers meet and agree on plans to extract the most money from mobile phone users that they can.

Which, if you're an Orange shareholder, is fair enough, really, mobile phone users are cash cows after all.


All those weenies texting 'omg' and stuff. Huge market.

Where were we, I've lost the plot, hehe

The OFT would/should be on their case if that were true, do you have anything to back this up?
Cash cows yes, I do think that the networks think that most people are stupid and will pay what ever they ask.

[floppybootstomp]

Originally Posted by Zero 101

The OFT would/should be on their case if that were true, do you have anything to back this up?

Of course I don't

What do you think I am - sensible?

But it's probably true

[Zero 101]

Originally Posted by floppybootstomp

Of course I don't

What do you think I am - sensible?

But it's probably true

That would be expecting a little too much

No probs M8, rant over now then is it?

Just cancelled 2 out of 3 contracts with 3, see other post, gave sim only £5pm ok and two 18 mth £18 only us deals- not ok- as they are available on web and for 6 mths to new customers but 18 to existing.
Try getting them to see that this is both unfair and penalising existing loyal customers, they just don't seem to either understand or listen.
After several calls to UK and India finally got Pac's, now lets see what they do or have I been to clever for my own good?

[floppybootstomp]

Originally Posted by Zero 101

No probs M8, rant over now then is it?

Maybe, maybe...

I'm with Virgin atm, Sim Card only, 300 minutes & 300 texts for £20.00 a month, 1 month contract.

I kept my phone from the previous 12 month contract as I liked it so much.

Ideal.

My rant probably stems from several nasty experiences with the Carphone Warehouse, despicable people in my opinion, but that's another story.