Matter of principle. Cancelling T-Mobile contract

[flanajb]

As a result of my 2 year contract with T-Mobile coming to an end shortly, I gave them a buzz yesterday to discuss options. When I was presented with an automated voice stating "We are experiencing high call volumes at present, but if you would like to be prioritised to the head of the queue for 50 pence, please press 1"

That automated message made my mind up for me there and then. CANCEL!!!

The bloody cheek of it.

 

[DiscoStu]

Wow, I didn't know Ryan Air had bought out T Mobile!

Glad to see you've voted with your feet. Hopefully someone will phone to try and keep your business and you can tell them why you're leaving.

I bet the poor guys on the end of the phone love customers either complaining that they've paid 50p or that they have waited for ages because they refused to pay it.

 

[cutting42]

I am with you. Not heard that yet for myself but it would be an instant switch off for me.

 

[RogerS]

Orange/T-Mobile have been doing this for sometime now. I don't bother as my call gets picked up within a reasonable timeframe.

Flanajb....I went through this loop of renewal a few months back. It does pay to do some research amongst the various providers as they all have weekly deals. Depends what phone you're after, as well. If you want the latest model with inter-galactic hyperspeed and 100 megapixel camera then your options for a deal are limited!

I used to be with Orange, my provider is still Orange but I bought the contract via one of Tesco's routes-to-market for mobiles (be warned - Tesco have three routes and all compete with each other to give the best deal - no wonder the company is in dire straights). Still invoiced by Orange as well! But it got me a Galaxy S4 Mini with zero upfront cost and £10 a month cheaper than Orange would offer me...and I've been with Orange a long time.

 

[RogerP]

The more I hear about the mobile phone business the more I think it's all one big rip-off.

I'm glad I don't need one.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

:lol: A £15 Tesco one with £10 of credit every 3 - 4 months works for me...

 

[NikNak]

well now you know you can at least be ready with.... "i'm sorry, but if you wish to speak to the contract holder that will cost you £3.50.... press 1 if you agree to the terms...."

 

[flanajb]

Yes. Going to go with GiffGaff as for £15 / month you get unlimited data and calls, and you are not tied in.

 

[Steve Jones]

A word of warning :

Been with Giffgaff now for about 2 years, its a good service as long as your in town or built up areas but when holidaying in the East Devon area and other places 'out in the sticks' the signal is rubbish.
I can just about send a text but as for making a phone call or using 3G to retrieve emails etc I might as well not bother.
After reading in various places on the net it seems I'm not on my own either.

HTH

Steve

 

[petermillard]

GiffGaff uses the O2 network, which doesn't have the best out-of-town coverage, it's true.

@flanjab; no tethering on the GiffGaff unlimited plans, just in case you didn't know. Not an issue if it's not something you use, but has caught a few people out...

Cheers, Pete

 

[DrPhill]

Hmmmmm......

If everybody pays the 50p, and they all go to the 'priority' queue, then they will all wait just as long. Of course there may be an option on the priority queue to jump to a higher priority queue.

If paying 50p can guarantee a swift response, then they must have some 'spare' capacity reserved for payers. Capacity that could be answering calls more fairly. So maybe there is a deliberately created 'queue' to encourage payers.

So program would go like this:
(1) tell them that "we have a high call volume, please pay to jump the queue".
(2a) wait 20 seconds to see if they will pay.
(3) put them through anyway.

(2b) if they pay note their number and make them wait 30 seconds next time if they do not pay. (We know they are gullible)

Or am I just getting cynical?

 

[nanscombe]

So it costs 50p to jump to the head of the queue.

How much does it cost to just sit and wait your turn .....

 

[flanajb]

@flanjab; no tethering on the GiffGaff unlimited plans, just in case you didn't know. Not an issue if it's not something you use, but has caught a few people out...
Cheers, Pete

Oooh. Thanks. Rethink required!

 

[Stu_2]

So it costs 50p to jump to the head of the queue.

How much does it cost to just sit and wait your turn .....

Presumably nothing but a long time, as most customer service calls are free if called from a mobile with their short-dial code?