[Bruno]

I'm making this post to make people aware when they are coming to the end of their contract.

I was on a 18 month contract on Dolphin 35 package which ended mid June this year.

As most people nowadays do, I chose to save on paper bills and opted for online billing.

All Dolphin packages now include 500mb internet data and has done since the start of 2010.

When my contract came to an end mid june this year, I continued using my phone on the assumption that I can use my phone and services as normal until I decide to leave orange, or tie up into another service plan.

I know it's my fault for not checking my online bill, however I have just discovered that because my contract ended mid June, they automatically reverted me back to the Dolphin 35 plan I was on back in 2006, which at the time did not have internet data.

This has meant that I have paid over £300 for internet usage since my 18 month contract ended mid June.

I've reported this to ofcom, who advised me to take it up with Orange Mobile Executive Office 0800 0790134 if no joy on phone, then write to them, and ask for a deadlock letter, then I will be able to take it through Cisas which I presume is a independant body.

They have offered me half of the money back as a gesture, I said I'm not happy with that, explaining that it's seems very unfair considering all Dolphin Packages include internet.

I received through the post today my pac number for when I decide to go to another provider, on the letter there is a number to call if you want them to explain what they can offer.

I asked "in you letter, it says if I dont leave, i continue to use my phone and services, What exactly are services?"

He said everything in the package texts, calls, internet etc.

So this is a grey area, as their sales teams don't exactly know the fine print and this is my argument with Orange.

So please be aware, and I would imagine all providers are same, but the fact they are willing to lose me over £150 (bearing in mind they already offered half) and being a multi-million pound company, says they don't have any real customer care.

I have always been with Orange network at least for the last 12 years.

Im in the Chapeltown area, can anyone recomend another mobile provider?

[Magilla]

Interesting. I'm surprised they can get away with changing the terms without informing you and then expect to get away with it. I guess that they assume you agree by not complaining after a certain number of days.

As you say, it's probably in the fine print which no-one ever reads, but it's still bad practice.

[SpecialPG]

im with orange at the moment but im going to switch to tesco mobile once my contract expires in the summer, Im on dolphin £40 and basically i dont use half the minutes and text i get each month but i cant drop my tarriff because its an iphone, so come summer im going to sell my iphone use the cash to buy a new iphone from tesco mobile and go onto thier £20 per month tarriff which is only a 12 month tarriff aswell.

[Bruno]

The excuse Orange have given me is that, in 2008 when i was thinking of leaving, they offered me 500 mins unlimited text and 500mb internet, at the time i said i wanted internet connection, and that was not on the service plan back then.

They say when my contract ran out/came to end that so did the extras they offered, sounds crazy especially when it's now standard on any Dolphin package, but they could not apply it for free because I did not ask for it and they could not alter my contract.

But they also never contacted me to warn me.

I've had text telling me about shared connection with T-mobile.

Also in the past I've had texts saying call costs to and from Europe have been reduced.

I think it's totally wrong, and providers need to make terms and conditions more clearer, even looking on their site i can't find where it says I revert back to my old tariff, or that they can't apply current tariff which is better for the consumer.

[Bruno]

Finally got this sorted, I switched to 02 mid December, and referred my complaint through CISAS, I argued my points to them, and that IMO that the £400 extra charges they had took from my account should be refunded.

I received a letter of apology and a cheque is on it's way for £550.00

I will still never go back to Orange and as soon as my O/H contract comes to an end she will be leaving them too.

[DeathAxe]

Gotta watch yourself with these telecom companies.... all of them are dirty espeshally orange and o2.

Don't be fooled by by ofcom, they offer no protection and exist... simply to exist.