My mobile phone contract with 02 ended in january was on a £40 a month price plan for previous 12 months and i was eligible for an upgrade. However i decided to try and get a phone with Vodafone on a £35 a month plan and was declined. I told the Vodafone lady that this was crazy as i had been on an 02 tariff paying £40 a month for the previous 12 months.
Then i tried getting another phone with 02 through another website so i could take advantage of the 1/2 price line rental offer but this was also declined this was on a £35 a month plan. I honestly thought that this would go through as currently had a line with them always paid by direct debit and had no problems, the website even asked for my current or most recent 02 line number if i had ever had a line with them before put in in and still got declined.
When i called 02 directly and upgraded through their customer services the upgrade went through ok, but it wasnt necessarily the handset that i had wanted. The upgrade i chose is £35 a month for the next 18 months.
It seems strange that you cant get a mobile phone elsewhere even with the same network you are currently on, i think its silly and doesnt make sense. My advice to everyone else in an IVA dont ever bother trying to take out a mobile line elsewhere for 6 years you will be declined, the only thing you can do is upgrade with your current network but only directly through them, this will restrict what offers you can get and choice of handset.
Sorry about the long post but just needed a moan out of frustration.
The problem is the mobile companies credit check you when you apply for a new contract, but only check your payment history if you're going to upgrade.
Yeah that makes sense but its still ridiculous i mean anyone can afford a mobile phone as long as they are working, i know its because im in an IVA but it is hard to take even the simplest things like a mobile phone that were easy to get before my IVA are now out of reach. Ive had a mobile phone contract always for the past 10 years with every company except Vodafone and have had a 100% payment record.
Last edited by Kool_73 on Wed Feb 11, 2009 8:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
You can still threaten to go elsewhere obviously we wont be able to but they dont know that, I did that in April just after my IVA started and got a great deal with 02 who ive been with for about 5 years.
You will find in most mobile phone companies T&C that they don't like IVA's or BR.
Stupid, I know, as you have already demonstrated that you keep up the payments.
Fortunately, as you have discovered, if you go through the company themselves, they just tend to check your account and if you have paid ok, they will upgrade you.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
