>
New Topic
>
Reply<
Esato Forum Index
>
General discussions >
General
> UK Contract length - 12, 18, or 24?
Bookmark topic
It's probably an obvious thing to say, but I've always preferred 12 month contracts - when 18 month terms came in a few years ago, I resisted them. In my view it's just too long a commitment. It's obvious that the networks prefer the idea of longer contracts, no doubt more people committed to longer contracts looks much better on their bottom line, but for the consumer there aren't too many benefits. I hate the way the networks immediately made 18 month contracts the default (if you're not paying attention when buying/upgrading you'll always end up on one, regardless of what term you were on before) and my guess is the vast majority of people on these contracts probably get tricked onto them because they assume or are told there's no other option.
In recent times I've noticed the sales reps are getting even more forceful on these longer contracts. My wife, when she tried to upgrade recently, was told by a CSA at Vodafone that they no longer do 12 month contracts at all. When we pointed out that they still offer them on the website, and I'd upgraded on a 12 month contract myself only a few weeks earlier (after much argument) she eventually conceded, but tried to say they would phased out very shortly. She also tried several times to rope her into a 24 month contract, which was a new one for me for the UK - I know in the states they tend to go for these things, but I expect less monopolistic practices over here.
My hope has always been that they'll never drop 12 month contracts altogether as long as enough people insist on them, and refuse to get tied into longer terms, but maybe the networks are now getting their way, and have worn their consumers down? Is 18 months about to finally replace 12, with 24 becoming the new target for up-sell hungry CSAs? I hope not...
[ This Message was edited by: Boinng on 2007-12-20 19:21 ]
--
Posted: 2007-12-20 13:35:57
Edit :
Quote
Its outrageous the way some of them behave. Who wants to be dragging around the same tatty phone after 12 months never mind 18.
You do have to have your wits about you when you speak to them as they will sell you what they want to and not what
you want.
I suppose it great when people have been with the provider for a few years as they have some bargaining strength when it comes to upgrade but I certainly wouldn't accept an 18 month contract.
--
Posted: 2007-12-20 13:45:49
Edit :
Quote
Theres always people that must have the latest gadget, phone ect ect so they take out a contract to get said phone. Personaly im happy to have a mid range phone which u can get for 100 to 150. And i can get everything i want with regards to wap txts and calls cheaply on payngo.
This message was posted from a WAP device
--
Posted: 2007-12-20 13:52:24
Edit :
Quote
I personally think that the march to 24 month contract will be made more harder, because operators will decide that this is the way forwards in terms of customer retentions.
Apart from this, I also think that the next big thing from them will be less or non-subsidised handsets.
The Apple iPhone is a case in point this business model has legs...
In the end, we will probably end like the USA where the RAZR V3 is available on a 3 year contract and you'll still have to pay $50 for the phone!
--
Posted: 2007-12-20 14:19:41
Edit :
Quote
I try to only get 12 month tariffs as I like changing my phone. It is getting harder to get a good deal on 12 month tariffs now.
--
Posted: 2007-12-20 14:54:17
Edit :
Quote
@goldenface
try living down under! 24m is the norm here! We have a choice for 12m too, but we dont get free phones with it, like the 24m, so its too expensive!
So, either call up after a year and say you want to upgrade plan, and do for free (only with certain networks here do it free) or, since the networks give us crap deals, can always do insurance jobs to get new phones!!! (ive not done this my self!)
_________________
May the
be with you!
http://www.modmymobile.net/forum/index.php[ This Message was edited by: >500 on 2007-12-20 13:55 ]
--
Posted: 2007-12-20 14:54:41
Edit :
Quote
Hi all,
It is indeed in the Networks interest to try and keep us for as long as possible especially as the Market is now reaching if not already at saturation point. They try to get us to commit to longer contracts buy offering more minutes and texts than on shorter contracts but IMO this is wholly inadequate for some of us that do like to change our devices regularly. If 12 months contract will no longer become available only time will tell but they really are pushing both 18month and 2 year contracts and what IMO is more worrying is their attempt to have us on a minimum spend of £35pm also as the norm.
I have also noticed many getting really bad deals as for their £35pm are getting mid range devices for free as opposed to high end devices, but some users just seem oblivious to the fact for the length of their contract and spend they could get a much better device.
I think we need to remember that the Networks like manufacturers are not our friends they don't really care for us never mind love us and all both of them are really interested in is our money and keeping our custom.
Marc
Nokia N95 8GB, SU-8W, Fring, Vox, Tom Tom 6, Shure EC2g
Honoured to have won BEST DEBATER
[ This Message was edited by: Dogmann on 2007-12-20 14:11 ]
--
Posted: 2007-12-20 15:09:30
Edit :
Quote
18 month is the norm now if you want a decent handset these day i can only assume that in a few year 24 month contract will be the norm if you want a high end handset for free.
--
Posted: 2007-12-20 15:13:11
Edit :
Quote
I think as consumers we all just need to try and fight this. I agree a lot of the deals on offer are dissapointing, and that's all the more reason to reject them, and keep haggling, until they cough up something better - which they invariably always will.
It helps if you're upgrading of course - and the more you upgrade the more they seem to want to keep you again the next year. When my contract came up with Voda two months ago I immediately cancelled, citing their lack of the P1 as my reason - while the upgrades people I'd been speaking to up till then had been pretty unhelpful and disinterested, the cancellations people were quick to call me up and offer me the HTC Tytn II for free, on an 18 month extension. I'm only on a £20 + 7.50 data tarriff, but when I insisted on a 12 month contract they eventually did me the deal but paying just £50 for the handset. Admittedly, not free, but not bad considering the real value of the phone - so there are still reasonable 12 month deals to be had if you press for them.
--
Posted: 2007-12-20 15:32:31
Edit :
Quote
i hate it when they suck you in with
£15 a month for the first 3 months and £50 / month thereafter
--
Posted: 2007-12-20 16:05:30
Edit :
Quote
New Topic
Reply
