The logic of mobile phone companies?
By Koalemos
@Asylum (47893)
Manchester, England
February 11, 2007 4:47pm CST
I am using a Sony Ericsson K750i mobile phone, which I have had now for over 18 months, so I decided that I would upgrade to a more recent model. I visited the website of my mobile service provider and tried to choose the Sony Ericsson W850i as an upgrade, but the website would not allow me to continue. I tried selecting the model without logging in as myself and was offered the phone for FREE as a new customer.
Assuming that this was a mistake I telephoned the company, who informed me that I was not entitled to the upgrade because I had not spent enough over the period of my service to qualify. When I suggested that I could cancel my account and register as a new customer they agreed that I could have the mobile for free if I did this. The only difference would be that I would have a different mobile number.
I was prepared to pay a fee to upgrade, or even choose a slightly higher monthly package, but the answer was simply NO. Despite this I can register as a new member and even choose a package costing less per month, so where is the logic in this?
4 people like this
3 responses
@kgwat70 (13387)
• United States
12 Feb 07
It seems to me there is no logic with that particular company. I am surprised that they turned you down for an upgrade, though you were willing to pay the fee and a higher monthly package. I thought cell phone companies were looking to make more money and not lose money or customers. I am due for a discounted upgrade in a couple months or a free upgrade this summer and will just wait and avoid problems with my company that you had.
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
12 Feb 07
I was due for an upgrade myself since my contract had expired a couple of months ago. The problem appears to be that I have not spent enough money during the period, which I was not previously aware would be taken into account. They did offer me a new phone, but it was not as good as the one that I have at present.
1 person likes this
@kgwat70 (13387)
• United States
12 Feb 07
That is odd that you have to spend a certain amount of money to get an upgraded phone. I have not heard of that before and I know my company does not do that. I pay my regular monthly dues since I do not go over my minutes and then I get a free upgrade this summer.
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
14 Feb 07
The strange thing is that I would have had to pay £180 to upgrade to my second choice of mobile, whereas by cancelling my account and registering again I will receive my first choice totally free.
I will end up with a new number, but I will accpet this rather than pay silly money.
@isasice (2015)
• Iceland
13 Feb 07
If you find a phone company that makes any sense, let me know!
We don't get free phones or the chance to upgrade them here so we just have to pay the full price for our phones.
I have checked out some phones in the UK but they are usually a lot more expensive there than they are in Iceland, probably to trick the customers into signing up for services they wouldn't sign up for otherwise.
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
13 Feb 07
The cost is quite reasonable unless you try to buy a mobile phone without a contract, in which case you will pay several hundred pounds for a decent model.
I will be taking a new contract for £30 per month which will last for 18 months. I shall receive a Sony Ericsson W850i mobile phone and 325 minutes of calls per month to any number plus 450 minutes of calls to a landline, so for my £30 I can use the phone quite regular. The only downside is that I shall have a new mobile number, but that is better than paying silly money for a new mobile.
