T-Mobile no longer offers upgrades?

[Guest tsutton]

Was in another forum, where I came across this post:

"Called T-mobile about my upgrade which is due in 2 weeks and since the 1st October they no-longer do upgrades. They now only do downgrades for existing customers."

I didn't know about this... anyone know if this is true?

[Guest Damiantmc]

No thats not true at all, Imagine all the customers they'd lose aswell. Thats very strange they would say that but I know in a T-mobile retail store that I work in I alone have done 9 upgrades since the 1st so they definetly haven't stopped doing them. Maybe call in to a local store instead?

Damian

[Guest tsutton]

Thanks, that's good to know. I guess he has been misinformed.

[Guest awarner (MVP)]

Presumably this is regarding handsets? Who in their right mind would want to downgrade a handset? I can understand cutting back call plans but handsets? that would just be stupid unless they were completely technophobic.

[Guest Chaser81]

This may be a reference to the fact that on upgrade, people dont tend to get as good a deal on the handset as they would if they were a new customer. In fact, unless you are on a higher tariff, or are particularly good at dealing with the network and haggling, then you may find that the only handsets free on an upgrade are those that are either lower in spec or older than the phone you have currently! Could be considered a downgrade I would say! The latest and most highly specced phones are rarely free on upgrade unless you spend a lot of money with the network.

[Guest tsutton]

I am on the lowest Flext package (Flext 25) with T-Mobile and I have always been offer a great deal on mobile phones (i.e. the MDA Vario III was offered to me at £49.99)

A month or two back, they cold called me and offered me a free phone of my choice if I switch to Flext 30 package.

I think I'll wait until my contract expires then find out what they are going to offer me. ;)

[Guest Confucious]

Cold calling is unlikely to be from T-Mobile. More likely from a reseller and I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw them!

[Guest tsutton]

I did check and it was confirmed that it came from T-Mobile.

[Guest Confucious]

Very surprising! But good for you. I didn't think they called you until your contract had expired - how long have you got to run?

[Guest tsutton]

About 7 months left or so (am on 18 months contract)

[Guest Confucious]

Very strange they contacted you with so long to go! Mine runs out in April, as I'm getting my iPhone tomorrow I shouldn't need a new phone, I wonder if they can better the deal I'm on!

[Guest tsutton]

Could it be that I have been with T-Mobile for a long time? I think it's coming up to 4 years or so.

Either way, I'm happy anyway. ;)

[Guest Confucious]

Glad you're happy - I'm very happy with the price I got when my last contract ran out and I didn't want an upgrade.

Still very happy with T-Mob ;)

[Guest Abu Tech]

I also heard this report from a couple of friends that advised me about upgrade values being drastically reduced from October the 1st. I upgraded on October the 6th and can confirm that I got a very good upgrade offer. A free MDA Compact 4 on Flext 35. I have always paid half price for my line rental as I receive an employee discount from a family member that was previously employed at T-Mobile and applied the discount at the time of my connection. My call spend is very low and very rarely if ever go above my free allowance and in general, those with employee discount on their line rental usually do not get as good a deal as those who play the full amount for line rental.

Also on another note, I could be wrong as far as I am ware T=Mobile generaly do not cold call to offer an upgrade. This is usually a third party company trying to muscle in and get you to upgrade through them. I have had cold calls offering me upgrade deals as I approached my upgrade date and the callers often claimed to be from T-Mobile but when I further questioned them on being from T-Mobile they either hung up or failed answer my questions. If the callers are officially from T-Mobile simply ask them to put a note on your account of any offer of upgrade and then call upgrades via 150 on your mobile and check if the offer is showing on your notes.

Another funny thing is when I use to work for Orange a while back and had a company phone and received cold calls from advisors claiming to be from Orange offering a “FREE UPGRADE”, when I advised them I was an Orange employee and I don’t receive a bill for this phone and it’s not on a personal contract they generally stuttered apologised and quickly hung up!

Edited October 8, 2008 by Abu Tech

[Guest jsjazz999]

Just had the same experience. I am on Flext25 with a 25% discount, contract now up. Rang T-mobile, was told "due to a change in terms and conditions" they are not offering upgrades. This may change in a few months but no promises. The rep suggested it may be because I was on a low tariff.

It seems if you are not paying them enough they won't upgrade you, but will offer to move you to a new contract. I have been offered a further discount of £5 per month for the next few months. I have 2 contracts with t-mobile- this is not the best way way to retain customers!

[Guest tsutton]

Hmm, doesn't look good then. Will wait & see when I'm due to renew my contract.

Keep it coming, people. And thanks for your comments.

[Guest ndryer]

just got the same rubbish as jsjazz999

I also have 2 contacts (Flext 25 & 35 without discounts). I enquired in store today about upgrading the Flext 25 account, and they had nothing good to offer exept £5 a month off for 6 months.

I could have had the Compact IV initially for £239.99, but when they phoned head office, there was a "£79.99 Premium" to pay on top. The guy in the shop recommened I cancel and move my number to a PAYG sim card on another network, and the move it back to them as a new contact... What a joke. They said their would be offers available in december and to try again then!

[Guest neotarum]

Hi guys and gals

I'm afraid same problem here.

I am on Flext 35, on half price line rental if I upgrade for life.

I have been dying to get the MDA Compact 4 after my 18 month upgrade - was due to end 10th October.

The offers I received were in this order:

£185 - 150

£135 - Shop

£235 - 150 - This was after completion of my contract term!! Like above, this included 75 or 79 premium!!

I know I get a good deal with half price, but it's not like I use all my minutes...(well, now I do! :lol:

I was given the MDA Compact 3, eighteen months ago for free as I upgraded to Flext 35.

Now seems like a joke!

I will wait until Jan then decide..if not happy I will leave the company..?

OR

Should I?

As I get half price life rental for life as long as I upgrade..

Would they end up giving me no upgrades? If that's the case, should I rather change network (or get a new line) and get top of the range phones..?

What's funny, as stated above is that my friend was given free Omnia, most likely at end of September, and he was on Flext25, spending £5 more each month!!

Thanks for "listening" - had to get it off my chest as I am very annoyed with their decision..

All the best!

PS I have also been with them for over three years now and this is no way to be treated, even though I do spend less than £20 a month..