O2 or Aerial - who am I with? and why has my phone stopped working when I tried to ask O2 online?

[Anonymous]

My 02 contract was up for renewal and someone claiming to be from 02 phoned and offered me a new deal for 24 months. My contract now seems to be with Aerial but my bank Direct Debit is still with 02. Are they a bonafide company? Today they (Aerial) sent me a letter saying I'm due a monthly refund for not getting a new phone, and want my bank details including account no and sort code. Is this all OK? I tried getting help with an O2 online advisor but they couldn't help me and now my mobile phone has stopped working. Screen looks fine but I cannot send or receive calls or texts since asking for help!!!

[MI5]

It's a shame that nothing is been done about Aerial.....
All we can do is keep the warnings alive on here and hope it's not too late for some customers......

[adamtemp64]

@MI5 I have tweeted about this to @Anonymous and @o2businessuk

[Anonymous]

Thank you Adam I appreciate it. I will keep you informed, as far as I know for now it has been resolved (though obviously not the right way). But I will need to keep an eye on my accounts as I said. If I find anything debited I will let you know.

[Toby]

Hi AngeliqueA,
If they have confirmed the cancellation, it shouldn't be an issue for you but do let me know if this turns out to be not the case.

By the way everyone, @mentions are not always the most effective way of getting my attention, so please send me a PM

[adamtemp64]

@Toby I only used a mention as it looked like issue resolved I would have pm if it was like the previous issue . But this still raises serious concernce about this so called centre of excellance !

[Anonymous]

When do I know what date my contact runs out

[MI5]

Log into "My O2" (at the top of the page) and it will tell you in there.

[Anonymous]

Hi folks - I am sorry but the spectre of Aerial Direct rears it's ugly head again.

My story is slightly different to the others in that I am a Vodafone customer who was approached by Aerial Direct who somehow knew my contract was nearing to an end and were asking if I would be interested in an upgrade package or an improvement on my monthly bill. How they had this information I do not know as Vodafone themselves said they would not give this out to third parties. Clearly there is a leak in the system somewhere.

After hearing the sales pitch I was offered several ways to reduce my bill by Aerial Direct, the cheapest being £23 month if I switched to O2 although there was a ever so slightly more expensive one for Vodafone. At this point I thought Aerial Direct was working for both companies rather than Aerial being a retailer partner for O2. I plumped for the cheapest option and was read my T&Cs and I provided my bank details. Apparently this was a verbal agreement contract and would be held for 24 months. In my mind I felt I had a cooling off period wich is an industry standard. Like the previous person in this long conversation I thought that if I didn't return the email signature then the contract would not start. Now I know there is not.

After coming off the phone I thought I would call Vodafone to cancel my contract there and then it dawned on me that I hadn't been speaking to O2 directly and I may have been duped. Reading the earlier comments on this topic in this forum they do not seem to be a decent outfit at all. Now I feel trapped and so I am asking is there any way out of my dilemma without having to go through the 2 year contract? It seems that people did get help and did get out. Can I ask how they did that, who they spoke to? I just feel so stupid for getting carried away. Its not that I have anything against O2 but I am about to lose 15 years of relationship with Vodafone and I just think Aerail Direct should not be getting away with this hard sell, cold calling tactics.

I hope that I can get some good advice here soon.

[jonsie]

These links may help.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=4450203

http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/action/how-to-complain-if-youve-been-misled-by-your-mobile-pr...

[MI5]

Apart from any potential help from the Community Coordinators on here I would also speak to Vodafone and explain what has happened and see if they can step in on your behalf too......