Contract with Aerial Direct

[pablomakaveli]

I discovered today that my business contract is with Aerial Direct and not O2 as I had previously believed. After reading a few threads about them I'm now aware of their reputation but am a bit concerned. My contract is up in a few months and I'm a bit worried they'll try pull something. Will they honour the fact the contract is expired or will they attempt to auto renew or something like that?

I had a phone call from them today and spoke to the woman about an upgrade. I didn't agree to anything so she said she'd email me an offer (which I haven't gotten) and ring me back next week. I plan to tell them to get stuffed when they ring back but as I said I'm worried they might try and keep me contracted somehow.

I appreciate this is my own fault. They rang me just before my contract expired a couple of years ago and offered me a sim only deal which I accepted. I was under the false impression that they were like a call centre contracted to handle O2's business accounts. I don't recall them every mentioning that my contract would be switched from O2 to them so I feel I was misled somewhat.

Any advice on how to deal with them would be appreciated.

[MI5 · Accepted solution]

Stand firm and give notice that you wish to cancel your contract.
Ask for your PAC and use it, even if you just move it to a PAYG sim in the interim whilst you decide what to do about another contract. Using the PAC will guarantee the contract is cancelled.
Put everything in writing and keep copies.
The advice on this thread is for O2 but the same principles apply https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Pay-Monthly-and-Pay-Go/Cancelling-Your-Contract-A-Guide/m-p/566774/hig...

[pablomakaveli]

Thank you. I'm guessing I should request the PAC code shortly before the contract ends. I'd imagine Aerial will try to charge me for the remaining 5 months of the contract if I request it too early?

Can I request the PAC code in writing? From reading previous threads it seems that they can be a bit unreliable in answering call back requests.

[MI5]

Personally I would put it in writing and call them myself.
Your PAC is valid for 30 days, so if you request it in your last month you will be OK to use it a couple of days before the end of your contract date.

[pablomakaveli]

Great. Thanks very much MI5. That advice is very much appreciated. Hopefully I'll be free from that lot in a few months.

[MI5]

Best of luck mate

[EmilieT]

Let us know how you get on with this @pablomakaveli  If other members run into the same issue your updates on this will be very helpful!

[Peterturbed]

It seems like they are a bunch of chancers to me. O2 transferred the business account. They have not provided any handset, provide no services, yet are chargng for it. They have also let me know they are expecting £300 to buy myself out of the contract.

I will be reporting these fraudsters and O2 to the Ombudsman over the cavalier way they do business. It's gouging at best, fraud at worst.

[BooC]

I have been with 02 for years and one day had a call to say Ariel Direct had taken over the management.

To be fair they have been ok but my contract has expired.

I have gone back to 02 and asked for a new sim only deal. I have spent all morning trying to sort and at last the chat line told me i'd be best talking to someone for the best discount. I told him every single number directs me to Ariel Direct and lo the last number i've been given does exactly the same. Do 02 even want the business????  I've been a loyal client for years. Maybe I'll move to a company who will talk to me like im not a complete idiot.

[Oxonian]

Any ideas what has happened to today's post anyone - 8 May 2024 at 17.12 ?