Downgrading Tariff

[Anonymous]

Why can't we downgrade our tariff? Surely this is unfair to lock your customers in? It's unethical!! If this is the case I'm leaving O2

[jonsie]

There is nothing at all unethical about it.....

[MI5]

I agree but the op thinks otherwise.

[StillHuman]

Everyone on this post is basically quoting legal T&Cs and saying they can't be changed so it's too bad. 

BUT because O2 do allow you to break those original T&Cs that you signed up for to upgrade (ie pay them more) during the contractual term, then they are legally setting the precedent that their contracts can be changed if circumstances change in their favour (ie you need more data).

So to prevent a customer from changing down a tariff is not a legal problem (already allowed, as already discussed), it's a corporate greed one.

And that is unethical. It's probably not limited to O2 either (but I don't know).

So maybe Martin Lewis could take this one up on behalf of consumers....

[jonsie]

Some new contracts do now allow you to change down but as you point out, people are quoting terms and conditions. What you need to realise, that as a customer, you would have read AND agreed to these terms and conditions when you signed the contract........wouldn't you?

Nothing unethical or illegal. 

[madasaf1sh]

Of course a company will let you spend more money, they would be daft not too.. 

The T&C's are quite clear:

(c) Subject to paragraph 1.5 (f) of these Tariff Terms, You can request a transfer to a new monthly airtime tariff with a new Monthly Subscription Charge by logging into My O2, calling customer services or in an O2 shop. Unless you’re on a flexible tariff, during your Minimum Period you can only transfer to an airtime tariff with the same or higher Monthly Subscription Charge than the one you signed up with. If you want to move to an airtime tariff with a lower Monthly Subscription Charge you will need to cancel your Services Agreement for which a fee may apply (see Paragraph 8 of your Services Agreement), and take out a new Agreement.

So you can move to a new lower tariff, but you have to cancel and start again... 

All mobile networks operate in the same way in this day and age... 

[MI5]

Details here of the new flexible tariffs
https://www.o2.co.uk/refresh/flexible-tariffs

[Cleoriff]

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@MI5wrote:
Details here of the new flexible tariffs
https://www.o2.co.uk/refresh/flexible-tariffs

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The new Flexible tariffs sound good but they do come with a catch...

If you move to a lower tariff, you could lose some of your benefits, even if you later move back to a higher tariff. This means you may no longer be eligible for Yearly Upgrade Programme, or either Free Screen Replacement or Loss and Theft Cover, if they apply to your account.

[Cleoriff]

Also they should probably be added to the Guide to Refresh?

[MI5]

Yes, would bea good place to reference it.