Switch Up Changes

[madasaf1sh]

@Dave-O2 

Can we get some confirmation on the changes to Switch Up that we have seen from emails that some have received. 

As Im confused, as many others are...

Scenario 1

I switch up on the 1st November 2025, which means I am bound by the 90days rules as is advertised, so can switch up again on the 1st February 2026, after which it is changed to 11 months (which to be honest is poop)

or is it

Scenario 2

I switch up on the 1st November, but then cant switch up again till the 1st October 2026 as this is the 11 month change, 

This might help us all get our heads around this very poor customer change... and although we understand some customer abuse it, why not just get rid of it and call it a 12 month contract...

[pgn]

It's worse than that, @Wiselysilent - it's 11 months 🤯

[madasaf1sh]

@Wiselysilent 

Blame over customers who have abused the system, and hence we all suffer..  and 11months is designed to stop this.. 

And this will stop those using switchup to save a few quid a month and changing to the same phone, which is not in the spirit of t&c's

[NetworkNorm]

Would love to know more about how it's been spoilt by the minority / why it's been done? Can you share any more of the insight? 

[garetc]

There have been instances of people switching up to the same handset with the intention of manipulating tariff costs and switching up just to get free gifts. It used to be anytime switch up, but they changed it to 90 days for the same reason.

It led to O2 putting in the line:  if they suspect people are abusing it, they could stop switch up for them. 

It was a very generous scheme. I think they should have kept existing customers on it until they next switched up. Would have been less bad press. Anyone abusing the system would move to the 11 months anyway.

[madasaf1sh]

@NetworkNorm 

Exactly as said by @garetc people upgrading to the same phone to save a couple of quid or get the free gift.. 

I will agree it is a good scheme, and always has been,but they might as well now just sell it as a 12month contract

[Enlli]

I remember when it was first introduced people swapping headsets every couple of weeks just to try out the latest model.

[maverick110385]

I place much of the blame on the O2 staff for this.

When I did my second-to-last Switch Up in April, both the assistant manager and the store manager were openly saying they do their own Switch Ups every six months — taking advantage of O2’s ‘6 months free line rental’ offer — and that they usually upgrade to the same phone models rather than the newest ones.

[garetc]

I don't think a few store staff are singlehandedly responsible for this.

A few store staff taking advantage will be the tip of the iceberg.

[madasaf1sh]

Most store staff are not this stupid, and most use the staff discount to better effect, so very much doubt its store staff causing this change.. 

The great general public is to blame for this and abusing the system, to think they have beaten o2, when in fact they have screwed it up for themselves and other customers...

[maverick110385]

Debatable — I'm sharing my experience with two managers from a store who were openly discussing this offer, and it sure caught the attention of a few customers. I have also had conversations with advisors from the call centre about the exact promotion over the last 6 months, and they have also admitted to doing the same...