o2 voicemail, and uncompetitive prices

[Anonymous]

hello all

Today i spoke to an operator on live chat called Paul. i asked him whether there was a cheaper option than the £20 p/m pay and go go go plan as all i needed was the £10 a month pay and go go go plan.

I have been with o2 for several years and have the maximum on o2 £10p/m 150 mins, unlimited texts and 500mb of data. i moved to the £20 p/m tarrif last month as i found i am using more and more data with my iphone 5 and 1gb is perfect for my needs

I told paul that giffgaff (who incidentally run on the o2 network) offer for £10 a month 500 mins 1GB data and unlimited texts messages, and is there any chance they can offer anywhere near this? he then quite abrubtly told me that they do not compare any other operators deals and gave me a link to the pay and go go go plan deals (which i obviously already knew). and ended our conversation.

I can't even access my voicemails unless i top up more every month..... how is this acceptable? i try ringing and it keeps saying you need to top up despite having plenty of mins inside my balance.

is this true? do all people trying to get a better deal get treated as abrubtly as i have done here? i have an unlocked iphone 5 and it would be simple for me to move to another network, the only reason i want to stay with o2 is because i have always used them, but other networks are offering much better deals these days. for example 3 and giffgaff both offer much cheaper tarrifs. and o2 still do not have 4g enabled.

i am really struggling to find reasons to stay with this company and would appreciate someone from o2 replying to this thread to find out why i cant get a better deal, why i cant get access to my voicemails without topping up more money (isn't £20 p/m enough money?), when 4g is expected to come in and why they employ unhelpful people on the live chat?

thanks for your time and any responses!

stew

[Anonymous]

Hi,

This is essentially a customer to customer forum with mods and a couple of o2 Site staff.

@Toby

@Chiara.

Live chat to be honest are ok for low level general enquires.

We always say phone o2 via 4445 if your on payg as you will get more sense.

Have you thought about a pay monthly contract if voicemail is an issue for you as you dont pay extra on that type of tariff.

Giffgaff are a virtual network and do offer goodybags. The £12 is a nice which gives unlimited data.

Im on the same tariff as you and add a data bolt on if i need more.

It would be nice to have a bigger data allowance as standard but as data is the most expensive part of a network allwance im not sure if that will happen anytime soon.

[jonsie · Accepted solution]

Firstly, if at all possible, you are better speaking to someone in customer service to explore your options. Webchat is ok for general queries but not for account related advice.

It always pays to shop around and go with the tariff or network that suits you not through some misguided sense of loyalty which will not be reciprocated.

Choose wisely and make sure your decided network gives you the same or better coverage than you are now getting. A cheaper tariff is no good if the coverage is poor. Get P&G sims to check this out.

[perksie]

I can't understand why you would phone O2 support and start telling them about GiffGaff tariffs, and expect them to be changed for you?

You must be in credit to call voicemail as it's charged for.

If you're not happy then move to another network that has the prices you like.

[Anonymous]

To add :  If you do decide to move to another Network after following Jonsie's advice about other networks cover ,then dont forget to ask for your PAC Code from o2, which means you can keep your mobile number when you port.

Hope all goes well for you.