10-08-2022 09:41 - edited 03-08-2023 10:01
10-08-2022 09:41 - edited 03-08-2023 10:01
Hello everyone. As previously announced, we're making some changes to O2 Switch Up from 3 August 2023 and I've done a complete overhaul of this thread to bring it up-to-date. We're making this change so we can continue to offer a market leading proposition where customers can continue to get the latest and greatest phone, or one they’ve been eyeing up for a while, every 90 days.
What is O2 Switch Up?
With O2 Switch Up, you can swap your current phone for a new one every 90 days, as long as it meets our grading criteria. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve got left on your current contract – we’ll pay it off for you. Each time you use O2 Switch Up, the 90 days restart and you can then Switch Up again at the end of that period.
How can I get Switch Up?
You can get Switch Up by heading in store, online or by calling us on 0808 002 0202. You’ll need to take out or upgrade to a new Plus Plan, which includes Switch Up at no extra cost.
When you're ready to Switch Up, find out what condition your device needs to be in.
ℹ️ We no longer offer the O2 Switch Up Bolt On for Custom Plans. O2 Switch Up is only available on our Plus Plans
How does O2 Switch Up work?
Once you’ve got Switch Up, you’ll need to head to an O2 store and hand back your current phone, which we’ll check over to make sure it’s in good enough nick. If it is, you won’t have to pay off any outstanding costs on your current contract – we’ll settle things for you. We’ll then start you on a new Plus Plan or custom plan for whichever new phone you pick.
This sounds different to what I’m used to. What’s changing?
From 3 August 2023 we’re changing the O2 Switch Up T&Cs, so customers will be able to swap their current phone for a new one every 90 days. Customers will still get O2 Switch Up at no extra cost when they take out or upgrade to a Plus Plan.
If you got O2 Switch Up before 3 August 2023 as part of a Plus Plan tariff you can continue to swap your phone whenever you like.
We have also removed the O2 Switch Up Bolt On for Custom Plans. Customers who already have the O2 Switch Up Bolt On via a Custom Plan will still be able to swap to a new phone whenever they like, one last time. However, when redeeming, you'll need to upgrade to a Plus Plan if you want to keep O2 Switch Up. You'll be put on our new 90 day Switch Up T&Cs.
Unsure which customer scenario you fit into?
No problem, we'll help clear this up for you:
Switch Up Q&A’s
I've included below some of our top Q&A’s, but we have even more details, info, questions and answers for O2 Switch Up here on our website, so please check it out.
Q. What’s O2 Switch Up?
A. With O2 Switch Up, you can swap your current phone for a new one every 90 days (as long as it’s in good condition).
Q. What do I have to buy to get Switch Up?
A. To get Switch Up, you need to take out a Plus Plan with whichever phone you want. It’s not compatible with laptops, tablets, smartwatches or any other connected devices.
Q. Where can I swap my phone?
A. Head to any O2 store to swap your current phone for a new one. You can find your nearest store by heading to o2.co.uk/storelocator.
Q. Are there any restrictions?
A. You need to be on a Plus Plan. Your current phone also needs to be in good enough nick – meeting our grading criteria – and your O2 account can’t be in arrears. Upgrades may be subject to passing a credit/fraud check.
Q. What happens to my old phone?
A. To do our bit for the planet, we take back your old phone and refurbish it, wiping any data before we sell it on to someone as one of our Like New phones.
Q. When I use Switch Up, can I take advantage of the Enhanced O2 Recycle Payment as well?
A. No. You have two options to choose from once you’re ready to upgrade:
A. There’s no need - you’ll automatically get O2 Switch Up as part of a Plus Plan when you first take it out. If you’re not on a Plus Plan but want O2 Switch Up as a benefit, you can upgrade early by paying off your remaining balance and starting a new Plus Plan.
Q. Where can I find Terms and Conditions for O2 Switch Up?
A. If you started a Plus Plan tariff from 3 August 2023:
O2 Switch Up terms and conditions (from 3 August 2023 onwards)
If you got O2 Switch Up before 3 August 2023 as part of a Plus Plan tariff or as a chargeable Bolt On:
O2 Switch Up terms and conditions (11 August 2022 to 2 August 2023)
Q. How many times can I use Switch Up?
A. Once you’ve got Switch Up as part of your Plus Plan, you can swap your phone for any of the latest and greatest, or for one you’ve been eyeing up for a while, every 90 days. It doesn't matter how long you've got left on your current contract – we'll pay it off for you. You just need to make sure your current phone meets our grading criteria.
Q. What if I change my mind and want my old phone back?
A. We can’t give your old phone back once you’ve swapped it for a new one, as we’ll have already started to refurbish it as one of our Like New phones. The good news is, as long as you’re still on a Plus Plan, you're free to swap to a new phone every 90 days.
Q. What happens if I want to keep my phone but change my plan?
A. If you move from a Plus Plan to any other custom plan, without swapping your phone for a new one, you’ll lose O2 Switch Up as a benefit. If you move from your existing Plus Plan to another Plus Plan, you’ll keep O2 Switch Up as normal.
Q. What happens if my phone doesn’t meet the grading criteria?
A. We can’t accept and take back any phones that don’t meet our grading criteria. You do, however, have four alternative options:
Got any other questions?
If you’ve got any other questions please check the above Q&A's out first as there’s a good chance your question is already answered there. We've also got loads more Q&A's here.
If you’ve got a question about something else relating to Switch Up, let us know in the comments and myself or one of our knowledgeable members will do our best to help.
INFO: This thread has been updated from its original announcement. To see the original thread, click below. More info
So, you saw the title and you’re thinking “that’s too good to be true… gotta be clickbait, right?”. Well, you’re right. It is too good to be true, and yet somehow, it is!
First of all, a quick recap of O2 Custom Plans. A Custom Plan gives you the ability to choose your own contract length from 3 to 36 months, and also lets you fine-tune how much data you need each month. With a Custom Plan, you can already upgrade at any point by simply paying off the remainder of your device plan.
Gareth Turpin, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Media O2 said: Switch Up Q&A’s
More info
How does Switch Up work?
What happens to my old phone? Got any other questions? |
on 03-10-2023 09:27
on 03-10-2023 09:27
If you follow up my thread you will see that I have taken matter in my own hands. In my case I have exhausted all resources at O2 level. It may not be for everyone but I have the time and the human resources to hold O2 accountable for breaching the consumer right act 2015. I have reported these practices to both the trading standards authority and the Ombudsman I will post their findings here at the resolution end. You can try going around different O2 stores perhaps you may find one with Switch up knowledgeable and functional.
on 03-10-2023 09:31
on 03-10-2023 09:31
I hope you get far enough with it. From what I've read, many of these refusals to switch up are a violation of their T&C's.
Keep us updated.
on 03-10-2023 18:47
on 03-10-2023 18:47
on 04-10-2023 17:51
What the hell is going on with O2? I went to preorder the Pixel 8 Pro today and it turns out that as part of being shuffled onto the 'new system', my Plus Plan anytime switch up has quietly been moved to a custom plan and the store is telling me I'm now on the 90 day terms. This os a backtrack from what i was told when i almost bought an iphone 15, where I was told I'd stay on my anytime terms.
It seems like every store still has a different interpretation and I'm now angry that my old system plus plan has changed to a new system custom plan.
My partner is still on the old system and her contract details still say plus plan with Switch up. Mine doesn't even mention Switch up.
Anytime switch up was a a great feature and while I haven't abused it, I did like peace of mind that I could change whenever. I didn't agree to these new terms.
I might just leave O2 if this is how they want to behave. @Dave-O2 @Chris_K can someone please get everyone in your business on the same page? I and many others feel like we've been screwed over here.
on 04-10-2023 18:38
on 04-10-2023 18:38
I beg to differ. It is quite malicious when, even the complaint team is getting it the wrong way: Sending a final decision letter to be forwarded to the Ombudsman. How incompetent...?!
on 04-10-2023 18:49
on 04-10-2023 18:49
I totally relate to your frustration, I am even considering taking legal action and exposing the rulling on this thread; I have all the time in the world. Doesn't matter how big your entreprise is, no establishment is above the law. After ending in a dead spot with the complaint team and having @Dave-O2 not responding to my messages we must agree that the issue is deeper than it seems to be.
on 04-10-2023 19:13
on 04-10-2023 19:13
It certainly seems like they're sneakily putting people on the new terms as part of this system migration.
I'll probably only ever change twice a year but it's the principle - I signed up to anytime terms. All my contract agreements have said "Q3 2022 Switch Up FOC" which confirms it's not a bolt on.
If I'd have tried the iPhone I'd have unknowingly ended up on the 90 day terms and then be blocked from switching to the P8P. Dodged a bullet there.
I hope you find some progress in exposing the mis-selling and misleading practices. I'm inclined to file a formal complaint myself as the whole thing is so shady and confusing.
04-10-2023 20:22 - edited 04-10-2023 20:23
04-10-2023 20:22 - edited 04-10-2023 20:23
on 05-10-2023 10:13
on 05-10-2023 10:13
Good Morning @Rob_83
So I can check the latest on this, I'll follow up shortly and drop you a PM.
on 19-10-2023 15:26
Hi All - I've asked this elsewhere but maybe if more eyes are looking at it here.
Are we absolutely sure that we can hand a "replaced" phone back in?
So if I need to hand my pixel fold back in, am i okay to use the O2 insurance to get a replacement device and hand that back in instead? provided it is same make and model?
Thanks,
Ash