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Credit Rating
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[Deleted User]
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I tried to open a new contract with Orange but I was refused because of my 'credit rating,' which is bizarre because, well, I have never had any problems with it ever before. I have also been on contracts with first T-Mobile then O2 over the past four years or so. I have paid to get a credit check report but the only thing I possibly think can be causing the problem is this, and I'd be interested to hear people's thoughts on this:
Last year, instead of an upgrade, O2 gave me a large account credit to stay with them (about £150?) thus meaning that I did not have to pay several month's bills as the credit covered them. On file, could this look like I failed to pay those bills, thus my problems now trying to take out a new contract?
I have never had debt problems, haven't moved house recently etc. so I have no idea what has made this "rating" low (unless perhaps what I described above). Also, maddeningly, I expect my three attempts to take out a contract (two online and one with a greasy bloke in a polyester suit in an Orange store) will stack up against me now in a downward-spiral effect. :mad:
Maybe I should just take another year with O2, get a free upgrade handset of as high as possible value, sell in on eBay and then buy the phone I want (which O2 only offer as an upgrade for a rubbish deal) sim-free...
Also.. is Orange a bad network? Much difference between Orange and O2 in terms of customer service etc? Thanks
Last year, instead of an upgrade, O2 gave me a large account credit to stay with them (about £150?) thus meaning that I did not have to pay several month's bills as the credit covered them. On file, could this look like I failed to pay those bills, thus my problems now trying to take out a new contract?
I have never had debt problems, haven't moved house recently etc. so I have no idea what has made this "rating" low (unless perhaps what I described above). Also, maddeningly, I expect my three attempts to take out a contract (two online and one with a greasy bloke in a polyester suit in an Orange store) will stack up against me now in a downward-spiral effect. :mad:
Maybe I should just take another year with O2, get a free upgrade handset of as high as possible value, sell in on eBay and then buy the phone I want (which O2 only offer as an upgrade for a rubbish deal) sim-free...
Also.. is Orange a bad network? Much difference between Orange and O2 in terms of customer service etc? Thanks
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Comments
I would be inclined to say that Orange are not desparate for customers at the min so they have highered their credit requirements.
I work for a popular high street phone retailer at their head office and they have stopped selling orange for the meantime as they have met their monthly target.
They do that in case you default on a bill.
Its so that they still get your custom but they r taking a gamble.
The retailers would not get paid.
For example orange would pay phones4u £1000 for £1000 new customers. Once that target was acheived, orange would pay no more so p4u would be giving you a phone and paying the advisor commission without getting their commission in return.
They would in effect make a huge loss by connecting you.
If it was Orange direct, I have no idea why they refused you. They are reasonably lenient with their scoring process.
Vodafone is by far the most stringent, three are by far the easiest network to join, for obvious reasons lol
They weren't at all keen in the shop though.. they didn't say 'come and try again', they didn't recommend trying to find out what the problem was, they didn't try and sell me a PAYG mobile instead or anything.
The system seems to have changed too: once you needed ID, like a passport and utility bills, and someone in the shop made the final decision. Now Orange didn't want any ID, and the shop staff couldn't make a decision about whether or not to sell me a contract, they had to ring someone/a computer person.