Upgrade haggling

richclever · 06-10-2015, 10:47

I am due an upgrade on Thursday and was wondering if anyone had any tips for haggling to get the best deal.

I'm currently with EE and have a 32GB iPhone 5c on a £35pm contract. Would like to upgrade to an iPhone 6 really with at least 32GB (think I'm right that they don't come in 32GB so probably a 64GB). I get unlimited calls and texts and a 2GB data allowance at the moment so increased data would be good.

Could move to Android but would rather not as I have an iPhone dock that I use daily.

Basically, how do I get them to offer me a better deal than the norm? Any advice gratefully received.

Stig · 06-10-2015, 11:03

I don't suppose you can afford to buy an iPhone 6 and get a SIM only contract? You save money in the long run.

richclever · 06-10-2015, 11:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stig

I don't suppose you can afford to buy an iPhone 6 and get a SIM only contract? You save money in the long run.

Not really no, staying on contract is my only option at the moment.

Stig · 06-10-2015, 11:37

I had a quick look on uswitch:

Mobile Phones Direct with EE
Apple iPhone 6 64GB Grey
£99.99 upfront
24 month 4G contract Free delivery
£99.99 upfront
Unlimited
minutes Unlimited
texts 4GB
data £34.99
per month

richclever · 06-10-2015, 11:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stig

I had a quick look on uswitch:

Mobile Phones Direct with EE
Apple iPhone 6 64GB Grey
£99.99 upfront
24 month 4G contract Free delivery
£99.99 upfront
Unlimited
minutes Unlimited
texts 4GB
data £34.99
per month

Thanks, completely forgot about uswitch!

finbaar · 06-10-2015, 12:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by richclever

Thanks, completely forgot about uswitch!

Yes, get some example deals together - including other networks - then phone them up and ask for you pac code. Tell them you have seen a good deal somewhere else. They will transfer you to retentions and you can bargain from there.

Have a look on HotUKDeals to see what is about as well. Don't pay to much atention to the temperature of iPhone deals as people tend to vote them cold no matter what.

richclever · 06-10-2015, 13:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by finbaar

Yes, get some example deals together - including other networks - then phone them up and ask for you pac code. Tell them you have seen a good deal somewhere else. They will transfer you to retentions and you can bargain from there.

Have a look on HotUKDeals to see what is about as well. Don't pay to much atention to the temperature of iPhone deals as people tend to vote them cold no matter what.

Nice one! Thanks to both of you! Will call them on Thursday and see what they offer.

ACU · 06-10-2015, 13:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stig

I had a quick look on uswitch:

Mobile Phones Direct with EE
Apple iPhone 6 64GB Grey
£99.99 upfront
24 month 4G contract Free delivery
£99.99 upfront
Unlimited
minutes Unlimited
texts 4GB
data £34.99
per month

£35 a month for 24 months!! thats just crazy. I much prefer to buy my phones then get a sim only contract. Much more flexibility for me and cheaper.

nigelbb · 06-10-2015, 14:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACU

£35 a month for 24 months!! thats just crazy. I much prefer to buy my phones then get a sim only contract. Much more flexibility for me and cheaper.

It depends. Not everybody has the cashflow to sink £500+ into a phone plus the price can actually work out cheaper than buying the phone direct from Apple then adding a SIM-only contract.

The deal quoted (Unlimited minutes & texts + 4GB data) would be £20.99 SIM-only so the phone (which is an iPhone 6 not a 6s) would only cost (£14x24)+£99.99=£435.99 compared to £539 buying direct from Apple i.e. over £100 cheaper. It looks like a bargain to me.

Stig · 06-10-2015, 14:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACU

£35 a month for 24 months!! thats just crazy. I much prefer to buy my phones then get a sim only contract. Much more flexibility for me and cheaper.

See post #2.

tdenson · 06-10-2015, 14:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACU

£35 a month for 24 months!! thats just crazy. I much prefer to buy my phones then get a sim only contract. Much more flexibility for me and cheaper.

I wouldn't call it crazy. That plan with EE is worth about £20 pm if it were SIM only. That means the phone is costing 24*15+99 = £459 which aint bad.

ACU · 06-10-2015, 16:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdenson

I wouldn't call it crazy. That plan with EE is worth about £20 pm if it were SIM only. That means the phone is costing 24*15+99 = £459 which aint bad.

Thats expensive. I am paying £15.99 for unlimited calls and texts, 5GB data. I thought EE were meant to be cheap. For full disclosure purposes, I must admit I have been with vodafone for over 10 years so get a decent discount.

moox · 06-10-2015, 16:46

I'd look at Quidco and see if they have any cashback offers for the network of your choice - unlike some other cashback sites they don't require you to send your 9th, 19th and 23rd bills or other such guff, or for you to dot every I and cross every T to get your money

nigelbb · 06-10-2015, 19:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACU

Thats expensive. I am paying £15.99 for unlimited calls and texts, 5GB data. I thought EE were meant to be cheap. For full disclosure purposes, I must admit I have been with vodafone for over 10 years so get a decent discount.

Vodafone SIM-only price for unlimited calls & texts plus 4GB data is £22 but currently on offer at £19.80 until 12 November.

jchamier · 06-10-2015, 20:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACU

Thats expensive. I am paying £15.99 for unlimited calls and texts, 5GB data. I thought EE were meant to be cheap. For full disclosure purposes, I must admit I have been with vodafone for over 10 years so get a decent discount.

EE never described as cheap, always seen as 'expensive' back in 2012. They are however dramatically better than Vodafone at data across the whole of the UK.
(I have two identical iPhone 6 handsets, one on Vodafone via work, and one on EE personally).

ACU · 07-10-2015, 09:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by jchamier

EE never described as cheap, always seen as 'expensive' back in 2012. They are however dramatically better than Vodafone at data across the whole of the UK.
(I have two identical iPhone 6 handsets, one on Vodafone via work, and one on EE personally).

Thats fine for 2012, however we are in the back end of 2015 now. Since I dont use my phone in the whole of the UK, I am not bothered how they perform in the whole of the UK. I am only bothered about how they work for me where I live and work. I have had no problems with vodafone.

finbaar · 07-10-2015, 12:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACU

Thats fine for 2012, however we are in the back end of 2015 now. Since I dont use my phone in the whole of the UK, I am not bothered how they perform in the whole of the UK. I am only bothered about how they work for me where I live and work. I have had no problems with vodafone.

EE are positioned as a "premium" brand and have the network to back it up, VF are no longer considered a "premium" brand. But if VF works for you that's great (and lucky).

ACU · 07-10-2015, 12:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by finbaar

EE are positioned as a "premium" brand and have the network to back it up, VF are no longer considered a "premium" brand. But if VF works for you that's great (and lucky).

premium brand? Is that because they signals are carried through the airways in metal containers whereas vodafone only use plastic containers?

First I have heard mobile providers described as premium. Yes some providers may offer better signal strength than others in some areas. However as I have said they work for me. I doubt any of the 2.5million subscribers to vodafone would say they are lucky.

d123 · 07-10-2015, 14:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACU

premium brand? Is that because they signals are carried through the airways in metal containers whereas vodafone only use plastic containers?

No, EE transmit their signals wirelessly, and manage to do so with efficiency and excellent speeds, anecdotally most users seem to find Vodafone use a long piece of string and a couple of tin cans

.

corf · 07-10-2015, 14:13

Vodafone seem to have forgotten about anything outside the m25 and now are having to play catch up. if you live in some of the major cities you are ok with 4g but a lot of the country is still only covered by 2g.

ACU · 07-10-2015, 15:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by d123

No, EE transmit their signals wirelessly, and manage to do so with efficiency and excellent speeds, anecdotally most users seem to find Vodafone use a long piece of string and a couple of tin cans

.

Thats not true, Vodafone have given me a couple of carrier pigeons for when I dont get a signal

. Tin cans, thats what 3 use.

Quote:

Originally Posted by corf

Vodafone seem to have forgotten about anything outside the m25 and now are having to play catch up. if you live in some of the major cities you are ok with 4g but a lot of the country is still only covered by 2g.

Since I work and live inside the M25, I am sorted. Incidentally I go to the midlands quite a bit, never had a problem with signal on the drive up or whilst in the Midlands. To be fair I dont know about the 4G signal on the drive up, as I dont tend not to be streaming 4K youtube videos as I drive up. But have taken and made calls as I drive up and down.

enapace · 07-10-2015, 15:27

Joking aside Vodafone's network in some areas really is little better than two tin cans reason they had such high call drops because it was literally that old.

Now that said Vodafone are completely stripping there existing network out so give them some chance to do that. In major cities the experience has come on leaps and bounds rest of country is still lacking.

For the future I would advise anyone to be on Vodafone or EE both are putting in serious investment and have enough capacity for the future.

In regard to OP there is no quick way to do it but it's not just doing your research it's also down to getting connected to the right person.

06-10-2015, 10:47	#1
richclever Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3,287	Upgrade haggling I am due an upgrade on Thursday and was wondering if anyone had any tips for haggling to get the best deal. I'm currently with EE and have a 32GB iPhone 5c on a £35pm contract. Would like to upgrade to an iPhone 6 really with at least 32GB (think I'm right that they don't come in 32GB so probably a 64GB). I get unlimited calls and texts and a 2GB data allowance at the moment so increased data would be good. Could move to Android but would rather not as I have an iPhone dock that I use daily. Basically, how do I get them to offer me a better deal than the norm? Any advice gratefully received.

06-10-2015, 11:03	#2
Stig Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Sandy Heath, Beds. UK Posts: 10,383	I don't suppose you can afford to buy an iPhone 6 and get a SIM only contract? You save money in the long run.

06-10-2015, 11:04	#3
richclever Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3,287	Quote: Originally Posted by Stig I don't suppose you can afford to buy an iPhone 6 and get a SIM only contract? You save money in the long run. Not really no, staying on contract is my only option at the moment.

06-10-2015, 11:37	#4
Stig Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Sandy Heath, Beds. UK Posts: 10,383	I had a quick look on uswitch: Mobile Phones Direct with EE Apple iPhone 6 64GB Grey £99.99 upfront 24 month 4G contract Free delivery £99.99 upfront Unlimited minutes Unlimited texts 4GB data £34.99 per month

06-10-2015, 11:39	#5
richclever Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3,287	Quote: Originally Posted by Stig I had a quick look on uswitch: Mobile Phones Direct with EE Apple iPhone 6 64GB Grey £99.99 upfront 24 month 4G contract Free delivery £99.99 upfront Unlimited minutes Unlimited texts 4GB data £34.99 per month Thanks, completely forgot about uswitch!

06-10-2015, 12:41	#6
finbaar Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3,921	Quote: Originally Posted by richclever Thanks, completely forgot about uswitch! Yes, get some example deals together - including other networks - then phone them up and ask for you pac code. Tell them you have seen a good deal somewhere else. They will transfer you to retentions and you can bargain from there. Have a look on HotUKDeals to see what is about as well. Don't pay to much atention to the temperature of iPhone deals as people tend to vote them cold no matter what.

06-10-2015, 13:08	#7
richclever Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3,287	Quote: Originally Posted by finbaar Yes, get some example deals together - including other networks - then phone them up and ask for you pac code. Tell them you have seen a good deal somewhere else. They will transfer you to retentions and you can bargain from there. Have a look on HotUKDeals to see what is about as well. Don't pay to much atention to the temperature of iPhone deals as people tend to vote them cold no matter what. Nice one! Thanks to both of you! Will call them on Thursday and see what they offer.

06-10-2015, 13:12	#8
ACU Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 7,916	Quote: Originally Posted by Stig I had a quick look on uswitch: Mobile Phones Direct with EE Apple iPhone 6 64GB Grey £99.99 upfront 24 month 4G contract Free delivery £99.99 upfront Unlimited minutes Unlimited texts 4GB data £34.99 per month £35 a month for 24 months!! thats just crazy. I much prefer to buy my phones then get a sim only contract. Much more flexibility for me and cheaper.

06-10-2015, 14:25	#9
nigelbb Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 834	Quote: Originally Posted by ACU £35 a month for 24 months!! thats just crazy. I much prefer to buy my phones then get a sim only contract. Much more flexibility for me and cheaper. It depends. Not everybody has the cashflow to sink £500+ into a phone plus the price can actually work out cheaper than buying the phone direct from Apple then adding a SIM-only contract. The deal quoted (Unlimited minutes & texts + 4GB data) would be £20.99 SIM-only so the phone (which is an iPhone 6 not a 6s) would only cost (£14x24)+£99.99=£435.99 compared to £539 buying direct from Apple i.e. over £100 cheaper. It looks like a bargain to me.

06-10-2015, 14:29	#10
Stig Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Sandy Heath, Beds. UK Posts: 10,383	Quote: Originally Posted by ACU £35 a month for 24 months!! thats just crazy. I much prefer to buy my phones then get a sim only contract. Much more flexibility for me and cheaper. See post #2.

06-10-2015, 14:56	#11
tdenson Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,214	Quote: Originally Posted by ACU £35 a month for 24 months!! thats just crazy. I much prefer to buy my phones then get a sim only contract. Much more flexibility for me and cheaper. I wouldn't call it crazy. That plan with EE is worth about £20 pm if it were SIM only. That means the phone is costing 24*15+99 = £459 which aint bad.

06-10-2015, 16:39	#12
ACU Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 7,916	Quote: Originally Posted by tdenson I wouldn't call it crazy. That plan with EE is worth about £20 pm if it were SIM only. That means the phone is costing 24*15+99 = £459 which aint bad. Thats expensive. I am paying £15.99 for unlimited calls and texts, 5GB data. I thought EE were meant to be cheap. For full disclosure purposes, I must admit I have been with vodafone for over 10 years so get a decent discount.

06-10-2015, 16:46	#13
moox Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 14,645	I'd look at Quidco and see if they have any cashback offers for the network of your choice - unlike some other cashback sites they don't require you to send your 9th, 19th and 23rd bills or other such guff, or for you to dot every I and cross every T to get your money

06-10-2015, 19:41	#14
nigelbb Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 834	Quote: Originally Posted by ACU Thats expensive. I am paying £15.99 for unlimited calls and texts, 5GB data. I thought EE were meant to be cheap. For full disclosure purposes, I must admit I have been with vodafone for over 10 years so get a decent discount. Vodafone SIM-only price for unlimited calls & texts plus 4GB data is £22 but currently on offer at £19.80 until 12 November.

06-10-2015, 20:52	#15
jchamier Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: This forum Posts: 3,392	Quote: Originally Posted by ACU Thats expensive. I am paying £15.99 for unlimited calls and texts, 5GB data. I thought EE were meant to be cheap. For full disclosure purposes, I must admit I have been with vodafone for over 10 years so get a decent discount. EE never described as cheap, always seen as 'expensive' back in 2012. They are however dramatically better than Vodafone at data across the whole of the UK. (I have two identical iPhone 6 handsets, one on Vodafone via work, and one on EE personally).

07-10-2015, 09:01	#16
ACU Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 7,916	Quote: Originally Posted by jchamier EE never described as cheap, always seen as 'expensive' back in 2012. They are however dramatically better than Vodafone at data across the whole of the UK. (I have two identical iPhone 6 handsets, one on Vodafone via work, and one on EE personally). Thats fine for 2012, however we are in the back end of 2015 now. Since I dont use my phone in the whole of the UK, I am not bothered how they perform in the whole of the UK. I am only bothered about how they work for me where I live and work. I have had no problems with vodafone.

07-10-2015, 12:21	#17
finbaar Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3,921	Quote: Originally Posted by ACU Thats fine for 2012, however we are in the back end of 2015 now. Since I dont use my phone in the whole of the UK, I am not bothered how they perform in the whole of the UK. I am only bothered about how they work for me where I live and work. I have had no problems with vodafone. EE are positioned as a "premium" brand and have the network to back it up, VF are no longer considered a "premium" brand. But if VF works for you that's great (and lucky).

07-10-2015, 12:41	#18
ACU Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 7,916	Quote: Originally Posted by finbaar EE are positioned as a "premium" brand and have the network to back it up, VF are no longer considered a "premium" brand. But if VF works for you that's great (and lucky). premium brand? Is that because they signals are carried through the airways in metal containers whereas vodafone only use plastic containers? First I have heard mobile providers described as premium. Yes some providers may offer better signal strength than others in some areas. However as I have said they work for me. I doubt any of the 2.5million subscribers to vodafone would say they are lucky.

07-10-2015, 14:08	#19
d123 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,993	Quote: Originally Posted by ACU premium brand? Is that because they signals are carried through the airways in metal containers whereas vodafone only use plastic containers? No, EE transmit their signals wirelessly, and manage to do so with efficiency and excellent speeds, anecdotally most users seem to find Vodafone use a long piece of string and a couple of tin cans .

07-10-2015, 14:13	#20
corf Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,458	Vodafone seem to have forgotten about anything outside the m25 and now are having to play catch up. if you live in some of the major cities you are ok with 4g but a lot of the country is still only covered by 2g.

07-10-2015, 15:26	#21
ACU Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 7,916	Quote: Originally Posted by d123 No, EE transmit their signals wirelessly, and manage to do so with efficiency and excellent speeds, anecdotally most users seem to find Vodafone use a long piece of string and a couple of tin cans . Thats not true, Vodafone have given me a couple of carrier pigeons for when I dont get a signal . Tin cans, thats what 3 use. Quote: Originally Posted by corf Vodafone seem to have forgotten about anything outside the m25 and now are having to play catch up. if you live in some of the major cities you are ok with 4g but a lot of the country is still only covered by 2g. Since I work and live inside the M25, I am sorted. Incidentally I go to the midlands quite a bit, never had a problem with signal on the drive up or whilst in the Midlands. To be fair I dont know about the 4G signal on the drive up, as I dont tend not to be streaming 4K youtube videos as I drive up. But have taken and made calls as I drive up and down.

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Upgrade haggling

07-10-2015, 15:27	#22
enapace Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 4,249	Joking aside Vodafone's network in some areas really is little better than two tin cans reason they had such high call drops because it was literally that old. Now that said Vodafone are completely stripping there existing network out so give them some chance to do that. In major cities the experience has come on leaps and bounds rest of country is still lacking. For the future I would advise anyone to be on Vodafone or EE both are putting in serious investment and have enough capacity for the future. In regard to OP there is no quick way to do it but it's not just doing your research it's also down to getting connected to the right person.