the great 18 month contract debate

joe_m · 28-01-2006, 09:58

I was chatting to my mates about these in the pub last night...yes the night out was that boring

anyway, i'm not much of a phone person, i don't care about having the latest model etc so i've got an 18 month contract

they prefare having all the lastest gadgets so they go for 12 month contracts

i think 18 month contracts are better beacuse they seem to have better tarrifs etc

anyone agree?

anyone prefare 18 month of 12 month or wouldn't you touch 18 month contracts with a barge pole

Widdy · 28-01-2006, 10:14

If I remember correctly, years ago when mobile contracts were first sold to the masses, they were all 18 month contracts (although I could be wrong, its a while ago). The networks are not offering these again to offer better value for the customer but to lock you into a contract for another 6 months to make more money.
I was looking for a new mobile a couple of months ago and on one particular site (cant remember which it was, looked at loads), the contract length was not stated until you got to the shopping basket.
Me, I prefer a 12 month contract, but I guess for the sake of saving a couple of quid a month on line rental some will prefer 18.

joe_m · 28-01-2006, 13:05

this debate isn't very great

strawberry66 · 28-01-2006, 23:57

The trouble is that the phone/battery life seems to only last a year

I would rather pay more. and have a new phone every year

superman775 · 29-01-2006, 00:22

i feel i could just about manage 12 months. 18 months wouldnt be able to stand being with the same network. just say if there customer service is verey poor your stuck with it no matter what.

Widdy · 29-01-2006, 10:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by superman775

i feel i could just about manage 12 months. 18 months wouldnt be able to stand being with the same network. just say if there customer service is verey poor your stuck with it no matter what.

Well you can buy yourself out of a contract, which is normally the remaining months at the lowest line rental, but this wpuld be very expensive on an 18 month contract.

I just bought myself out of my Orange contract, their CS is going down the pan, been with them years and have definetly noticed the decline. I am now with Three and beleive it or not an very happy.

muffin789 · 29-01-2006, 10:48

I'm on an 18 month O2 contract, which I wasn't very happy about to be honest. However, when I had my "welcome call" from them, they told me that I'll be eligible for a phone upgrade after 12 months and will be offered the same deals as new customers would get. That sounds fine by me!

Sarah

Praxidike · 29-01-2006, 16:34

I'd rather have my pay as you go and not have to spend £35+ on a phone each month.

But then I text a hell of a lot more than I call people so most of the tariffs are useless to me. In fact, just checked my phone, last time I made an outgoing call was 30th of October.

kev · 29-01-2006, 19:39

When I was upgrading on T-Mobile I nearly ended up going for an 18month (non-self serve) contract - but found out that I could keep my Euro Full Time 200 +90mins +50texts for less than it would cost me to switch. With upgrades being so cheeap on T-Mobile (My D750 cost £20; and if i'd waited a few months the w800i would be free) it easily works out cheaper to stay on my old contract.

One of my collegues is still on a One2One Precept group tarrif which works out more cost effective for him (once he's added some modern GPRS and SMS bundles to it anyway) than any of the modern contracts!

However my main reason for only going with a 12 months contract was down to Orange - there customer service went so far downhill they were somewhere adjecent to hell and I didn't want to be locked to T-Mobile if they went the same way.

upnunder · 30-01-2006, 16:47

18 month contracts were brought back in by the networks as a measure to try and reduce churn.

As the mobile phone market in the uk is approaching saturation, there are not as many new customers around.

When a new network such as 3 came to be, and started trying to "steal" customers from other networks with very attractive tariffs, the other networks needed to try and retain their existing customer base.

As it is so easy to port your number to another network now, instead of upgrading , it is just as easy to move to another network and get a good deal as a new customer.

The networks counter this by offering 18 month contracts with better tariffs for the longer term.

This ensures they keep their customers for 50% longer than they did before.

If you are not particularly bothered about having the latest handset, and your phone is working well, then they are good for you.

If you want the latest product and a new handset every year, then go for a 12 month contract or PAYG.

It is horses for courses really, do whatever suits you.

belfast-biker · 04-02-2006, 19:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by muffin789

I'm on an 18 month O2 contract, which I wasn't very happy about to be honest. However, when I had my "welcome call" from them, they told me that I'll be eligible for a phone upgrade after 12 months and will be offered the same deals as new customers would get. That sounds fine by me!

I sell O2 business contracts myself, and we do 24 month contracts as standard (with twice the minutes for the life of the contract), and offer the same thing, free upgrade after 12 months. Until recently, it used to be after 10 months. Couldn't beat it really - Have yet to sell a 12 month contract on these tariffs!

Personally though, I wouldn't go above 12 months, so I bought my XDA Exec in the O2 shop instead, and got a stupidly high amount of minutes anyhow. I figure I like to replace my handheld/phone every nine months or so.

coopermanyorks · 04-02-2006, 19:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Praxidike

I'd rather have my pay as you go and not have to spend £35+ on a phone each month.

But then I text a hell of a lot more than I call people so most of the tariffs are useless to me. In fact, just checked my phone, last time I made an outgoing call was 30th of October.

Maybe you can spend that amount and then recoup most of it

http://forum.digitalspy.co.uk/board/...d.php?t=339903

castle · 04-02-2006, 20:43

I would take a 18 month contract if it worked out better for me. When I got my last upgrade from Voda they matched their online deal but on a 12 month contract. When it is up for renewal I will either keep my phone and ask for sim only line rental or get upgrade and sell on ebay.

Do the Math for what works out best.

fossman · 04-02-2006, 20:55

I took out an 18 month contract on "3" last April, the phone is pretty crap but the line rental is only £4.99 a month and I get:
500 voice minutes
20 video minutes
100 SMS
20 video messages
+ unlimited free music/sport/news video downloads
+ unlimited free text alerts

28-01-2006, 09:58	#1
joe_m Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Liverpool Posts: 778	the great 18 month contract debate I was chatting to my mates about these in the pub last night...yes the night out was that boring anyway, i'm not much of a phone person, i don't care about having the latest model etc so i've got an 18 month contract they prefare having all the lastest gadgets so they go for 12 month contracts i think 18 month contracts are better beacuse they seem to have better tarrifs etc anyone agree? anyone prefare 18 month of 12 month or wouldn't you touch 18 month contracts with a barge pole

28-01-2006, 10:14	#2
Widdy Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Yorkshire, UK Posts: 1,955	If I remember correctly, years ago when mobile contracts were first sold to the masses, they were all 18 month contracts (although I could be wrong, its a while ago). The networks are not offering these again to offer better value for the customer but to lock you into a contract for another 6 months to make more money. I was looking for a new mobile a couple of months ago and on one particular site (cant remember which it was, looked at loads), the contract length was not stated until you got to the shopping basket. Me, I prefer a 12 month contract, but I guess for the sake of saving a couple of quid a month on line rental some will prefer 18.

28-01-2006, 13:05	#3
joe_m Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Liverpool Posts: 778	this debate isn't very great

28-01-2006, 23:57	#4
strawberry66 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,788	The trouble is that the phone/battery life seems to only last a year I would rather pay more. and have a new phone every year

29-01-2006, 00:22	#5
superman775 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: leicester Posts: 1,943	i feel i could just about manage 12 months. 18 months wouldnt be able to stand being with the same network. just say if there customer service is verey poor your stuck with it no matter what.

29-01-2006, 10:32	#6
Widdy Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Yorkshire, UK Posts: 1,955	Quote: Originally Posted by superman775 i feel i could just about manage 12 months. 18 months wouldnt be able to stand being with the same network. just say if there customer service is verey poor your stuck with it no matter what. Well you can buy yourself out of a contract, which is normally the remaining months at the lowest line rental, but this wpuld be very expensive on an 18 month contract. I just bought myself out of my Orange contract, their CS is going down the pan, been with them years and have definetly noticed the decline. I am now with Three and beleive it or not an very happy.

29-01-2006, 10:48	#7
muffin789 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Devon Posts: 1,608	I'm on an 18 month O2 contract, which I wasn't very happy about to be honest. However, when I had my "welcome call" from them, they told me that I'll be eligible for a phone upgrade after 12 months and will be offered the same deals as new customers would get. That sounds fine by me! Sarah

29-01-2006, 16:34	#8
Praxidike Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 9,103	I'd rather have my pay as you go and not have to spend £35+ on a phone each month. But then I text a hell of a lot more than I call people so most of the tariffs are useless to me. In fact, just checked my phone, last time I made an outgoing call was 30th of October.

29-01-2006, 19:39	#9
kev Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: South Notts (Waltham TV TX) Posts: 20,200	When I was upgrading on T-Mobile I nearly ended up going for an 18month (non-self serve) contract - but found out that I could keep my Euro Full Time 200 +90mins +50texts for less than it would cost me to switch. With upgrades being so cheeap on T-Mobile (My D750 cost £20; and if i'd waited a few months the w800i would be free) it easily works out cheaper to stay on my old contract. One of my collegues is still on a One2One Precept group tarrif which works out more cost effective for him (once he's added some modern GPRS and SMS bundles to it anyway) than any of the modern contracts! However my main reason for only going with a 12 months contract was down to Orange - there customer service went so far downhill they were somewhere adjecent to hell and I didn't want to be locked to T-Mobile if they went the same way.

30-01-2006, 16:47	#10
upnunder Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Derbyshire, Uk Posts: 2,288	18 month contracts were brought back in by the networks as a measure to try and reduce churn. As the mobile phone market in the uk is approaching saturation, there are not as many new customers around. When a new network such as 3 came to be, and started trying to "steal" customers from other networks with very attractive tariffs, the other networks needed to try and retain their existing customer base. As it is so easy to port your number to another network now, instead of upgrading , it is just as easy to move to another network and get a good deal as a new customer. The networks counter this by offering 18 month contracts with better tariffs for the longer term. This ensures they keep their customers for 50% longer than they did before. If you are not particularly bothered about having the latest handset, and your phone is working well, then they are good for you. If you want the latest product and a new handset every year, then go for a 12 month contract or PAYG. It is horses for courses really, do whatever suits you.

04-02-2006, 19:11	#11
belfast-biker Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,115	Quote: Originally Posted by muffin789 I'm on an 18 month O2 contract, which I wasn't very happy about to be honest. However, when I had my "welcome call" from them, they told me that I'll be eligible for a phone upgrade after 12 months and will be offered the same deals as new customers would get. That sounds fine by me! I sell O2 business contracts myself, and we do 24 month contracts as standard (with twice the minutes for the life of the contract), and offer the same thing, free upgrade after 12 months. Until recently, it used to be after 10 months. Couldn't beat it really - Have yet to sell a 12 month contract on these tariffs! Personally though, I wouldn't go above 12 months, so I bought my XDA Exec in the O2 shop instead, and got a stupidly high amount of minutes anyhow. I figure I like to replace my handheld/phone every nine months or so.

04-02-2006, 19:21	#12
coopermanyorks Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: In Gods Own County Posts: 20,678	Quote: Originally Posted by Praxidike I'd rather have my pay as you go and not have to spend £35+ on a phone each month. But then I text a hell of a lot more than I call people so most of the tariffs are useless to me. In fact, just checked my phone, last time I made an outgoing call was 30th of October. Maybe you can spend that amount and then recoup most of it http://forum.digitalspy.co.uk/board/...d.php?t=339903

04-02-2006, 20:43	#13
castle Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: FIfe Posts: 1,192	I would take a 18 month contract if it worked out better for me. When I got my last upgrade from Voda they matched their online deal but on a 12 month contract. When it is up for renewal I will either keep my phone and ask for sim only line rental or get upgrade and sell on ebay. Do the Math for what works out best.

04-02-2006, 20:55	#14
fossman Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Derby Posts: 328	I took out an 18 month contract on "3" last April, the phone is pretty crap but the line rental is only £4.99 a month and I get: 500 voice minutes 20 video minutes 100 SMS 20 video messages + unlimited free music/sport/news video downloads + unlimited free text alerts

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the great 18 month contract debate