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.
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.

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
... Perhaps because it's Sunday they couldn't check the details properly... but I'm just guessing, I really don't know.