I have an 18 month contract with Orange which expires on the 5th August. I currently have the Dolphin package which suits (£35 per month, 600 mins and unlimited texts). To renew with Orange I would obviously like a 'better' deal - well a cheaper one if possible and a decent phone. I've read different articles on how to go about negotiating this but when should I be starting this process - now or after the contract ends? Also I would prefer to keep my number so should I be asking for this PAC thingy (if I transfer networks) or do I have to write to Orange giving 30 days notice even though the contract ends shortly anyway - could I just not cancel my direct debit?

Thanks for any advice..

Hi -- Don't know much about the phone side of your query but you would be wise to honour your contract fully to the end.... as it's such a short time away, then give 30 day written notice sent recorded delivery to coincide 30 days after the date of your contract expiring on 5th Aug then end your direct debit on the correct date.

Some contracts you cannot give notice until the expiry date, so 30 days after the expiry will be the legal way to terminate the contract. ( check your contract )

Don't simply cancel a DD that will place you in breach of your current contract, leaving you vulnerable to legal action.

Giant, I'd start the process now. You have to give 30 days notice (roughly) although you can say that you want it to finish at the end of your agreed contract if you can give about 3 weeks notice. I followed this procedure and would advise the same:

* Call Orange and say you are coming to the end of the contract and ask how they will accept cancellation: over the phone or by letter?; but say you are going to look around for a couple of days first as you have 'seen' various deals and phones at other networks - personally I will never deal with a 3rd party like Carphone Warehouse again.

* Ask for your PAC code as you plan to keep your number if you leave. It is your legal right (I believe) so they cannot deny you this. It expires after 30 days and you dont have to use it if you stay with Orange. This should be given to you over the phone and then confirmed by a letter.

* Start looking around for the phone you want and see which networks offer this - with me, it was only 2 networks - and find a deal that gives you the tariff you want. I, and others on here, would advise away from chequeback/cashback deal as it inevitably leads to hassle and not getting the great deal you expected.

* Using the information you have on the deal and phone you want, phone Orange (use SAY NO TO 0870 website) and say that you are looking to cancel and "What can you offer me to stay?". They'll put you through and offer you something which probably isn't that great. Say you think you can get better elsewhere.

NOW YOU HAVE A CHOICE HERE - follow through and have your contract cancelled at it's expiry if you are sure you can get a better deal elsewhere OR you can play the waiting game for a couple of days - if you want to stay at Orange.

* You should start recieving calls from other networks but more importantly from Orange themselves trying to keep you. This is where you can haggle and get THE best deal (and phone) Orange can offer you. Compare this to other networks and then I'd say to "give me a call after 24 hours as I need to talk to ??? (say a network you are comparing them with) as they offered you a better deal".

* In the next 24 hours call the other relevant networks stating what you have been offered and see if any can better it.

* Orange will call back where you can tell them yes or no. If yes, make sure they waiver any cancellation fee and make sure you know when your new contract starts. If no, make sure your contract is cancelled at expiration and you know when your PAC code will also expire as you want to take your number with you.

That's what I did and I stayed with the network I was on already. I've cut out the middle man now though and pay £10 a month for unlimited texts, 750 mins, a top of the range phone and a contract for only 12 months!

I've spoken to Orange and all they would offer is the same deal for £25.00 per month with a S/E C902 (which is the phone I want) - no additional perks. I mentioned that I would have to think about it as I believed there may be better deals elsewhere and she was quite happy for me to phone back and she would send out PAC by letter (not by phone?) if I decided to leave.

Not very successful then - any further suggestions? Should I go to other networks and say what I have been offered by Orange and if they can beat it?

I'm not overly surprised that you've been offered that amount although it is a saving of £120 p/a. Remember you haven't actually requested to sever ties yet (unless you have and haven't said) and you should have asked for the PAC code now to show you were serious about leaving. When you do cancel, this is when their retention team should start calling you and offer their best deal. Look at the other networks now and deal directly with them in my opinion (either by phone - use the SAY NO TO 0870 website - or go to their websites to look at their offers). Others on here may say that you can get an even better deal with third parties, however you always know where you stand when dealing with the network only.

You are often in a better position being a new customer too - more commission for the salesman for taking you away from a competitor and onto their books - and therefore offered a good deal to start up elsewhere. Do this search relatively quickly as you may want your Orange contract to officially finish on the 5th August and not the 5th September and your time for this is running out = 24-48 hours maximum left.

Well I've just rung Orange back and got a whole different person this time who was extremely helpful and accommodating.

I now have the S/E C902 FOC

700 minutes

u/l texts

u/l internet usage/browsing

8GB memory card

2 extra free sim cards

£15 per month

I feel happier now - thank you for your help Kappo2007

Excellent news!

I would advise getting their offer in writing (by email) if you can. Be careful with the internet usage/browser part - be sure you know what it means exactly, as there have been various people on these threads who have had ambiguous promises/offers with internet usage.

Sounds like you're happy with their offer, which I have to say is much more like it in return for customer loyalty. This should be quite tempting to anyone else reading this to see what they can get.