Cancelling Contract PAC Triangulate?

[New_User5]

Hello all

I have dropped my S7 Edge requiring the screen and glass to be replaced.  I have decided it is not financially viable to fix it and for a similar cost I could get the new.  However if I pay the early upgrade fee of £150 I have to take out a contract directly with Vodafone (as they're the only provider which doesn't allow you to upgrade early with a third party).  This would mean going from a £33 per month contract (on the S7 Edge) to a £46 per month contract for the S8 (with the same data etc).  The route I've decided to take is to buy myself out of my contract for £210 and take out a Vodafone contract through a third party (not sure if I can mention them) which would cost £36 per month for exactly the same contract (saving me £250 or more over the next 2 years).

Now the trouble I've got is that I've been told I cannot cancel my contract with Vodafone and move my number to the new Vodafone contract, I can only do this if I upgrade (which is too expensive) or if I am moving network to say O2 which I don't want to do.  The third party store have suggested a triangular port in which I get my PAC code from Vodafone, cancel my contract, port the PAC code to an O2 PAYG SIM for 2 days, request a PAC code from O2 and then port the PAC code to my new contract SIM with Vodafone.  The whole process can apparently be done in a few days.

Now my questions are:

1. Is this possible?
2. Is there an easier way, such as cutting out the O2 part with possibly a Vodafone PAYG SIM?  Or even a straight port?
3. Is there a chance I could lose the phone number?

I use this phone number for business and private and I have had it for maybe 10 years or more.  I have a lot of clients who only contact me once a year or even once every few years and losing my number would cost me thousands in lost business, as a number of clients don't use email and change their phone numbers/addresses etc.

Many thanks

[AnnS]

Hi @New_User5

That would work.  When you use the PAC code, it will generate the final bill with the early termination charges.  The only thing to remember is to keep the direct debit active until you have the final bill with a 0.00  balance as your confirmation  of account closure.

As soon as the number is on 02 or even EE, request a PAC code and port back onto the new contract with CPW.

[New_User5]

Hi @AnnS

Thank you for the response.

So when I phone up Vodafone I don't ask to cancel I just ask for the PAC code?  I'm guessing that asking for the PAC code means you intend to cancel the contract?  So the important thing is I ask for the PAC code?  I assume if I phone up and ask to cancel and don't ask for the PAC code they would just send me a final bill and the phone number will be lost?

Thanks again

[AnnS]

Hi @New_User5

If you ask to cancel, you will lose the number.

When you ask for a PAC code, Vodafone will know you are intending on leaving and taking your number to an alternative provider.  You may well find Vodafone come up with an offer to compete with or even better CPW, this is something in Vodafone's interest, they have to pay the third party commission for bringing in a new customer to the network.  

If you explain to the advisor the reason for asking for a PAC code, they will get this to you ASAP by text message.

[New_User5]

Hi @AnnS

Thanks for the reply again.  I have spoken to 3 different people at Vodafone and all have said that the £46 per month deal is the best they can offer, as I was always an O2 customer and this is the first contract I've had with Vodafone (so I have zero loyalty built up).  Will be interesting to see if Vodafone change their mind when I ask for a PAC code, as like you say, it's in their interest.

Many thanks and all the best to you