Upgrade via Carphone Warehouse issue - new plan instead of upgrade

[James-A]

Today I checked if I was eligible for an upgrade using the upgrade checker on carphone warehouse. (contract ends 21/03/2023). After completing the verification and checks it had said I was eligible for an upgrade and that I could browse my options.

I picked a phone & plan to upgrade on my pay monthly. (unlimited data)

After getting emails about the order being succesfully processed and being shipped, I decided to log in to my vodafone account to check and see if my current plan data cap had been upgraded yet, but it was still at 72GB(current cap). 

INSTEAD, there was another number on my account with a separate plan that has the unlimited data plan.. so I knew there was an error somewhere. 

So instead of upgrading my current plan, they have added on a secondary plan. Which makes no sense because I went through the entire "upgrade check process".

I contacted vodafone via live chat as it was after 8pm, and the person had told me I was to contact C.W to see about the issue as they didn;t think they could help.

After years of upgrading through C.W and being sent out a new phone, putting my old sim in and no problems etc, it seems like a phone is now going to be delivered tomorrow with a new sim/number that I don't want to use. I just want to put my current sim in the phone and move on as normal...

I've read where I might need to go down a PAC route or something, but am I on the same boat as those people or will C.W fix this for me or "merge" the accounts/plans? Surely you wouldn't think it would be so complicated nowadays.

If I look at any other methods of sorting it, will I be left without being able to use my phone or current number for any period of time? I'm stuck and worried as I use my phone for work on a daily basis.

[AnnS]

The problem you are going to have @James-A is you are still in contract until March next year. 

If you had upgraded direct with Vodafone on an Evo plan, you would have needed to be out of contract or pay an early upgrade charge to end your current contract, the reason for this is you are provided with a new airtime contract to go with the device plan.  There is further information here: Evo 

As far as the Carphone contract is concerned to transfer the number of your current contract to the new Carphone plan, you are correct and would either need to port out to any other network on PAYG and back in on the new Carphone contract or ask Vodafone to move the number to PAYG, either route will end the Vodafone contract leaving you liable for early termination fees. 

Your options now would be to make a return on your new Carphone contract.

wait until March to avoid charges or use the new phone with your current number, leaving you paying for two numbers and move the number March next year. 

Neither are ideal.

As far as taking a new number with Carphone this is usually a lot cheaper than going the upgrade route when out of contract.

An advantage going direct with Vodafone with an Evo contract is when April CPI increase comes into effect, you only pay the increase on the airtime not the device plan, if you go with Carphone you will be charged the increase on the entire amount, this can put the price up considerably.

[James-A]

Thanks for the reply @AnnS 

I'll contact C.W tomorrow and request to cancel, and if the phone gets delivered I'll send it back.

Is there anything (within your knowledge) that C.W can do to rectify this problem what so ever? Just so I know whether they're going to tell me anything over the phone and agree to cancel my order.

Am I also correct in saying they can cancel my order, refund me my one-off handset fee, without any problems?

I'll happily wait til March and upgrade then.

[WelshPaul]

Don't upgrade in March otherwise you will be hit with a anual price increase come 1st April. One can expect a big hike this year too!

[James-A]

@WelshPaul what do you suggest then?

[WelshPaul]

Upgrade on April 2nd otherwise your bill will increase around 17% or so just after taking out the deal.

[domh929]

Did you say the CPI will be 17%?! Do you know how to work out the numbers for example 

£45 a month let’s say for 2022 for a Carphone Warehouse contract would increase by how much _____ in April 2023?

[hrym]

If Vodafone use the December figure, the increase would be 10.5+3.9% (=14.4).   Some companies use January, which may be a bit lower.

[domh929]

That makes sense tbh. 

I really need the upgrade next few weeks but I’m just trying to work out the increase and how much the extra works out over 24 months. 

In this attachment it says, If the CPI rate is 1% your monthly £39 would go to £40.91, £1.90 for 1% so surely anything over 10% will be over £10 extra per month? What do you reckon? That would be like an extra £240 in 2 years which is not ideal 

 

[hrym]

10% of £39 is £3.90.  If we use my formula and assume 14.4%, £39 would become £44.62.

If you can possibly wait until April, do the upgrade just after the price rise has taken effect and you'd get 12 months at £39 (or whatever) before the 2024 increase, which will almost certainly be lower.

Also bear in mind that, if you're buying through Vodafone, the increase will only apply to the airtime element of the contract if it includes a device.   You can see the breakdown in your basket before committing if you just want to research.