1.) Get PAC from Orange.
2.) Transfer existing number to disposable, free, non-Orange PAYG service.
3.) Order new N73 for free on a new contract (with new number).
4.) 30 days after PAC was issued, get PAC from new PAYG service for old
number.
5.) Provide PAC to Orange and get old number transferred to new contract.

Hey presto, you've got it for free (with a bit of hassle.)

D

Why not just contact them and ask for a PAC.  That will get their
attention and if they don't make a decent offer go elsewhere.  Most
companies, including Orange, seem to welcome new customers with special
deals (although you can normally do even better through the various
mobile web sites) but couldn't care less about their existing customers
despite what they say.

About 6 months ago I was looking to upgrade with Orange so gave them a ring.

About two weeks before, my daughter, who was just about to upgrade with them
for the first time after a 12 month contract, was offered a great deal
compared to the one I had for the same price as I was paying. It was
something like 500 free minutes cross network and a 1000 free texts for lets
say £35. I was on something like 300 minutes plus about 300 free texts for
the same price. She also got the phone she wanted - Samsung D900 if I
remember correctly.

Anyway, when I made contact, I was offered exactly the same deal as I was on
already. I told the salesperson about my daughters' deal and that she was
just starting the second year with them whereas I was a customer of 8 years.
The person said "Loyalty doesn't mean anything".

I was absolutely gobsmacked. Payments for the rental and any extra minutes
used went out by direct debit on time, every time. I asked for my PAC code
which arrived within a few days and I changed to O2 for a better deal but I
lost out on coverage in my home area. I like cycling, fishing and generally
being out and about in the countryside but O2's signal is abysmal/non
existent. Orange, after many letters from me over several years eventually
erected a transmitter about 200 metres from a location that I had suggested
they put one and they just blitzed a previously signal free area and, as a
result, have benefited from many new subscribers. None of the other
providers have followed their lead.

I did send a letter to Orange, which they acknowledged, saying that the
operator was spoken to but I think the problem was not the salesperson (she
was probably following given guidelines). I further know that when you do
phone customer services and select the option where you are "thinking of
leaving" Orange, you are connected to an external company - agents for
Orange. The reason I know this is that when I started my last 18 month
contract with Orange, I did so at the same time as my wife. We were offered
(what we thought was) a good deal with half line rental for the first six
months. We had to fight to get the discount four months down the line and
Orange blamed the company who upgraded us. It was admitted that it wasn't
their upgrade team I spoke to even though I had phoned Orange customer
services. Furthermore, extra texts that my wife opted for appeared on my
agreement.

Absolute shambles - but if coverage in my area doesn't improve, I think I
will have to go back to them but at least I will be starting again afresh -
or will I???

Personally I've *never* had anyone offer the same as a new customer
when I went to upgrade and I've just left them, I usually change
comapnies every year, last time Orange wanted £195 for N95, when I
could have got it free as a new customer, I'm now on Vodafone.

Their loss.

john@moppetts.org.uk declared for all the world to hear...

Whats you're wifes average bill? If it's below £20 there won't be any
room for negotiation. Sign her up as a new customer. if you want to get
a cheap deal.

If she continues to spend low though it will be the same scenario again
in 12-18 months time.