Non-iPhone O2 customers (UK) - you can buy at Apple store

[cdownton]

This has been suggested in another thread
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/519106/

Today I did it and O2 seem to be playing ball. Here's what I did

1. Bought an iPhone at Apple Store, signed up to a new 18m contract.
2. Called up O2 iPhone 'specialists' on 2302, gave them my new iPhone number and my old O2 number (that I want to keep).
3. The lady said the old number and account is going to be migrated to an iPhone account and the new sim cancelled, up to 48hrs later. At which point I should put my old sim into the iPhone.

I don't think this is something that they're publicising or keen on - the first guy on retentions I spoke to at O2 was very persuasive that it would be quicker for me to upgrade when O2 got stock. He also had the cheek to say that the loyalty I had built up would no longer be recognised!!! Like they've been desperate to show loyalty to existing customers so far

Given that O2 doesn't have stock and they don't seem to know when they will, this seems to be a better option. Plus they're very nice in the Apple Store!

Edit - The number transferred over today. I did not have an iPhone and I was on the simplicity tariff.

 

[hazdageez]

Did you obtain written confirmation before you went ahead with this to back yourself up?

I think i may go to the apple store on thursday then....

 

[April Dancer]

I hope that works out. My husband is non iPhone o2 and if he gets the white at the Apple Store, I can swap with my new black, which he prefers. This is all such a song and dance...

 

[cdownton]

I didn't get written confirmation, although others have on the other thread.

I spoke to the retentions team twice to confirm this and they had no hesitation. I think they were reading from a Knowledgebase.

When I spoke with the specialist team on 2302 there was no problem. Of course, don't hold me responsible if it doesn't work - I'll confirm my number has transferred over when it does!

 

[zainjetha]

**** - o2 are pathetic. I wouldnt even take out a contract with them.... This goes to show that their customer service for iPhone is crap. I'm waiting for PAYG to come out then i will chuck out the o2 SIM and use my vodafone sim...

 

[anim8or]

were u an existing iPhone customer....???

 

[owaters]

In effect your loyalty will still be recognised if they have simply migrated your existing account to an iPhone account. I assume this is effectively an upgrade.

Out of interest, do you still login to your O2 online account (o2.co.uk) to check your bill etc using the same username as before?

 

[steelez]

I did the same as the original poster, also a none iphone O2 customer on simplicity.

I was told the switch would simply be treated as an upgrade and I still log into my account using my old login.

They got my tariff wrong initially but after I called their support and emailed a copy of my agreement to them they switched it over and refunded any extra charges. O2 support has been very good so far.