I'm with Vodafone, and needed a Sony-E phone to fully function with my Sony-E bluetooth car kit.
I have two accounts with them.(one for the wife as well etc)
Phoned Voda for a upgrade on the wifes account, with the intention of grabbing the new phone for myself!
She very happy to get my nearly new V3X, so no household wars
The wife hardly uses her mobile, as she is either at work or home.
She does like to text her friends, so we needed a tariff with low minutes but with a text bundle.
I'm not keen on cash back deals (have one with the Carphonewarehouse), as it is a PITA and some companies go bump before you get your cheque.
I also only wanted a 12 month contract, as i'm not sure what the future holds. (new business venture just started)
I need to keep my number for business reasons, and want to stay with Vodafone.(friends and family are all on Vodafone, so cheaper mobile calls etc)
So as you can imagine, i'm NOT the ideal candidate for a cheap upgrade.
I searched a few places like Carphonewarehouse just to see how much on a new contract etc.
The "75 anynetwork" seemed ideal, but on a 12 month contract the K800i would cost £120.
Also the package didn't have a text bundle, and cost £20 a month.
Some places where offering cash back deals, but as mentioned i didn't want that route.
So i phoned Vodafone direct, and asked what they had to offer. (for the K800i)
I asked for the 75 minute tariff, on a 12 month contract...
£110 for the phone
£25 a month
100 texts included.
I mentioned i could get a better deal with a new contract, and was informed those deals where for new customers only
Ok a said, put me through to cancellations!
As you have guessed, i was put through to a "senior" advisor who had access to better deals...
New upgrade deal offered...
£49 for phone
£20 a month
250 texts now included
I took it!
Works out at 12 x £20 = £240 + £49 = £289
Which is as cheap as i could have bought the handset sim free, but she gets the calls and texts thrown in.
Come 12 months i will be back on the phone for another upgrade.!..
A good place to start searching...(with O2 looking very cheap via cashback etc)
http://www.mobiles4everyone.com/index.asp