Consumer champion Martin Lewis has issued a stark warning to O2 customers, urging them to consider leaving the mobile network after it imposed a controversial mid-contract price increase. His advice has already led to significant savings for many, with one customer reporting an annual saving of over £450.
Substantial Savings Following Expert Advice
The call to action was made on the Martin Lewis Money Show Live earlier this month, where the Money Saving Expert dissected the recent price hikes from major providers like O2 and Vodafone. He provided clear, step-by-step guidance on how affected customers could legally exit their contracts within a 30-day window after being notified of the increase.
The public response was immediate and telling. During a follow-up segment, co-presenter Jeanette Kwayke read a message from a viewer named Nicola. Nicola revealed that by requesting her PAC code and switching to a new provider, she was saving £38.25 per month, which amounts to a substantial £459 per year. Her message concluded with the decisive statement, "O2 boycotted."
Haggling Success and Provider Pushback
Interestingly, leaving isn't the only path to savings. Another customer, Shaun, contacted the show to share his success in negotiating a better deal directly with O2. By using his right to leave as leverage, Shaun secured a reduction of £34 per month on his two contracts, also gaining more data. This represents an annual saving of £408, proving that haggling can be highly effective.
However, the process hasn't been entirely smooth. Some viewers, like Julie, reported receiving confusing messages from O2 stating they needed to "pay the device off in full" before leaving. Martin Lewis was quick to clarify this, calling it a "terrible piece of phrasing." He explained that while customers must continue paying off their handset balance, they are not required to pay it as a single lump sum. They are free to leave the airtime plan and continue the handset payments monthly as before.
Taking a Stand Against Corporate Behaviour
Lewis's campaign is about more than individual savings. He is encouraging a collective response to what he sees as unfair corporate practice. "When companies behave like this... we need to give them a corporate bloody nose," he stated emphatically on his show. His aim is for customer churn to hit O2's reputation and finances hard enough to deter them and other companies from implementing similar mid-contract hikes in the future.
In response to the criticism, an O2 spokesperson defended the price rise, stating it is outweighed by a £700 million annual investment in their network. They also emphasised that they have been "fully transparent" with customers and provided them with the right to exit without penalty.
For UK households, the message from Martin Lewis is clear: if you have received a notification about a mid-contract price rise from O2, you have 30 days to act. You can either switch to a new provider or use this right as a powerful bargaining chip to secure a better deal with your current one.
