I'm currently experiencing problems with Orange, mainly playing an online game (World of Warcraft)
I have been with this ISP for 3 years. I first joined with Freeserve as it was the best deal at the time, then it became Wanadoo and now it's Orange.
The whole time i've been on the same package and have not experienced any problems...until the past few months.
Playing WoW is about the only thing i use my connection for, other than occasionally browsing the web and using email.
Recently I have experienced terrible latency only whilst playing WoW and contected the technical support staff on the WoW forums. They told me to run a traceroute to identify the problem. Once I did this they identified my high latency down to my isp.
Now after 3 years I decided to switch to another provider, BT and they told me I needed a MAC code first.
I rang Orange up and requested it, to which a sales person asks my why I'm leaving, I told him and he assured me that the latency problem would be fixed in days and the offers me 6 months free of the current package I'm on.
Thinking that the problem would be fixed over the weekend and 6 months free I said that was fine and hung up.
A week later no change was made to the performance of my in-game latency and I came across this thread.
So I rang Orange up again and request my MAC code again as I have been unable to play any online games efficently with this provider for months and they tell me that I have been entered into a new 12 month contract.
I explain that I phoned up a week ago to cancel my account and wanted my MAC code to which I was told that the problem WOULD be fixed and they made no mention of a new contract only offered me 6 months free and that my latency would return to normal.
The Woman told me that if I wanted the MAC code they would charge me £9.99 for 12 months.
I told her that I didn't sign up for anything and they guy I spoke to said he would offer me only 6 months free and that my problem would be fixed, and it has not been so I would like to leave the provider. She transfered me to anotther department and another lady then said that I would receive my MAC code by letter&email.
It has been a few days and I have still not recieved my MAC code.
Also I should still be using the time of my old package as I paid the month's usage on the 15th of June as Orange charge a month in advance as it has always been so I shouldn't be under any new contract as of yet?
I'm terribly worried that I may have been, what I think as tricked into a new contract for 12 months.
The service I only use for (Playing WoW) is not working and I cannot stay with this ISP as it is.
What I want to know is can is I join up to BT broadband and give my MAC code, would that stop Orange from taking money out of my bank in the future?
Thank's for any reply and sorry for the long post.
Even if you are in a contract with Orange they HAVE TO provide you with a MAC within 5 working days of requesting it - the law now.
If you haven't receieved it after 5 days then ring them and demand it and tell them you are reporting them to Ofcom and ISPA.
I do advise you to not wait and report them anyway as they are doing their usual lies and tricks.
Any money they claim you owe them for the remaining contract period is void as they have broken the contract by not providing you with the service you pay for.
Joined: 13 Aug 2006Posts: 1689Location: Marylebone Central London
I agree with Andy, they have to supply you with a MAC within 5 days of requesting it if you dont get it ring them and tell them you will report them to Ofcom once you get your MAC pass it to BT once you have migrated then cancel your direct debit.
As for the contract as you rightly said you was tricked into it so its null and void and your word against theirs. btw a retention agent gets commission on every customer he/she retains so we know why they do it.
This underhand tactic crops up on this site time and time again how they are still getting away with it is beyond me and is a total disgrace no wonder customers are leaving in droves.
Good luck i hope u get it sorted soon
_________________ ex Freeserve/Wanadoo/Orange Blog
Joined: 01 May 2007Posts: 10Location: Ripley / Derbyshire
Hello Danny D,
Whatever you do ,don't jump out of the frying pan and into the fire.BT don't have very good ratings as an isp either.They also have a 12 month contract,which you should avoid like the plague.
Alot of isp's now have a 1 month contract.This is obvioulsly better.The isp know that if they give you a dodjy service you will leave next month,which is why you will get much better service with them .
This link will take you to the isp ratings .You can see that all of the isp's that people know about due to tv adverts etc don't rate very high at all
They have a 1 month contract ,costs £19.99 a month,is up to 8mb,has a 30 gb download limit (peak) , 300gb (yes 300gb) download limit off peak (off peak is between 22.00 - 08.00 weekdays and 22.00 friday night - 08.00 monday morning ).All weekend at off peak.Their technical support is excellent.
DON'T GET TRAPPED INTO A 12 MONTH CONTRACT AGAIN !!!!!
After leaving Orange to BT two months ago I have had a solid connection ever since, so I can't say I agree with the above post..
I too had the same WoW problems as you and it was my primary reason for leaving Orange. Since leaving I now have no problems even when myself and two other family members are using the connection at the same time.
BT is a million times better than Orange and I recommend them.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
