Joining EE but contracts are ridiculously expensive, even compared to EE PAYG

[EAB25]

I'm with EE and consider it the best network, so I was trying to convince a friend to join. But the prices on a contract are extortionate!

The cheapest EE SIM only deal on a contract I can see available to a new customer is £18 a month for 50gb, which is crazy given you can get 50gb on O2 right now for £8.99, including EU roaming.

Weirdly you can get an EE 'PAYG' on a monthly subscription with 8GB data for £10 a month. 

I can't see any reason to sign him up to a contract with EE when it's nearly twice the price of the PAYG tariff and he's locked in for two years. Aside from a speed limit of 25Mbps, which is plenty for almost all tasks, why would ANYONE sign up to a contract which is going to go up in price every year?

Am I missing something?

[Geddobbins1]

Why is EE advertising itself as one of the best networks available . I am talking about network coverage not broadband which is great . I'm saying that the network is very poor . The reception in Manchester City centre area especially amongst high rise buildings is not always available . I spoke to an EE rep about this . He said it was downnto vandalism . People damaging masts . I find this hard to believe and EE won't admit the real reasons behind poor reception.

[EAB25]

I was talking about network coverage too, and I've always found EE to be the best and three to be the worst, with O2 and Vodafone about equal in the middle. But you should choose a network that works where you live and travel to. 

[Matt_124]

@Geddobbins1 

1. You don't automatically "get free roaming charges abroad and unlimited data if you form a joint account with a partner" - you would need both lines to be on relevant plans that include these features, the same as anyone else. The only direct benefit you get from two lines on the same account is Multi-Line Discount on the second line.

2. "Contracts for 3 years" are optional on Flex Pay - you get the choice to split your Device Payments over 24 or 36 Months on a Device Credit Agreement and this balance can be paid off any time after the first 30 days. Your Airtime agreement is a 24-month minimum term, unless you have EE One in which case it is a 1-month rolling agreement for this.

[Manc-Man]

Just increased my sim only to £19, a ridiculous amount when competitors are half that cost. Decided to call it a day and move on , can’t afford to keep giving decision makers bigger bonuses, just saying…..

[Chris_B]

@Manc-Man   That’s the yearly price increase and all major networks do it, it was in the contract T&Cs that you agreed too. 
You just do happen to if taken out a cheaper tariff with a different network.  Did you at least call EE customer support to see what they could offer ? Because it doesn’t sounds like you didn’t.  

[Manc-Man]

Yep! First thing I did Chris, had one conversation with an agent who offered me a reduction of £1 per month (?). Then about 1 hr later received a call offering a reduction to £12pm rising to £15 later in the year. Still struggling to see what’s behind their reasoning to why so high? I think if they work with the potential customers they could sweep up. Their competitors seem to have their heads screwed on even if EE’s decision makers don’t 

[Manc-Man]

And just as an afterthought ‘why’ does a ‘loyal’ customer have to search for the best deals shouldn’t it be incumbent for the company to offer these options in the first place? Have they never heard of “set a sprat to catch a herring “ when I was in business (many years ago now) my returning customers were gold dust and well worth looking after. Again, just saying……..