Why is it more expensive to 'upgrade' (Mobiles)

It's for lazy people like my father who don't want the faff of PAC codes, 30 days cancellation notice or to have to change sim cards etc.
Make sure you get cashback when you take out the contract, they are normally quite generous.

EDIT: I'm led to believe the reason new customers get better discounts is because the networks set new customer targets for mobile companies to reach and if they do they get a bonus etc, so it is in their interest to sign you up as a new customer.
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Excellent reply sickly sweet thank you. I wasn't prepared to except it was just for the first set of reasons.

Definitely claiming my £50 cashback from them, thanks for the reminder.
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I would always suggest finding a package online that you want, then if you have finished your contract with your current provider ring them and go through to the upgrade dept. They will then offer you a average deal to which you say Ive seen a much better deal online for new customers, why do they get a better deal than loyal customers. This is the key as they can then transfer you through to the retentions dept who are able to basically match whatever offer you have seen online.

Another word of note, i would totally disagree with Sickly Sweet unfortunately as I have had 2 contracts in the past with different companies that both offered cashback. I played by their rules and both companies went bust before I could obtain all my cashback for the deal. IMHO much better to have a contract with less line rental that slightly more expensive contract with the 'offer' of cashback.

Hope that helps....give it a go....nothing to lose and there is no deceit involved :-D

Thank you n1g3lt.

I always go through Mobiles.co.uk, because of the Quidco, and the often unbeatable deals.
I've had 3 contracts with them now, and as they are basically Carphonewarehouse, I feel safe with their cashback deals, as their stocks do well.

n1g3lt

Another word of note, i would totally disagree with Sickly Sweet … Another word of note, i would totally disagree with Sickly Sweet unfortunately as I have had 2 contracts in the past with different companies that both offered cashback. I played by their rules and both companies went bust before I could obtain all my cashback for the deal. IMHO much better to have a contract with less line rental that slightly more expensive contract with the 'offer' of cashback.Read lessRead more

I meant the instant type of cashback (ie through tcb or quidco) as you are right, those £10 cash back every month by sending in your bills at months 5,7,9 etc can be unreliable.
I'd stick with places like cpw, e2save, mobiles.co.uk, phones4u.
I had excellent service with e2save recently and they could have cancelled the cashback but were helpful and still paid it out, very good customer service.

i always just get a cashback deal from e2save. been using them for the last 10 years for cashback and had no problems whatsoever. They now give 2 months to return the bill even though i tend to do it on the first day and also tell you what months there due. simples. i got my new one last week for o2. it was £1.99 a month (300 mins) based on redemption for a cheapo phone. after my quidco usually in profit, so free contract.also because i was on o2 already they just migrated my number over on the same day.sorted for another 24months.