VOIP(Betamax) - using resellers for credit?

martyp

I've got just 2 free days left on my JustVoip account now and need to add credit soon and have seen that the Euro has gone up a lot against the pound so it'll cost me a bit more than last top up...
I looked at the different payment methods and all seem to charge an admin fee and VAT at 19% on top of the credit (total generally about 12.6 Euros).
I noticed one payment option is using resellers and it gives you a list of people you in theory send money to their bank account and they top up your account? Sometimes giving more credit etc. Sounds good in theory but I'm obviously dubious about transferring money to someone's bank account in good faith that I'll get credit...

redux

The resellers do it to make some small profit, and not all of them get a discount anyway, so you're likely to see a mark-up there too.

If you want to do a bank transfer, how about straight to Betamax

martyp

I wasn't sure if the bank transfer would attract the same extra charges as debit card or paypal...? I'm looking for the cheapest way of paying really. I noticed that paying by text or phone works out less value for money.

Saeed

martyp didn't you post a similar thread a few months ago??? Anyway the cheapest way is to pay by paypal, credit/debit would work out more after your bank charges, transferring money incurs charges too! I've been using SMS text and the rate has gone down from 4.30 euros for £5 recharge in november 08 to 3.70 euros a month ago! justvoip is not working for me today too

martyp

Saeed wrote: »

martyp didn't you post a similar thread a few months ago??? Anyway the cheapest way is to pay by paypal, credit/debit would work out more after your bank charges, transferring money incurs charges too! I've been using SMS text and the rate has gone down from 4.30 euros for £5 recharge in november 08 to 3.70 euros a month ago! justvoip is not working for me today too

Yes you're right, I should have added to that one. The SMS recharge sounds good but don't you get a lot less freedays that way? You say you get charged for credit and debit cards? I would have expected for credit but not debit cards?
It's working ok for me today. I'm using Voxalot with it.

pardal51

I've been using Justvoip (Betamax) for a couple of months, hence no top up yet. Made payment via paypal as I believe it is the "cheapest" option.

Who is your phone provider? I am still with BT cheapest option.

martyp

pardal51 wrote: »

I've been using Justvoip (Betamax) for a couple of months, hence no top up yet. Made payment via paypal as I believe it is the "cheapest" option.

Who is your phone provider? I am still with BT cheapest option.

My landline provider is Virginmedia, on off-peak caller tariff (6p for an hour off peak)

Saeed

martyp wrote: »

Yes you're right, I should have added to that one. The SMS recharge sounds good but don't you get a lot less freedays that way? You say you get charged for credit and debit cards? I would have expected for credit but not debit cards?
It's working ok for me today. I'm using Voxalot with it.

I am using Justvoip at 2 different locations simultaneously so that may have something to do with it. My brother and I are sharing the free days It's started working ok for me too now.

yes you get less free days with SMS top up, at last top up of £5, I got 42 days, which is not too bad i suppose.

debit card will incur charges from your bank as you are paying in euros, unless you have a euros account

martyp

Saeed wrote: »

debit card will incur charges from your bank as you are paying in euros, unless you have a euros account

I've just checked back to when it came out my bank account (paid by debit card) in November 2008 and it says as follows:
"BETAMAX VOIP CREDIT EUR 12.50 Withdrawn £10.82"
Not sure if there were any charges in that but nothing stated on my account (Cahoot). Is this conversion charging a new thing? Annoying that with the current exchange rate I think it'd work out about £12...

Saeed

You seem to have got a good rate so maybe you don't get charged a transaction and exchange fee although I'm not sure if cahoot charge or not. you're probably best off checking with your bank. I know that barclays do because I wanted to send some money to my sipgate account via them and they said some rediculous amount as transfer fee. I hear that Nationwide didn't charge a fee on foreign purchases using their card, but that was a while ago.

Saeed

I've decided to go to a reseller, will try 10 euros (= £11) so see what goes. If I get ripped off, I'll let you know.