Help for a technophobe mother!

notakid

Hi
I wondered if anyone could help me please. My daughter has asked for a contract phone for Xmas. She is 13 and wants to use the internet and has said she likes the sound of 3 phone as they do free skype.

I have seen the deal of sim only for £15.00 per month with 3 which is on a rolling month to month contract which sounds good as I've read the forum regarding 3's customer service!:eek:

However she wants a new phone too, she likes the look of this phone or one similar which the keyboard which flicks out.

I have seen an LG phone on special for just under £50.00
Is this the best deal? I have always used PAYG for my children and don't even own a phone myself I hate mobiles, I can't text so its all doublespeak to me. I know I will get blindsided if I walk into a phone shop.

Any suggestions will be gratefully received. I'm open to all suggestions. Ideally I don't want to pay more than £20.00 per month and no more than an 18 month contract.

Many Thanks

OneADay

Whatever phone you get it has to be 3g capable if you opt for 3 network.

If you are certain your reception in your area is good for 3 network, I think you can get 3 pay and go sim card, if you top it up by £10 you can get free internet - the top lasts 6 months I think. Not sure of exact details, have a look at the three web site.

If you go to 3 web site, have a chat to the online robot thing (you get a real person in end), they can give you a special voucher to use for accessories (lasts a day). Don't be pushed into buying straight away.

The phone choice is most important now with 3 - have a look at the range they have first. They used to do 6 month contracts for £9 a month (think those are gone).

OneADay

LG GW525 I think you are looking at and that appears to be 3g capable.:D

notakid

Thanks for the replies. I went on the website and saw they had the LG GW520 Silver on 3 at £15.00 a month on an 18 month contract with internet! Great! I thought I clicked on the link but it just redirected me back to the main site! :rolleyes: It seems the stories are true!

I'll keep looking!

ankspon

contract phone,13 year old=big bills,buyer beware.

notakid

Good point! She knows its a big investment and tbh she is "normally" very level headed but I realise now she has hit 13 it could all change.

Can you put a cap on telephone calls once the limit has been reached?

I've found this deal.
http://www.phoneboxmobiles.co.uk/detailview.aspx?bn=373&gift=27&hn=186&source=af&progid=9982

Any comments on it? I may wait a week or two before purchasing only because I don't want to be paying for dead airtime as she won't be getting it until Xmas.

edgex

stick to PAYG
even if your giving her the money to top-up with, at least your in control of the total spend.

i also wouldnt give a 13yr old a £130-150 phone

theartfullodger

edgex is right... and

contract phone,13 year old=big bills,buyer beware.

A contract 'phone is basically a blank cheque... people can, do & have racked up HUGE HUGE HUGE bills phoning the "wrong" numbers... and other scams...

OneADay

notakid wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. I went on the website and saw they had the LG GW520 Silver on 3 at £15.00 a month on an 18 month contract with internet! Great! I thought I clicked on the link but it just redirected me back to the main site! :rolleyes: It seems the stories are true!

I'll keep looking!

I didn't think it was available on Three - I cant see it anywhere on their site.
The only way to get that phone would be purchase separately from somewhere and go on pay and go plan or monthly with three. Just have to be aware it wont be pre-loaded with msn messenger, skype (easy to install but it wont be configured initially).

Other phones like E63 are worth a look I think. As regards a 13 year old having a contract phone, I think its down to how responsible that 13 year old is.

maxtweenie

notakid wrote: »

Good point! She knows its a big investment and tbh she is "normally" very level headed but I realise now she has hit 13 it could all change.

Can you put a cap on telephone calls once the limit has been reached?

I've found this deal.
http://www.phoneboxmobiles.co.uk/detailview.aspx?bn=373&gift=27&hn=186&source=af&progid=9982

Any comments on it? I may wait a week or two before purchasing only because I don't want to be paying for dead airtime as she won't be getting it until Xmas.

There's no internet included in this deal, so it will end up costing more each month.

watcherman

As I've posted before, my 13yr old has an iPhone, make her aware of costs, and if she's responsible, it wont be a problem. Online billing helps, as you can then monitor for any "irregularities".