hiya some advice for my 12 yr old

reisse03

its my sons birthday in a couple of weeks and he currently has a crap payg on orange. i top ip £10 a month and he gets 300 free texts. these are usually gone in a matter of days cos him and friends text each other 'hi' etc.
haha

i am going to get him a t mobile contract as thats who im with and he only really needs unlimited texts as he doesnt call anyone.

my question is do you think i would be better getting him a payg phone with a 30 day rolling sim with unlimited texts or t mobile are doing some phones free on a 24 month contract for the same £10 with unlimited texts

any advice?

JimArnold

depends on how responsible you think he is

My daughters have had contract phones without any problems - mainly because there were some very good cashback deals around That is no longer true

Be aware that although you can set a limit it is possible to go over that as the billing system is not real time - at least thats the excuse

I think toiday I'd avoid a contract as decent phones are availabe on PAYG and I'd look at something like 3 who offer £10 a month top up gives unlimited texts and internet I think T mobile offer similar deals

BillScarab

If you get him a 24 month contract will the phone still be 'cool' enough in 12 or 18 months time? if you get a SIM only contract or PAYG at least you can change the phone.

DarkConvict

I totally agree, forget locking into a contract for a phone. 12 year old break stuff so quickly and fancy phones break very easily especially due to water (use phone in rain) and impact damage. And as above the 'new' phone come out every 6 months. Just buy a phone that is suitable and pay the upfront cost + ~£5 a month insurance for damage.

Remember unlimited has a fair usage policy, they may well charge 10p for each text over 3000 texts, its been known for some people to exceed this on a monthly basis (somehow). So 4000 texts = 1000 over, and 1000 * 10p = £100!

I personally would stick to PAYG, and teach your son to be more responsible with his allowances. Might serve him well in the future when managing money to budget for a month rather than 5 days then live on baked beans for food for the rest of the month til pay day. Come to the debt free forums on here and you will see 18-21 year olds totally screwed over for not understanding how to live in the modern world.

At the very very most, go for a 30 day rolling contract so you can stop it if required.

JimArnold

I did say that I had gone contract with my two because there were good deals and there are still afew around
eg [FONT=&quot]http://www.buymobilephones.net/mobile-phones/Samsung/Samsung-S5230-Tocco-Lite-Free-Line-Rental-Discount/T-Mobile/T-Mobile-20-%2818mths%29/2706171?adnetwork=dgm

effectively pays you over 18months with Quidco

All the above comments are very valid and make sure you understand cashback though [/FONT] [FONT=&quot][/FONT]

MissKeith

It's a bit over budget but T-Mobile do a Solo Fixed deal. It's a sim only tariff for £15 a month with 350 mins and unlimited texts but it's fixed so he can't run up a bill. As soon as he exceeds the allowance it will switch to PAYG.

ivinsp

giffgaff www.giffgaff.com currently have a £5 bolt on for unlimited texts or £10 for unlimited texts, web and 100 any network mins

usually rates are 8ppm for calls to any network and 4p sms

mnvo via o2

reisse03

thanks for the replies guys, very helpful. what im thinking is that im going to get him a payg phone and a 30 day rolling sim with 100 mins and unlimited texts.
that seems the best option at the moment.
thanks again

Nosmo_King_2

Tesco Moblile do a sim only (30 day rolling contract) that gives you 250 mins + unlimited texts for £10 or you could look at their PAYG where for a £10 top up they add an additional £20 credit. Obviously you have to buy your own phone Tesco/O2/unlocked phone, but Tesco do have some of their dearer phones with £25 off at the moment..
Only know this because looking at contract alternatives myself.