Payg

david_hellier

PAYG was designed for younger, poorer, furtive, disorganised customers. I think it was originally invented by Orange and was one of the industry's surprise successes, like texting.

However, avoiding identity and valid credit checks, changing networks costs the poor more money. So, you will find that it is cheaper on a contract in the long run.

However if you have difficulty paying bills, stick with PAYG.

rog2

I have an O2 contract, inclusive of 100 minutes and 100 texts. About 10 months ago, I asked them if I could change it for a PAYG. I was put through to a manager, who, because of the time that I had had the account, gave me a credit of £75, plus a 50% loyalty bonus (my only commitment was for 12 months). For about 9 months, these credits, and loyalty bonus, meant that I paid nothing (ZILCH, NIX) per month. Last month I received the first bill with a debit balance - £1.88. This month (yesterday in fact) I received another bill, this time for £10.75. With the 'loyalty bonus' it is likely that my bill will remain at, or about this level for the foreseeable future - at least until my 12 month obligation is over. I use my phone for my work and use most, if not all of the inclusive minutes, though I'm not too hot on texting.
Sometimes it can pay to talk to your provider.
I do, also, have a PAYG, which I use when I need to be more anonymous - calls to CC companies, DCAs etc. The rest of the time it is switched off.