On CPW, just got iphone - what to do?

pinkie_pie

Trying to figure out the best way to work this out, and wondered if anyone had any suggestiongs.

I've wanted an iphone for ages but unable to afford one. Was just offered a cheap one from a friend and snapped it up, however not sure how to work using it for the most cost effective way.

I'm on CPW, with just over a year to go still (was happy with them for years, however they completely bodged an insurance claim and I'm really unhappy with them now, and stupidly it was a 2 year contract.) Currently I'm on a 30 a month contract, with blackberry bolt on for I think an extra £10. They don't support iphone so I can't use iphone with them, they said if I wanted to cancel they could put it down to 25 this month, 20 next, 15 after and it would stay on 15 for remainder of contract/or pay it off. My contract doesn't finish until Dec 2011, so this would work out roughly £240. The £15 a month tariff would be for 75 min and unlimited texts.

However, clearly I want to be using the iphone! I'm guessing in hindsight this was a bit daft - I probably should have used the money (and made some more selling blackberry etc) to just pay off CPW and then got a new one on a new contract. The other problem there though is I have dodgy credit so I don't know I'd be offered one.

What's the best thing to do now?

Jon_01

Can they not just swap the BB bolt on for a standard internet bolt one ? That would look to be the best way to work it ?

pinkie_pie

Really? I thought it had to be something iphone specific - like my plan for my BB apparently has to be BB specific. They told me in no uncertain terms that they don't support iphone.

I've sort of worked it out anyways, I signed up for O2 simplicity at 20 a month for 600 min, unlimited texts and 500mb browsing, and will drop the CPW plan over the next two months to £15 (which leaves me at 75min and unlimited texts also.) Between the two that's £35, which is £5 less than I'm currently paying anyways. On the upside I passed the credit check too which means I can now give CPW the boot and stick with dealing with O2 direct also.

However, if anyone knows that I could keep to CPW then I may do that, if someone can confirm it. Just to make life easier sticking to one company.

Guys_Dad

There is a film called "The music man" in which Prof Harold Hill, a con man, persuades River City that they need a band for their youngsters, despite the fact that none of them actually wanted it or could play a note.

Every time I read a thread about Iphones and other smart-smart-phones, which gobble bandwidth and people really don't need but are persuaded that they are "die for" accessories, I wonder if Steve Jobs is a reincarnated Harold Hill, given that the wretched things have problems in doing the basic task mobiles were invented for - making calls!.


(See Guys Dad on Grumpy Old Men on Dave!)

lucylucky

Guys_Dad wrote: »

There is a film called "The music man" in which Prof Harold Hill, a con man, persuades River City that they need a band for their youngsters, despite the fact that none of them actually wanted it or could play a note.

Every time I read a thread about Iphones and other smart-smart-phones, which gobble bandwidth and people really don't need but are persuaded that they are "die for" accessories, I wonder if Steve Jobs is a reincarnated Harold Hill, given that the wretched things have problems in doing the basic task mobiles were invented for - making calls!.


(See Guys Dad on Grumpy Old Men on Dave!)

Like much technology mobile phones have evolved and are used for much more than making calls. Some smart phones can handle the core function of making calls better than others and the added functionality of many phones make them a useful business tool.

EDIT - Great Musical btw. (76 trombones in the big parade.....)

Exhortation

Guys_Dad wrote: »

There is a film called "The music man" in which Prof Harold Hill, a con man, persuades River City that they need a band for their youngsters, despite the fact that none of them actually wanted it or could play a note.

Brilliantly parodied by Matt Groening in The Simpsons' "Monorail" episode.

pinkie_pie

I love that movie

I could go into a little essay about why I love smart phones (lets just say my phone gets put to very good use) but I shan't bore everyone, the only thing I will say is I didn't 'need' an iphone compared to the BB I already had, that's definitely a 'want'


Phoned CPW, and they are adamant their sim cards aren't compatible with iphones. Or at least mine isn't. Something along those lines. Plus, I'd have to pay for an internet bolton (she said it's under the £10 I pay for BB Bolton but wasn't off the top of her head sure how much) so all in all I'm not keen on then paying them extra for internet anyways.


I ordered the O2 simplicity yesterday, however I've now seen the Tesco deal which is £10 for 500min, unlimited texts and unlimited internet so I may just change to that. Then by the time I've downgraded to the £15 a month on CPW, in total I'll be paying £25, instead of currently £40.

Assuming Tesco is iphone compatible, of course!

Guys_Dad

OP has a working phone and £240 of commitment, so gets an Iphone as he always wanted one. Also has bad credit.

Now the question is it it a "want" or a "need" ? There are always new facilities available on new phones, but the marketing Harold Hills have made it a need. That's why people have bad credit - they overstretch, frequently on luxuries and not necessities.

Incidentally and concidentally, luckylucky, trombone is rhyming slang for phone (as well as something else if preceded by "rusty" I am informed by Google !!!) and 76 is about the number of old ones I have in my drawer !

Exhortation

snowedunderitall wrote: »

...however I've now seen the Tesco deal which is £10 for 500min, unlimited texts and unlimited internet so I may just change to that. Then by the time I've downgraded to the £15 a month on CPW, in total I'll be paying £25, instead of currently £40.

Assuming Tesco is iphone compatible, of course!

Tesco use the O2 network and will give you a mini-sim, no problem. Just remember that Tesco's "unlimited" data is capped at 500mb and it's a "hard" limit. Go over and you'll be paying £4 a mb.

Guys_Dad

Just bought some more Tesco shares on the strength of their out of bundle data charges. Been warning about that for months. Glad to have another voice as well.
:beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:

lucylucky

Guys_Dad wrote: »

OP has a working phone and £240 of commitment, so gets an Iphone as he always wanted one. Also has bad credit.

Now the question is it it a "want" or a "need" ? There are always new facilities available on new phones, but the marketing Harold Hills have made it a need. That's why people have bad credit - they overstretch, frequently on luxuries and not necessities.

Incidentally and concidentally, luckylucky, trombone is rhyming slang for phone (as well as something else if preceded by "rusty" I am informed by Google !!!) and 76 is about the number of old ones I have in my drawer !

Time for some recycling and money making.