Help a newbie out?

brassmonkey001

Well, not a complete newbie as such. I've had a mobile or two over the years, the last one was given to me by a friend who upgraded, and I got it unlocked and have been PAYG on Orange for the last 3 or 4 years. I hardly ever use it, only for important calls or to be reached by herself, and occasional text foolery with the lads.
Anyhoo, to the crux of the matter. A mate has just got a snazzy new phone - SE W810i and I'm so impressed with it I want one as well. It is no bigger than mine but it has a camera and MP3 player and other phone gubbins that knock mine into a cocked hat.
I doubt I spend £5 a month on mine, but I fancy this new one.
I'm utterly confused about contracts and such, what with cashback deals and so forth. I just want a nice cheap deal that's nice and easy to understand.
Can anyone offer any advice?

the_tired_one

Try these deals - with cashback

e2save.com

http://www.e2save.com/mobile/phones/disphandset.php?handset=K800I

mobileshop.com

http://www.mobileshop.com/mobile-phones/all/contract-mobile-phones/Sony-Ericsson-W810i.php/nwrk/A/ttype/A/

brassmonkey001

Thanks TTO, but I mean I'm confused about cashback rather than I'm looking for it. How does it work? Do I pay a fixed fee every month and get so much back at the end or something?
I see some deals say pay £2.99 for x amount of months and then £35 after. Is that how it works? Or do I pay £35 every month and get £32.01 back for the first few months?
Is there an easy guide to entering the murky world of contracts?

the_tired_one

I see.

Cashback in a nutshell is simple

You pay the line rental every month (eg £30/month) for an agreed period of 12 months (or whatever the agreement period is).

Depending on who the deal has been taken out with (eg Carphone warehouse/e2save/mobileshop.com/phonebox.direct.com etc etc etc), you them make a claim for the your cashback at regular intervals.

So your 12 month deal is worth £360.

Once you connect, you get your 1st chequeback (eg £90) After Month 4 you claim your 1st cashback (£90) and the same at Month 8, and Month 12.

It will vary slightly depending on the retailer.

Claiming involves submitting copies of the relavant airtime bill and a voucher or coupon that the retailer supplies - BUT YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW THEIR T&Cs 100%.

Good luck.