Contract start date

D1zzy

Want to buy a couple of Iphones as xmas presents and thought I'd pay the first year's contract - but was told the contract had to start from the purchase date (even though they'll be in a box 'til xmas).

Does anyone allow you to specify a start date for the contract. (I'm a PAYG user myself - so not used to the ramifications of contracts)

I assume at the end of the contract the "owners" will then just be able to take over the contract or geta new deal?

Thanks

603_090

I doubt it very much... Unless you pursuade a company to dispatch the iPhones for the date you wish to start the contract. Again you may not find anyone who will allow that as by the time it came to posting there may be stock issues running up to Xmas.

shellsuit

You're going to pay the first years contract?

What if they run up thousands of pounds using them?!

nsabournemouth

Buy them sim free instead?

D1zzy

shellsuit wrote: »

You're going to pay the first years contract?

What if they run up thousands of pounds using them?!

Good point - I do know they won't but..

I wanted to get the Tesco 12 month deal - what I would ideally do, is take out the contracts in their name and give 'em the £240 to cover the £20 a month - but I don't think that's possible.

Originally thought about a PAYG - but couldn't find out what the Web charges were -standard provision 500MB seems to be to be the PASYG norm - but is that free or a monthly limit or chargeable at ?

.. very knew to all this (my mobile usage is about £20 a year )

D1zzy

nsabournemouth wrote: »

Buy them sim free instead?

If I do this, can they just stick in their existing O2 SIMs? Currently they are on PAYG with no Web useage

shellsuit

D1zzy wrote: »

Good point - I do know they won't but..

I wanted to get the Tesco 12 month deal - what I would ideally do, is take out the contracts in their name and give 'em the £240 to cover the £20 a month - but I don't think that's possible.

Originally thought about a PAYG - but couldn't find out what the Web charges were -standard provision 500MB seems to be to be the PASYG norm - but is that free or a monthly limit or chargeable at ?

.. very knew to all this (my mobile usage is about £20 a year )

But if they lose it or it gets stolen, someone could rack a massive bill up. And even if they go over their allowance just by a bit, it will be you footing the bill.

You won't be able to take out a contract in their name, but they could, and you just give them the money each month, that way if they go over, they have to pay the extra. Bear in mind also, that if you do it that way, you won't have the phone to present to them, as they'll receive it when they take the contract out.

shellsuit

Just gone back to your original post and No, there isn't anywhere that will let you choose when the contract starts. You take a contract and it starts right there and then.

Also with this...

I assume at the end of the contract the "owners" will then just be able to take over the contract or geta new deal?

No, if you take out the contract for them, it will roll over month to month until you cancel it and you will have to pay as it will be in your name. And if they wanted a better deal, you would have to sort it out as it would be in your name.

D1zzy

shellsuit wrote: »

But if they lose it or it gets stolen, someone could rack a massive bill up. And even if they go over their allowance just by a bit, it will be you footing the bill.

Well that applies to any contract phone doen't it? - is there some scheme (like if your credit card gets lost) -where you can report it lost and have it disabled quickly?

You won't be able to take out a contract in their name, but they could, and you just give them the money each month, that way if they go over, they have to pay the extra. Bear in mind also, that if you do it that way, you won't have the phone to present to them, as they'll receive it when they take the contract out.

Kinda defeats the object of a Xmas pressy tho

Thanks for making me think tho

shellsuit

D1zzy wrote: »

Kinda defeats the object of a Xmas pressy tho

Yes of course you could report it if it went missing, but it depends if it's noticed right away and how quickly the company put a stop/block on it.

Yes it does defeat the object of a present, but in that case, you'll have to take the contracts out in your name and trust the people not to rack up bigger bills than you are expecting to pay then sort it out at the end of the contract term.

nsabournemouth

D1zzy wrote: »

If I do this, can they just stick in their existing O2 SIMs? Currently they are on PAYG with no Web useage

Buy a PAYG iphone then or buy a decent phone instead that is cheaper. The iphone is a heap of trash anyway.