Cheap Mobile Contracts Article Discussion 16 March 2011 at 10:03AM in Mobiles 131 replies 85.4K views

Former_MSE_Archna

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grumbler

When comparing contracts and PAYG it would make sense to compare disadvantages as well, not only advantages.
For example, with a contract you are far less protected from going over the limit and are far more likely to get hit by hefty charges if this happens.

ETA: this may count as an extra advantage of PAYG, but will be less clear.

Crabman

If a credit card is used to make a contract phone purchase which relies on redemption cashback, if the retailer goes bust, would the credit card company be liable under Section 75 for the retailer's liabilities (i.e. cashback redemption) for the remainder of the contract period?

mobilejunkie

You don't take out a cashback contract paying by credit card; that's merely used to verify your identity.

grumbler

Just to clarify, a CC can be used to pay for the phone if it is not free, not for the contract.

gwinmill

"When comparing contracts and PAYG it would make sense to compare disadvantages as well, not only advantages.
For example, with a contract you are far less protected from going over the limit and are far more likely to get hit by hefty charges if this happens.

ETA: this may count as an extra advantage of PAYG, but will be less clear."

This is an excellent point that "Grumbler" makes, it is very important that you do in fact look at all sides of the PAYG against Contract argument. Again PAYG avoids being tied in to a long term contract but it does come with extra costs if you start making lots of calls. Another thing to consider is, how many texts do you send, most PAYG deals tend to be more expensive than contracts when it comes to texting. The market does however seem to be dramatically lowering the costs for PAYG mobiles, so the theory of comparing the disadvantages is probably the best route to take.

mobilejunkie

I thought PAYT would now be getting a lot more expensive because of the recent actions of the EU on reducing roaming costs. Nothing stays the same for long where networks are concerned.

buglawton

The Nexus S is avail thru Quidco with £70 cashback:
Per month 100 minutes, 500 texts , 100 MB mobile internet data.
£13 pm.

No catches it seems except for the 100 MB mobile data allowance being laughable. Never mind as Voda's skimpy 3g coverage might not allow you to access all that data anyway.

So is it the best deal going at the moment, comparing with with all those £30/m deals out there?

Stuart_W

buglawton wrote: »

The Nexus S is avail thru Quidco with £70 cashback:
Per month 100 minutes, 500 texts , 100 MB mobile internet data.
£13 pm.

Which deal is that? Can't find it myself.

grumbler

http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/shop/catalog/extrasList.jsp?dependantSkuIds=sku5030466,sku4510030&phoneType=null&skuType=phoneSku&selection=null&from=phoneSku&cid=aff-aw-default-54760&_requestid=273477

It's "Quidco Exclusive" apparently.

Stuart_W

grumbler wrote: »

http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/shop/catalog/extrasList.jsp?dependantSkuIds=sku5030466,sku4510030&phoneType=null&skuType=phoneSku&selection=null&from=phoneSku&cid=aff-aw-default-54760&_requestid=273477

It's "Quidco Exclusive" apparently.

Interesting - that link was showing £31/month and I had to go via quidco to see the £13/month price. It's well hidden.

At that price ((£13x24)-£70)=£242 it is a reasonable way to get the handset interest free if you can't afford it upfront and stick in a decent SIM card. Spending the equivalent of £10/month on the handset through this deal and up to £20/month on a decent SIM will get much more value than a direct £30/month contract (and of course that all important flexibility that you don't get with being tied in to a 24 month contract)

The deal must be designed to profit from rip off run-on charges. An increasing trend it seems.