what happened to pay as you go?

backwinder3

I have a phone I bought from Tesco's about 18 months ago. I bought £20 worth of credit at the time, and I still have £8 of that credit left to use up. I do not have to count my texts or count the talk minutes. Self evidently there are not many of either!

I tried to add to the credit but was told that I could not do so unless I could prove when and where I bought the phone, which I cannot now do as I have lost all the paperwork. The problem is I did not register the phone at the time. I did not know I needed to do so to add credit.

My question is, can I still obtain the same kind of deal on another phone? I have looked for one but all I seem to find is the "renewable" kind of paygo, starting at £10 per month, when all I require is £10 per year. Alternatively, could I then put the sim card in my existing phone [assuming this is legal. I don't know if it is or not]??

JJ_Egan

Sim card can go in any unlocked phone legally .

PAYG £10 a year standard PAYG Virgin Mobile just swapped from them and paying less than £10 a year .
Moved to GiffGaff simple PAYG 6 weeks £1 spent .Only moved due to lower data charge for Smartphone .

jje

Techhead_2

backwinder3 wrote: »

I have a phone I bought from Tesco's about 18 months ago. I bought £20 worth of credit at the time, and I still have £8 of that credit left to use up. I do not have to count my texts or count the talk minutes. Self evidently there are not many of either!

I tried to add to the credit but was told that I could not do so unless I could prove when and where I bought the phone, which I cannot now do as I have lost all the paperwork. The problem is I did not register the phone at the time. I did not know I needed to do so to add credit.

My question is, can I still obtain the same kind of deal on another phone? I have looked for one but all I seem to find is the "renewable" kind of paygo, starting at £10 per month, when all I require is £10 per year. Alternatively, could I then put the sim card in my existing phone [assuming this is legal. I don't know if it is or not]??

There are some things not right here and some I think have been misunderstood.

First of all topping up, you just buy a voucher or swipe the top up card. No personal information is required. Are you actually, trying to register a debit or credit card, so that you can top up that way? If so you need to prove ownership of the handset, the only way to do that is for them to ask for details of the use of the phone.

Secondly, this 'renewable' pay as you go. You don't have to top up a minimum each month. But if you do the phone operators will reward you with extra minutes/texts etc. You are still free to top up occasionally and use the handset as you wish.

Thirdly, whilst you can put your SIM in a different handset. It won't solve your problem as the account is associated with the SIM not the handset.

I think you have two solutions. The easiest is to top up using a voucher or top-up card or cash point. There is no interaction at all.

Alternatively, follow the instructions supplied with the phone to register the handset. If you have any problems then explain the situation to them. Only then seek to top up by card.

backwinder3

thanks for your replies JJ and Techhead. JJ, thanks but no.
Techhead, you are right there is much misunderstood. I have paid little or no attention to developments in the mobile phone world. When I went to tesco's and produced the card that I think I bought with the phone, the till would not accept it. I bought the phone with my debit card but lost the receipt. That was why I could not top up when I [much later] phoned tesco.

As far as I understand it, I simply want to use a 2g service, and I want to know what I am getting and not be ripped off by some smart-alec mobile phone salesman. I do not trust the mobile networks, the phone companies or anybody associated with them! All of their information is obfuscated and vague and this is done deliberately. I would rather be able to use the phone I have. I would even be prepared to buy another cheap phone, if I need to. But If I can just buy a sim card which will do what I want - and not snare me into topping up every month, that would be better. Where could I get such a sim card??

grumbler

Just google for 'orange free sim' or 'o2 free sim' or whatever other network you want.
For low usage PAYG without internet i believe iCard Mobile are the best ATM.

Techhead_2

backwinder3 wrote: »

thanks for your replies JJ and Techhead. JJ, thanks but no.
Techhead, you are right there is much misunderstood. I have paid little or no attention to developments in the mobile phone world. When I went to tesco's and produced the card that I think I bought with the phone, the till would not accept it. I bought the phone with my debit card but lost the receipt. That was why I could not top up when I [much later] phoned tesco.

As far as I understand it, I simply want to use a 2g service, and I want to know what I am getting and not be ripped off by some smart-alec mobile phone salesman. I do not trust the mobile networks, the phone companies or anybody associated with them! All of their information is obfuscated and vague and this is done deliberately. I would rather be able to use the phone I have. I would even be prepared to buy another cheap phone, if I need to. But If I can just buy a sim card which will do what I want - and not snare me into topping up every month, that would be better. Where could I get such a sim card??

The top up card needs to be associated with your phone number, this is an automated service with no personal details needed. Alternatively you can buy a top up voucher and then type the number into your phone.

As I said, none of the current tariffs require you to top up every month. You can top up as you see fit and pay a standard rate for calls and texts. But if you do choose to top up then you'll get extras.

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

Most ATM's allow you to top up too.

Just select your network, then the top up amount and finally put the mobile number in twice.