PAYG occasional use

thunderbird

I want to get a SIM card for an old phone and then put a small amount of credit on for my son to use as an emergency one.

I was going to get O2 as I know we can get local coverage, but looking on their website it looks like you have to pay a certain amount per month? In the past I have had phones where I've put about £10 on every 6 months and it just keeps carrying the balance over each month if not used. do they no longer exist like this?

If not, are there other suppliers that anyone would recommend?

Thanks

DUTR

3 payg credit lasts until it is expired, that said, a quick call to or from the number every few months is no inconvenience really , hope you get it sorted quickly before the giffgaff spammers arrive

ridethelightning

Why are there so many folk against giffgaff here? For occasional use they will definitely be the cheapest and credit will last 6 months with no use.

They are a company that offer true money saving, which is what this forum is all about, so why all the negativity towards them?

Also, you say you have good O2 coverage, giffgaff work off the O2 network so would be ideal.

ikati5

giffgaff are not spam but a lot of people who missed out and signed up to expensive competitors like to poo poo them, its just sour grapes. Have a look at their website and make your own informed decision. They run on the o2 network so you are getting the same service.

Whatever you decide, make sure the network you choose has adequate coverage for your area, if he has an emergency he'll want a phone that works.

MorrisonsEmployee

DUTR wrote: »

3 payg credit lasts until it is expired, that said, a quick call to or from the number every few months is no inconvenience really , hope you get it sorted quickly before the giffgaff spammers arrive

:rotfl::rotfl:

Inner_Zone

thunderbird wrote: »

I was going to get O2 as I know we can get local coverage, but looking on their website it looks like you have to pay a certain amount per month?

No you don't have too. Only if you wish to get the discounted rates on calls or texts. If you only put a credit on you will be charged normal rates instead of discounted rated.

thunderbird wrote: »

In the past I have had phones where I've put about £10 on every 6 months and it just keeps carrying the balance over each month if not used. do they no longer exist like this?

Yes they still exist on all networks just not advertised. Credit lasts upto 180 days (varies by network) and provided at least one chargeable call or text is made during the 180 days the credit does not expire as long as this is repeated.

Inner_Zone

ridethelightning wrote: »

Why are there so many folk against giffgaff here? For occasional use they will definitely be the cheapest and credit will last 6 months with no use.

Because posters keep posting referral links which earn them money, but fail to mention it to the OP they are replying too.

thunderbird

Inner_Zone wrote: »

No you don't have too. Only if you wish to get the discounted rates on calls or texts. If you only put a credit on you will be charges normal rates instead of discounted rated.



Yes they still exist on all networks just not advertised. Credit lasts upto 180 days (varies by network) and provided at least one chargeable call or test is made during the 180 days the credit does not expire as long as this is repeated.

Thanks - that's good news, sounds like the easiest option for me.

MorrisonsEmployee

Other cheap mobile networks to consider -

Tesco Lite, Asda Mobile, Ikea Family Mobile, iCard Mobile....

DUTR

ikati5 wrote: »

giffgaff are not spam but a lot of people who missed out and signed up to expensive competitors like to poo poo them, its just sour grapes. Have a look at their website and make your own informed decision. They run on the o2 network so you are getting the same service.

Whatever you decide, make sure the network you choose has adequate coverage for your area, if he has an emergency he'll want a phone that works.

I have had a look at the website, they are not the automatic cheapest choice and that is where people have to make their own descision on that.
Last month I sent 780txt 50 mms and used 91mb of data, how much would that have cost me on GG?

ridethelightning

It is true that it is not automatically the cheapest, but as the OP is after one for occassional use, I'd assume it will only be used for the odd text and phone call. There is no network that comes close to the cost of texts and minutes.

I have never posted my referral link, just advise that they could be the cheapest option and are worth a look. Most people have not heard of them so may miss out on a great deal if they dont consider them as an option.