Help with switching to PAYG

frogman_2

I have a Vodafone contract but I just don't use all the monthly minutes anymore so I am considering moving from a monthly contract to a PAYG.

I have a SE S700i which is almost 2 years old and am well out of my contract period. Ideally I'd like a modern handset that isn't locked (or is easy to unlock) and move to PAYG as soon as possible.

What are my best options? I was thinking of upgrading to the Samsung D900 and then in 12 months time moving to PAYG...is that the best route for me?

TIA!

reehsetin

how much are you paying currently?
how many mins and texts are you using
using any other features like wap?
what are vodafone offering you upgrade wise/cost of phone?

Llyllyll

Both my wife and I were on PAYG until 6 months ago. We changed to contract simply because it was the cheaper option.

We have a 250 minutes/100 texts contract, free phones, free 12 month contract (via cashback) and use lots of the inclusive minutes instead of our landline (thereby saving on the BT bill as well).

It may be worth checking what deals (inc. vodafone retention offer) are available at the moment.

frogman_2

reehsetin, here are the answers;

1. £30 a month
2. 100 mins / Zero texts
3. No other functions used but signed up for Vodafone Passport as I travel infrequently
4. Haven't checked yet...wanted to be prepared!

TIA!

reehsetin

if you are really using 100mins then at £0.35 per min which i think it usually is on paug to call other networks would be £35 top up a month so mixed with the fact you want a nice phone i wouldnt suggest staying on your current tariff (bad deal) or going on to paug,

it may be worth looking into cashback deals if you want to cut the cost,
e.g.
on e2save they have the samsung d900 on a £35 pm tariff, but its £500 mins, 250 extra landline mins, and 200 texts, it is 10 months at 99p on an 18m contract.
you pay £35 a month and at mons 4, 8 and 12 you send them your current bill and they gtive you a cheque, so it works out to 10months at 99p but essentially your line rental would come to:
(1 x 10) + (8 x 35) / 18 = £16.11 a month, which as i said if you use 100 mins this works out cheaper, but some people dont like cashback deals


in that case orange were giving £100 credit for giving in an old phone (no sending in bills or anything) in which case it averages out to about £19 a month for a £25 a month tariff which gives you (trying to remember off the top of my head) 175 mins any time/network mins, either 50 or 100 extra land line mins and 75 texts

you can go onto paugs which have deals on mins and texts but if you want a new half decent phone your looking at probably around £100 just for a new phone but a samsung d900 would cost at least £150 i think
so even if you only top up £10 a month on paug (think cheapest is t-mobile with like 12p per min which works out £10 gives you 83 mins)
(10 x 18) + 150 = £18 a month

so the even the orange way with the £100 credit back for an extra £1 pm you get double the mins and some texts,

ps. just giving the orange example as i know the deals simply but it just shows the concept and a way of thinking, im sure people will post deals on other networks, just something to think about

reehsetin

keep in mind if you change networks you should be able to keep your number

frogman_2

reehsetin, I'm wary of cashback deals but if I need to do that I will...where do I find out more about the Orange phone/credit deal?

Thanks for all your help; nice way of laying out my options...

reehsetin

its orange retail only that do it, the phone can be any old phone just has to turn on and have no big cracks in it, doesnt have to have manual, box or charger just the phone
just set up the contract in store and give the phone in either on the day or within the next two weeks, dont know when the offer is finishing though so might have to move quick to catch it
£100 is credited to your account within 2 months (just keep the receipt they give you with your old phones information on it in case of any problems)
all your bills are paid out of the £100 until the month finishes, so £25 a month line rental your looking at 4 months free.

no probs

PNEfan

If you have any services from NTL (phone / tv / broadband), I'd switch to the Virgin 300 x-net min and 300 texts deal (see NTL website) for £10 a month. No phone included - it's a sim only deal. Expires 31 March. And no cashback hassles. Can be cancelled on a month by month basis.

reduceditem

You could port you number to Tesco extra PAYG. If you set up an online direct debit of £15 a month you will actually only be charged £13.50 a month because they have a 10% off thing for a regular debit. Means you'll have 150 mins a month to call anyone anytime because for £15 (£13.50!) a month you get on the 'extra' tariff (all calls 10p/m, all texts 5p). In many ways better than most 'light user' contracts and this option is contract free (and no endless cashback hassle). You don't get a free phone but £20 off new phones at Tesco just now too. Just another option....
Whatever you decide, good luck.