GiffGaff not as good as it seems BEWARE

lyonacre

Hi,
Followed advice and decided that moving to GG at the end of my contract would be a good idea, perhaps even treat myself to a new phone!

Before committing I decided to get a SIM card and try it out.

Took 3 attempts to get a card delivered
When card arrived I couldn't activate it for some time because the "top up" process was not working.
Finally got registered and bought a £10 "goodie bag" which gave me 250 minutes, unlimited text and IMPORTANTLY unlimited mobile internet - that is to say you can't use the phone as a hot spot for computers to access the web.
All seemed OK and I spent a weekend playing from Friday to Sunday and put the phone to one side.
To my complete surprise the next Friday I got an email saying I had "abused" the data rules - I hadn't - and all data use was barred.

Now GG don't have phone support, you have to use the web and aa "ask an agent" funtion to sort things out. Which I did with the promise of response within 24 hours. That was Friday 4/11. Its now Monday 7/11 and still no response and the phone is still not working!

What a good job I didn't commit!

Looks like the "unlimited" data is a bit of a con!

If you are thinking of a move and data is important TREAD CAREFULLY

bengalknights

I used giffgaff and have used unlimited data to good use sometimes upto 15gb in a month as its all been via a phone nothing has been said and many other users have done the same.

Its only when tethering is done that data bars are used as only the now created gigabags allow this.

Personally ive had no problems as yet with them and the only other network that offers the same data is 3.

sillygoose

Conversely, I requested a sim card once using the' random pick' referral system on the support forum so I and some random referral person both got an extra £5 credit for free. It arrived in 4 days with a really good new number.

Setup online in minutes and the android phone got all the settings automatically nothing to do. Has been working perfectly since, gave up on using wifi as it kills the phone battery quickest and so do all internet over 3G which is left on, its set to check/download numerous email accounts every 10 minutes.

Its all been working without fault although I understand there have been some website glitches recently its not caused me any problems.

At first it was a bit annoying that Giffgaff sent lots of 'helpful info' type sms messages but these have stopped now.

The other sort of annoyance is that if you ask a question on the help forum you will get a good answer very quickly. But then it keeps going! as many seem incapable/unwilling to reading anything after the opening post and insist on keep posting the same answers to the original post and not reading further question you add in.

sdduk

You must have been tethering which means No using you phone as a modem to use the internet on your computer

Like bengalknights said you cannot tether with goodybags and that is why you were barred

if you stick to the rules everything would have been ok

I myself have had no problem with GG and been with them for about 6mths now and had good advise from the forum

The only downside is everything is done over the internet and there is No phone number to ring but that don't bovver me.

jenniewb

sdduk wrote: »

You must have been tethering which means No using you phone as a modem to use the internet on your computer

Like bengalknights said you cannot tether with goodybags and that is why you were barred

if you stick to the rules everything would have been ok

I myself have had no problem with GG and been with them for about 6mths now and had good advise from the forum

The only downside is everything is done over the internet and there is No phone number to ring but that don't bovver me.

Only because GG is something I had been thinking about and am now worried: The OP did say she put the phone aside for the weekend (unused?) and then got the message after this- so it had been unused this time yet still abusing the service? The OP also said clearly that it was for mobile internet only and was aware of this- so did not teather?

Does this happen frequently?

neil40

This is the first case i have heard of like that.They genuinely wont bother you until you hit 20gb.Then if you can prove your usage is through a phone,you are free to continue surfing.

If you are using 20gb on a phone,you really need to get out more!

peachyprice

jenniewb wrote: »

Only because GG is something I had been thinking about and am now worried: The OP did say she put the phone aside for the weekend (unused?) and then got the message after this- so it had been unused this time yet still abusing the service?

I don't think that's what OP said at all, they said they spent the whole weekend playing, then put the phone aside.

lyonacre wrote: »

All seemed OK and I spent a weekend playing from Friday to Sunday and put the phone to one side.

So, not really suprising they got a snotty message!

Neil49

jenniewb wrote: »

Only because GG is something I had been thinking about and am now worried: The OP did say she put the phone aside for the weekend (unused?) and then got the message after this- so it had been unused this time yet still abusing the service? The OP also said clearly that it was for mobile internet only and was aware of this- so did not teather?

Does this happen frequently?

Did the user tether or not? They haven't responded since the original post so we don't really know but the actual phrase used was -

" - that is to say you can't use the phone as a hot spot for computers to access the web."

That us quite a strange way to phrase it because on my phone (which uses O2 and allows tethering) you can both connect your pc directly to the phone (ie tether) and also use the phone as a wireless hotspot (which is the phrase used) which allows connectivity via wifi. Either option is not allowed with giffgaff.

I was previously with giffgaff anf only switched because I wanted the ability to tether and the O2 package had other offerings which were beneficial to me.

I found giffgaff very good and would not let this query put you off switching to them. No. they don't offer weekend support but most issues are quickly resolved and the user forum is very good (sometimes too good with all the responses you get).

I am sure that giffgaff would investigate in depth before cutting someone off, hence the delay in anything happening until the Friday.

If you don't like them then just move to another provider. After all, they don't tie you in with a contract!

david29dpo

I too have given up With GG. My number was not ported when they said it was! Gone back to o2

ninjajane

giffgaff doesn't work well with iphones it seems. My phone can see an O2 signal but refuses to make calls and texts. As its a micro sim (apples fault not gg's) I can't put it in my old phone. The GG site has gone down now with 'gremlins' and I don't have a phone. Trying to find answers on the net, and have ended up moaning instead

Going to tesco or O2 tomorrow

bulktrans

i topped my account yest .. a new account .. tried using it with new iphone now and I can't get my phone working ....... the site does not even recog my username