Help I don't know where to start - really stuck and need advice

samcat_2

Help - I don't know where to start

My new employer has told me that I have to get a phone myself for business use. They will pay business calls from the bill but they will not pay the line rental.

At the moment I only have a pay as you go phone. I have always been given phones for business by my employers in the past. Now it looks as though my only option is to take out a contract in my name.

Is it possible to get a contract with free line rental? I'm not interested in free minutes as it's for business use, although free calls to private numbers might be worth considering.

I'm really stuck
I've never had to take out a contract before

medic1978

do you HAVE to get a contract?
why not just continue with PAYG?

samcat_2

I don't have a bill with PAYG which means I could not expense calls made as part of my job

JAYMARSH2005

You cant get free contracts but you can get deals where they offer you cashback. This works on this basis:- You pay the line rental (E.g £35 per month) and your cashback is paid in five equal instalments of £84.00 at months 4, 6, 8, 10. So when all your cashback is claimed your line rental will have cost nothing for the whole year. (You also get a free phone and free minuits to use and texts.

Hope this helps.

virgo17

samcat wrote:

My new employer has told me that I have to get a phone myself for business use. They will pay business calls from the bill but they will not pay the line rental.

I would think about a Virgin SIM and pay by direct debit. You pay no monthly fee and all calls appear on a statement sent to you every three months. Other than PAYG I cannot think of a current scheme that offers no line rental with full billing and direct debit.

V.

medic1978

samcat wrote:

I don't have a bill with PAYG which means I could not expense calls made as part of my job

With T-mobile PAYG you can sign up to manage your account online and download details of calls/costs whenever you want

The rates also seem reasonable: e.g. 12p/min any network anytime

samcat_2

Can you recommend a company offering cashback that isn't going to go bust? I think Watchdog did a story on cashback schemes that didn't pay out?

JAYMARSH2005

All the big companies are the best bet,Dial-a-phone,The Mobile outlet,E2Save, Car Phone warehouse etc.

samcat_2

I can't find a mention of 'cashback' or 'cash back' on the Carphone warehouse site. I looked at Virginmobile free billing which would be great except for dodgy reception.

JAYMARSH2005

Hi again samcat

Heres a link to an example of what the cashback offers are, this one is from the carphone warehouse :- http://shop.carphonewarehouse.com/pay-monthly/nokia/1600-black/o2/o23012/

The 11 months free line rental that it is saying is what the cashback is, you will have to pay line rental every month but you will get the cashback on the 4th, 8th and 12th month. So it works out after 12 months that you only pay for 1 month line rental.

Jay

sharkmark

I am not sure legally your employer is able to do this - was it part of your contract when you joined the company? They cannot simply expect you to part with your cash to buy a phone (or line rental in this case) this is THEIR responsibility.

I think this is disgraceful - which company is it (large household name) or small independent trader?

Imagine you fit windows for a living and they suddenly say that you have to buy your own van but they'll pay you petrol. Companies have to equip you with the correct tools for the job. It's their responsibility not yours. However if it is the company phone you cannot make personal calls without declaring it as a taxable benefit - (getting too complex here)

I'd refuse politely to buy one and explain they need to get you a company phone and take it up with your boss....if you get nowhere then contact your union.

Failing all else check our the CLEARANCE DEALS section of Carphone Warehouse - be careful on cheque backs - put a reminder on your calendar and you should get line rental almost free...