Tell me about TalkMobile - thinking about a contract for sons birthday

buscape

easy wrote: »

Yep, I am aware of that possibility, and it is part of the reason I didn't just 'go for it' when I saw the deal. BUT I also think that children learn responsibility by being given responsibility. He is a clever lad, and we would explain the consequences of going over his limits (phone confiscation and paying from his savings), and show him how to check his balance.

In that case, the Talkmobile contract is the one to go for. The contracts I posted were more about keeping the risk as low as possible.

Guys_Dad

easy wrote: »

BUT I also think that children learn responsibility by being given responsibility. He is a clever lad, and we would explain the consequences of going over his limits (phone confiscation and paying from his savings), and show him how to check his balance.

That's only one possibility. The other is losing it and having someone rack up £00's of call charges before he has noticed it gone.

The £1 per month saving or so would be wiped out in 24 hours.

Strongly advise going for a capped contract if you don't want PAYG, (although GiffGaff seem to offer virtually the same as a capped contract with DD top up.)

Paul_Varjak

Even sensible lads can get their phone stolen, so you could still be hit with a huge bill!

I would go with Ovivo. The SIM card costs £5 and you get 200 minutes/month, 200 texts/month and 500MB/month data for no monthly outlay whatsoever! It is all supported by adverts on the phone. Calls outside the monthly allowance are just 6p/minute on PAYG.

To use Ovivo you will need an Android, iOS or Windows 7 smartphone. Cheapest will be Android of course. Virgin do one for £50, and it is pretty good (assuming it can be unlocked). A better phone would be with Huawei Ascend G300 for £100. This can easily be unlocked for a fiver on eBay (I did mine yesterday).

DealorNoDeal

As mentioned, get a cap and get insurance

AndysDad

HappyMJ wrote: »

Reception is the same as Vodafone.

CS...well I've had them for a while and never had to contact.

They don't cap and that is extremely important for getting a contract for someone else.

If you really really want to go down that route then is 27 pence a month too much? It's complex but it's the cheapest...it's a Samsung Galaxy Y which isn't a terrible phone. It isn't great either but it is a smartphone.

See http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/samsung-galaxy-y-7-50-24m-mobiles-co-uk-only-27p-via-redemption-1247093

That deal is no longer available,only 100 mins and 250Mb data now.

easy

Guys_Dad wrote: »

That's only one possibility. The other is losing it and having someone rack up £00's of call charges before he has noticed it gone.

The £1 per month saving or so would be wiped out in 24 hours.

Strongly advise going for a capped contract if you don't want PAYG, (although GiffGaff seem to offer virtually the same as a capped contract with DD top up.)

so you don't put passcodes and sim lock codes on your phones then ??

thor

Paul_Varjak wrote: »

Even sensible lads can get their phone stolen, so you could still be hit with a huge bill!

I would go with Ovivo. The SIM card costs £5 and you get 200 minutes/month, 200 texts/month and 500MB/month data for no monthly outlay whatsoever! It is all supported by adverts on the phone. Calls outside the monthly allowance are just 6p/minute on PAYG.

To use Ovivo you will need an Android, iOS or Windows 7 smartphone. Cheapest will be Android of course. Virgin do one for £50, and it is pretty good (assuming it can be unlocked). A better phone would be with Huawei Ascend G300 for £100. This can easily be unlocked for a fiver on eBay (I did mine yesterday).

I've seen ovivo mentioned countless times here but have not really paid much attention but as my contract is almost up, I am having serious thoughts about maybe going payg so can I ask if I am understanding this right - With Ovivo you do not not need to pay anything again after the initial fiver as long as you stay within your minutes? If so then that is increadible value. Also are the ads a problem?

gnus

thor wrote: »

With Ovivo you do not not need to pay anything again after the initial fiver as long as you stay within your minutes?

Correct, you just need to use it once every 60 days to keep the sim active, eg send or receive call or text / use internet.

I'm on my 3rd lot of 200 minutes. so far 600 minutes for a fiver.

thor wrote: »

are the ads a problem?

No.

easy

hi guys, it's me again. I didn't buy back in August, but am still considering.

According to TalkMobile on Twitter, they will cap contracts, so I still think one of their deals may be an option.

@xxzxxxxx
@TalkmobileUK my teenage son wants a smartphone. Do you cap the charges on your tarrifs?
Talkmobile ‏@TalkmobileUK
@xxzxxxxx Hi , yes we can, call us on 0800 049 4401 to chat to our Pay Monthly sales team so they can set it up.

I'm intending to ring and check they will cap the Smart Plan 250 contract.

Can someone explain how mobile.co.uk cashback by redemption works pls .

mobilejunkie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/558661

One thing to watch; changing the tariff will invalidate the cashback - though capping it (IF possible) might not. The question about how it works isn't as important as covering yourself if/when you do it - and at every stage. Recently they are in a mess again. You can also expect a variety of conflicting (and some incorrect) instructions - and the t&c are straightforward provided nothing goes wrong AND you can come to terms with the direct contradiction in one part of them regarding "month 1". Do a LOT of research.