PAYG at the end of a cashback deal and back again

bluep

There's lots of information on this in dribs and drabs here but nothing comprehensive, so I thought I'd start a thread to answer my questions (and those of others).

If you are coming to the end of a cashback contract but there is either nothing out there yet deal-wise that you like the look of, or the deal you want is with the same network....it is possible to use a PAC code, transfer to a PAYG sim for a while, then get a PAC code and take out a new contract with cashback deal.

1) which networks allow you to port to and from payg sims? i.e. will Voda accept a number port from PAYG (or is it only certain dealers that won't do Voda port-ins?).

2) Are there any network PAYG to avoid - i.e. any that are notoriously difficult to get a PAC code out of / unecessarily expensive / too budget to be a good service for the short time you are with them?

3) What is the minimum amount of time you have to stay with the PAYG sim? Is it a matter of a week or so once the port has taken place or does it need to be at least a month?

4) Has anyone had it all go wrong? Have you lost your prized number in the middle of all the back and forwards?

5) Which PAYG are generally the cheapest and best value for money? (Tesco value?)

If people could post their experiences and I will update this first post to relflect the "collective" information in a different colour to provide the answers to these questions and any more that come out in the thread.

bluep

Does no-one have any experiences doing this at all?

I know people on this thread have recommended Tesco Value for a quick sim bounce but how quickly will they hand out a PAC code if you then see a deal you like?

bazza1603

Hi,

I am in a similar situation. I cannot find a deal that I am happy with.

I have ported to Virgin for a few weeks and ported away again. I said it was bad reception and it didnot cause any issues.

I fancy Tesco mobile.

Regards

Baz

bluep

I spoke to Orange yesterday (who my contract is with that runs out shortly) and they actually advised that I port to orange payg and then port to a new orange contract through one of the cashback dealers!! Very enlightened - I guess the guy could see that he couldn't match them with retention deals and it was at the least best to get me to come back to Orange rather than another network.

coal32

Going from Orange contract to Orange payg - make sure you call them at least 30 days before contract ends as they say it take about 25 days for you to receive your payg sim. You need to register this sim, your number will be transferred to it. However I think you (not sure about this) should register on the day your contract ends to avoid early termination and loss of any cashback - can anyone confirm this? Last time I had the payg sim for 1 week before I requested PAC. PAc is sent by post

Going from Three contract to Three payg - easy once you get through the hard sell. No new sim required, they make the change over on the day your contract ends. Request of PAC less than a week into payg. Pac is sent by post

tripled

With Vodafone I never needed a pack to downgrade last time I did this (a few years ago mind). I just phoned up and they agreed in 30 days I would be moved to pay as you go. No new sim or anything.

jatt

Hi,

I have ported to Virgin PAYG from o2 contract and requested a new PAC code from Virgin on the very next day after my no was ported on to Virgin. They did it straight away n i went back to O2 without any problems in 2-3 weeks.

Hope it helps

Jatt

vertical_fool

I didn't think you could port numbers to the same provider e.g. orange to orange.

I'm on a Three contract at the moment (out of contract), so could I port to Three PAYG and then back onto a new Three contract keeping my number and allowing me to go through Quidco for the new contract?

How much would it cost me to go on the PAYG and what times do I need to be aware of in regard to get PAC's transferring contract. ie.

When should I get the PAYG sim? How do I get a PAC for this? When?

When should I take out a new monthly contract etc?

Thanks

Vertical

icefall

I have just started a Three contract and when I asked to port my payg sim number, they said yes providing it isn't Three. (It wasn't, so its currently porting).

I'd double check first before attempting it with Three.

coal32

vertical_fool wrote: »

I didn't think you could port numbers to the same provider e.g. orange to orange.

I'm on a Three contract at the moment (out of contract), so could I port to Three PAYG and then back onto a new Three contract keeping my number and allowing me to go through Quidco for the new contract?

How much would it cost me to go on the PAYG and what times do I need to be aware of in regard to get PAC's transferring contract. ie.

When should I get the PAYG sim? How do I get a PAC for this? When?

When should I take out a new monthly contract etc?

Thanks

Vertical

you can only go from contract to payg with the same provider not payg to contract.
you'll have to request a PAC and transfer to another network (payg) and transfer back to your new three contract.

vertical_fool

coal32 wrote: »

you can only go from contract to payg with the same provider not payg to contract.
you'll have to request a PAC and transfer to another network (payg) and transfer back to your new three contract.

So could I transfer from Three contract straight to PAYG on a different network and from there onto a new Three contract? Thus cutting out the step onto the Three PAYG.

Whichever way I do it was is the shortest time period and cost of doing this?

I can then decide whever its best doing this or just getting another contract with another network.

Thanks