One month rolling contract or a 24 month contract for a cheaper deal?

in_nunhead

Hi experts - I need some advice. I've finally got to the end of a very long and expensive relationship with T-Mobile. I'm looking for a SIM only deal for three phones, we need a decent allowance for calls and texts and a generous internet usage. Virgin and GiffGaff both have good, one month only contracts, but an agency has offered me £36.50 for unlimited calls and texts and 3GB internet. It's with either Vodafone or O2 BUT it's for a 24 month contract.

After years of long, torturous contracts with T Mobile, I'm reluctant to commit and the one month long seems more reasonable. GiffGaff also do free for 0800 which seems very civilised.

Am I being overly cautious about the 24 month deal? I've been with T Mobile since around 2005 so I've never done this before.

All the phones were bought independently of a mobile phone co, from Apple, so they should be unlocked, shouldn't they.

I hope you can help or advise...

MataNui

There is no harm in trying the monthly rolling contract first so you can confirm that coverage etc is what you need. With sim only you typically pay about £2 to £3 more a month for monthly rolling than 12 month deals.
I am assuming the £36 is for all 3 contracts. Either way i would be cautious about agency deals (unless you specifically contacted them) and 24 months for sim only is probably not that good a deal.

in_nunhead

Thank you so much for responding - I'm really bad at this kind of consumer choice stuff. I contacted them, as a FB friend forwarded them to me - it's his son, so I'm okay with that. But I agree and I think you're right, 24 months is a long time. The £36 IS for all three, yeah.

in_nunhead

If you've got any views on Virgin vs giffgaff, I'd be very grateful, though I don't want to push my luck...

Pippin12

I've left a Vodaphone contract for a 30 day rolling contract with Virgin - £15 for unlimited calls, texts and data. I couldn't be happier and it's so good not to have signed my life away just to get a good deal. Tbh I don't think a 24 month contract for sim only is a good deal. RE Giffgaff, I can't comment as I've never been with them.

in_nunhead

Thank you. Confirming my belly instinct as well. Cheers.

MataNui

I think the only reason people sign up for 24 month contracts is because they get promised shiny new smartphones. Since you already have the phones you want i cant actually see any reason for that length of a commitment. 12 months is OK, I have one sim only 12 month contract on my daughters phone (Orange). My 24 month with voda is up in a couple of months. I will be getting my pac next month and there is nothing they could offer me to make me take another 24 month commitment with them. I will be going sim only, rolling monthly with another provider.

NFH

Don't commit to anything more than 6 months, and definitely not beyond 12 months. Prices are bound to fall soon, particularly for 4G as competition intensifies. Giffgaff is a good option; they will launch 4G in March.

Frozen_up_north

In these changing times, I wouldn't touch a long term deal with a barge pole. The shorter one month rolling SIM only contracts mean you can swap networks without the pain of being locked into a long term plan.

You can check out all four networks for user measured call and data coverage at: http://www.rootmetrics.com/uk/

in_nunhead

Thank you all. My mind is made up now, and I think giffgaff won the deal - if I can work out how to join. A tremendous help on here, really, very much appreciated!

macman

in_nunhead wrote: »

Thank you all. My mind is made up now, and I think giffgaff won the deal - if I can work out how to join. A tremendous help on here, really, very much appreciated!

Just order your SIM online and off you go:
https://giffgaff.com/orders/free-sim