Warning with Tesco Mobile

MrWillyWonka

Firstly let me say that Tesco mobile mobile have excellent service (runs on the O2 network) and customer support is good.

We took out two new phone contracts on the 19th October, I was then dismayed to find that on the 23rd I was charged a whole month's mobile rental for just a few days.

As it turns out Tesco generates bills on the 23rd of every month for all customers regardless of the date the contract took effect.

Basically, with Tesco take out a contract on the 23rd to gain the most value. This shouldn't happen but it does (advisor said this is normal for Tesco). Saying that Tesco issued a partial refund within minutes on their online chat.

Hope this helps someone!

mobilejunkie

Not sure what you're on about. With just about all my contracts (and I've never used Tesco) the first bill and billing date is just a few days after connection and you are charged (pro rata) for the few days prior plus a full month in advance.

What's the difference and what's wrong with that??

MrWillyWonka

The bill generation date is the 23rd of every month for all customers. You get charged for a full month even if you only took out a contract a few days before the 23rd. The point is, Tesco does not charge pro rata, only the full amount plus a full month. I've used O2 and Vodafone and they've always done it pro-rata.

keith1950

Not sure what you're on about. With just about all my contracts (and I've never used Tesco) the first bill and billing date is just a few days after connection and you are charged (pro rata) for the few days prior plus a full month in advance.

Hi, when you take out a Tesco contract they charge you the 1st months line rental upfront at the checkout.

When you receive your 1st bill it charges 2 months line rental minus the upfront payment made at checkout.

We took out two new phone contracts on the 19th October, I was then dismayed to find that on the 23rd I was charged a whole month's mobile rental for just a few days.

Although this is different to most other mobile companies any outstanding amounts are paid when you later leave Tesco.

If you never leave then your account will always be more in credit than it would be with anyone else.

Its just a difference in their accounting structure , they are not trying to trick you.