Some Qs on SIM only via mobiles.co.u

nash0819

I'm an existing Vodafone customer on SIM only, happy with the network and service, and like using EuroTraveller. I need to change contract to get more data and also to save money.

Mobiles.co.uk have a good cashback-via-redemption offer on a 6Gb data Vodafone SIM. £27 monthly down to £12 after cashback (or alternatively 3Gb data for £22 down to £9.50).

I am confident I can jump through the cashback hoops and I am happy to take the risk that the company doesn't go under.

Now a few questions that I hope you can help me with, as I can't find the answers elsewhere and don't want to call their expensive helpline:

1. Will my SIM contract be direct with M.C.U or do they open it with Vodafone on my behalf?

2 [similar to 1, I guess] Will I be able to continue to use the My Vodafone app on my smartphone via my existing Vodafone account, to track my usage?

3. Will I continue to be able to use EuroTraveller? And will there be a time delay before I can use it (some networks won't trust new contracts for a few months)?

4. If I went for the 3Gb option and find it's not enough data, would I be able to jump to the 6Gb option via M.C.U., or would it be the "pay Vodafone an extra tenner a month for 2Gb more" route (as I could do presently)?

Thanks in advance if anyone can help. I did see mention of an article that mobilejunkie has written on such redemption offers, but I couldn't find it.

Silk

MJ's Cashback guide is https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/558661=


The contract is through the third party


Are you doing it as an upgrade ie keeping your number with them ?
If so everything will remain with Vodafone as before

mobilejunkie

1) Vodafone.

2) Should be able to as it's an app not a bundle.

3) Have no idea, but presumably it's a general facility without changing the bundle. I'd suggest asking Vodafone, but IF you get an answer it won't mean much unless in writing, since their customer service is worse than non-existent and they either don't know what they're talking about or are quite happy to lie through their teeth if they don't know the answer or prefer to tell you what you'd like to hear.

4) No - and if you do change the bundle make sure you have it in writing first from Mobiles.co that it won't affect the cashback. Lowering it certainly would but don't change it upwards without their confirmation (which is likely to be forthcoming, though will be easier to obtain once you have the contract up and running through them).

nash0819

Silk, thanks for the link to MJ's guide. Having read that I may change my mind and go for the automatic cashback. It's £55 more expensive over 12 months but would remove a lot of hassle and should mean I don't get stiffed.

I do intend to it to work as an upgrade and keep my existing number, I'm just worried about that going smoothly. Going via M.C.U. and automatic cashback would save me £90 over the contract.

Mobilejunkie, thanks for your helpful advice. Having clicked through to the "start your order" page, there is a special box for existing Vodafone/EE customers: "If you have an existing CONTRACT in your name and with the network your order relates to, please provide your mobile number below. For EE orders this includes any existing Orange and T-mobile We are required by the network to provide this for credit check purposes."

Which would lead one to believe it will be a smooth transition, I guess I need to ask M.C.U. and Vodafone how the transfer process works. e.g. will my existing contract be automatically upgraded to the new one, with no need for me to do PAC codes (and time it right to avoid losing out on a month's contract).

EuroTraveller will be a general option; I'm already opted in so - if contract transition is smooth - won't be an issue.

Useful to know on the data upgrade. I need to make my decision on 3Gb or 6Gb in advance. Probably 3Gb as I just about cope with 500Mb at the moment, with much careful free Wifi usage!

Vodafone offer "unlimited" data for the first 3 months, so you can gauge your usage. Once I've received my automatic cashback (should do by then), I could then upgrade directly with them. and M.C.U. have no need to get involved.

mobilejunkie

If it's not an updgrade it is a NEW contract and will have a NEW number.

IF the cashback deal would cost the same as the non-cashback deal ignoring the cashback you'd have nothing to lose by going with the former.

I've never done an upgrade - and only used PACs for a handful of others when ordering for them and they insist on keeping their number. If it's a new contract to the same network (as opposed to an upgrade) you'd need to transfer your number twice - using a different network as a stepping stone. If it isn't an upgrade and you aren't going the PAC route you need to give 30 days' notice to terminate your existing contract - or it will continue after its minimum term until you do.

I currrently have 3 Vodafone contracts and always terminate exactly at the end of the minimum term and never use a PAC to transfer the number (though in the past Vodafone have let me convert the number to a PAYG instead).

keith1950

Hi, having reread your post I think the "special box for existing customers" has nothing to do with an upgrade but is purely to verify your credentials without the need for a full credit check.