Who to use After Sains ? My TPO experience.

The_Last_Username

Registration Update:

I bought a dual-sim Nokia old-style "bar" style phone - as a "spare" and a back-up, thinking it will be handy as the family port numbers over (when our credit is used up) and being dual-sim it MIGHT have its' uses.

So, inserted sim & made sure there was a signal then to the TPO site to register. Straightforward enough with the caveat that you do need to use the email which you gave when you first requested the sim; alternates don't seem to get recognised. This then creates your online account, followed by top-up options.

Initial top-up via card is easy enough (if still a little old-fashioned and "clunky") and the top-up itself took (in my case) about 45 minutes to register both on my account AND on the phone, though you do get a receipt immediately via email.

When topping up by card as I did, it seems that you have an option for "auto top-up" where (the site says) once your account falls below £2 credit, a top-up is automatically taken.
Options for this include: from once up to four times per month; and top-up from £10 to £25 in £5 increments.

Okay, so that is different to the 30-day rolling top-up I became used to with Sainsburys but it may prove useful; we'll see.
I'm not sure how that's going to work effectively on the medium-users' phone, as bundles are applied and used; it may be a while before I get the opportunity to try the "auto top-up" system out.

The initial "My TPO" page of the online account provides options for enabling this auto top-up, as well as displaying your current balance and displaying the available bundles and top-up option.

So far then, seems straightforward enough.
As I have said before, the site is a little "clunky" but tbh it's not as "buggy" as I always found Sainsburys Mobile to be.
And I have not had need to contact Customer Care, so no experience of their efficacy (or otherwise).
Oh btw, on an older-style Nokia anyway it seems that TPO's numbers (Voicemail; Customer Care etc.) are not already either contained on the sim card OR imported as settings (via text or ?) -
no "biggie" but you do have to remember to put them into your phone.

I will update again as I use the network/site more, which may not be for a month or so since we all have lots of credit left at at SainsMob.
Also as I port over the numbers; I will eventually have experience of porting three numbers over meaning (perhaps) a better idea of TPO's efficiency at this.

Meantime if you have any questions about using The People's Operator that you think I may be able to help with, just post on here please.

System

I thought TPO meant The Post Office :rotfl:

The_Last_Username wrote: »

Registration Update:

I bought a dual-sim Nokia old-style "bar" style phone - as a "spare" and a back-up, thinking it will be handy as the family port numbers over (when our credit is used up) and being dual-sim it MIGHT have its' uses.

So, inserted sim & made sure there was a signal then to the TPO site to register. Straightforward enough with the caveat that you do need to use the email which you gave when you first requested the sim; alternates don't seem to get recognised. This then creates your online account, followed by top-up options.

woody2234

Its called THE PEOPLES OPERATOR and its on the EE network.

https://www.thepeoplesoperator.com/

It looks good

System

EE seems to love MVNOs

woody2234 wrote: »

Its called THE PEOPLES OPERATOR and its on the EE network.

https://www.thepeoplesoperator.com/

It looks good

mchale

woody2234 wrote: »

Its called THE PEOPLES OPERATOR and its on the EE network.

https://www.thepeoplesoperator.com/

It looks good

A word of advice before you join, try ringing them to see if you can talk to anyone

TadleyBaggie

I've just moved my wife's contract to TalkMobile from Giff Gaff(because we have a lousy O2 signal at home but Vodafone is fine). Low user so the £7 plan is fine. SIM turned up next day, number port from Giff Gaff happened the day after. So far no problems.

The_Last_Username

mchale wrote: »

A word of advice before you join, try ringing them to see if you can talk to anyone

I get where you're coming from.
BUT given that they (The People's Operator) have a Facebook page -
I have found in the past that EVERY COMPANY I have EVER had to message via Facebook, gets answered (satisfactorily too, I might add) very quickly. :cool:

Anyway, I have decide that I will start porting numbers over this coming week.

reddwarf2002

Received the Co-op mobile sim a couple of days ago. Rang customer services to ask whether you can view balance by registering online - unfortunately the lady didn't know. Got onto the subject of topping up and she did say that there was an issue with Paypoint top-ups lately.

Went to my local Asda where I normally shop and asked for a top-up voucher but the lady refused to serve me because it was a competing company. I was slightly cheesed off but decided not to make a scene of it.

Next port of call was a newsagent (paypoint) where the lad behind the counter was little unsure because when he clicked on the Co-op voucher on his machine it then displayed "Transtel". He asked me whether that was correct as it is not refundable - my reply was that I didn't know as had never topped up before. In the end I told him I would have to check and come back. So that was a bit of a palava.

Today I went to do some shopping at my local Asda and decided to try again at the counter. This time the gentleman DID serve me. Phew!!

It did cross my mind that in an emergency situation this scenario might not be ideal. But it's for a family member just to receive calls so should not need to top up too often - and for their situation per second billing offered by Sainsbury's was ideal. Unfortunately Co-op (and Virgin) are the only other operators that do this.

The_Last_Username

Update:

Registered a 2nd sim with The People's Operator this morning and topped-up £10. Again, seems to take 45 minutes or so between online top-up and balance showing on phone or online account - and again you DO get an e-receipt.
The balance (on both registered to date) has been doubled by TPO to £20. :j

Phoned SainsMob and got PAC immediately, then (after department transfer) arranged refund. Was very clearly offered 3 options; gift card/Nectar/cheque ; and all done within 5 minutes!
Oh I am sorry to be leaving Sainsburys Mobile; they have always been GREAT when I have needed to use them.

So, used The People's Operator online chat thingy to arrange PAC number transfer - very efficient and fast.
Informed that the transfer would take place on Tuesday morning ........ so the next update will be after that.

I have to say that - whilst I have not actually had to phone TPO Customer Care - I am finding the registering and transfer of numbers quite easy and painless.
The online chat system worked well for me, in this instance - and for me is an option I prefer above having to phone people.

susanxx

I have been a customer of Sainsbury mobile for some time. Was with Asda mobile prior but objected to costs to retrieve voicemail or speak to customer service. Am now looking for new operator(have looked into Co-Operative mobile service) but one thing is bugging me more than the messing about in changing operators. I have given money in good faith to Sainsburys to provide me with a service. They are terminating that service, they have given me £5 on my Nectar card to compensate for loss of money, but I don't feel that I should be the one losing out as I have done nothing wrong. Who is right?