Life sim and credit check?

ollski

I recently bought my daughter an iphone for her birthday and just needed a payg sim card. Did a quick search and life came up with a well priced sim. I went through the application process and at the end after providing bank details and debit card details it told me it was going to do a credit check....why?, its a 30 day rolling contract paid in advance they are not providing me with any credit. As if credit checks are not already hugely invasive on our lives we now need to be checked to buy a product with our own money from our pocket?. Giffgaff to the rescue, bought a card, loaded it up and we're away.

bazzyb

Gifgaff is pay as you go.
Life sim is contract (30 day rolling).

That's why Gifgaff don't need to do a credit check but Life do.

ollski

bazzyb wrote: »

Gifgaff is pay as you go.
Life sim is contract (30 day rolling).

That's why Gifgaff don't need to do a credit check but Life do.

Thanks bazzy but life is paid in advance so they dont provide credit, worst case scenario they may be left 1 month behind on their 30 day notice but this could simply be covered by charging 2 months to start. I just dont see the point.

mobilejunkie

All contracts charge in advance. That has nothing to do with it.

tonylemesmer

ollski wrote: »

Thanks bazzy but life is paid in advance so they dont provide credit, worst case scenario they may be left 1 month behind on their 30 day notice but this could simply be covered by charging 2 months to start. I just dont see the point.

Any charges you rack up during the month are on credit surely, only the rental is paid up front.

ollski

They do a cap so you cant exceed your credit or accept a certain excess value, maybe this part would need to be credit checked if you decided you wanted to use it?

sdduk

its so they can pick and choose who they want and if you pay on time.
Just because you give them bank details it don't mean they are going to get paid each month because the money might not be in the Bank when payment is due people do just stop paying and then they have to chase them for the money.

You could also have a perfect credit file and still get turned down as so many people do.

ollski

I know but you pay in advance so if you dont pay you dont get your next months allowance. I dont really care about Life sims, I care that credit files and scores are being searched for such stupid liitle purchases.

SuperAllyB

ollski wrote: »

I know but you pay in advance so if you dont pay you dont get your next months allowance. I dont really care about Life sims, I care that credit files and scores are being searched for such stupid liitle purchases.

But you can go over your limit or spend money on extras with a contract. Ok with Life there is a (default) £5 cap but it's still using services before you pay for them.

bazzyb

ollski wrote: »

Thanks bazzy but life is paid in advance so they dont provide credit

Incorrect, it's a credit contract not pay as you go.

ollski

Ok, I stupidly thought credit was receiving something before you paid for it. Never mind, whatever the terminology I wont be battling to become a customer of a service provider.