Tesco mobile safety buffer

chettysmith

I have 2 contracts with Tesco mobile but have HAD to take out a safety buffer (£2.50 each contract).
I definitely want my daughters mobiles capped but why can’t they just cap at the monthly payment? If they can stop usage outside of buffer, why can’t they just stop at the monthly rate?
Please don’t reply with “just don’t go into your buffer”! :eek:

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

Why not buy a PAYG? It caps itself!

Jon_01

Most billing systems don't run in real time, so there has to be a buffer.

Exemplar

We work with Affinity (used by Vodafone?) and it is not real time therefore a buffer is needed.

CH77

If it's because it doesn't work in real time, how is Tesco able to let you know when you are about to enter the safety buffer?

I have had several discussions with Tesco Mobile about this issue with no real explanation and no suggestions other than "buy extra data - it's cheaper than using the safety buffer". I have 4 phones on Tesco, 2 belonging to my children & it's impossible to get them not to use the buffer. As an adult it's easy to switch off data when it's running out, but I don't know any children/teenagers who do this, so it feels like a hidden charge if you have children with phones. I have occasionally bought extra data for my children and then they spend the safety buffer as well!

Not a very constructive response, sorry. I would love to know if any mobile companies allow you to avoid this buffer charge, or at least charge it at a reasonable rate (I think last time one of my children used this buffer the £2.50 lasted about 3 minutes).

[Deleted User]

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth wrote: »

Why not buy a PAYG? It caps itself!

Yep, Asda PAYG or Giffgaff.

sdduk

I thought Tesco capped your mobile if you ask them?
Didn't know you had to have a buffer.

I'm with Three and my mobile is capped and i know it is because i nearly went over my data but three turned it off until my next month allowance was put on was really happy because i didn't even know i had it.