SIM only mobile: Virgin or PlusNet

[Deleted User]

Maidenover wrote: »

Everyone should be aware of the bad reviews - please read before jumping into this contract.

https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.virgin.com

wallofbeans wrote: »

But I think there are awful reviews for most of these mobile phone companies. They certainly have equally bad reviews for PlusNet:

https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/plusnetmobile.com

mije1983 wrote: »

As above, most providers have poor scores.

I always take sites like Trustpilot with a pinch of salt.

I've been with PN for 16(?) months since they launched (rebranded) the mobile service and have never had an issue.

I would place absolutely zero faith in Trustpilot I'm afraid.

[Deleted User]

wallofbeans wrote: »

I'm currently with GiffGaff and there have been no price increases at all in the last two years I've been with them.

Do you still receive the same (or more) allowances? Or is it a 'Heinz Baked Beans' job where they keep the price the same but put less beans and more sauce in?

d123

wallofbeans wrote: »

I'm currently with GiffGaff and there have been no price increases at all in the last two years I've been with them.

The secret might be the fact that Giffgaff only offers PAYG, it’s a bit like saying Three haven’t put an RPI increase on their PAYG add-ons either.

wallofbeans

Colin_Maybe wrote: »

Do you still receive the same (or more) allowances? Or is it a 'Heinz Baked Beans' job where they keep the price the same but put less beans and more sauce in?

I started off on the £12 tariff but they updated them and I could suddenly get more for less, so I moved down to the £10 tariff. So they have actually kept the prices the same and given me more for the money as time has gone on.

The only reason I am moving is that I can now get the same for £8 with Virgin or PlusNet. Otherwise, I can't complain about GiffGaff.

wallofbeans

d123 wrote: »

The secret might be the fact that Giffgaff only offers PAYG, it’s a bit like saying Three haven’t put an RPI increase on their PAYG add-ons either.

I don't consider it PAYG though. I pay £10 per month on a reoccurring payment. So I'm just paying monthly like any other contract, but also have the benefit of changing the tariff or leaving anytime I want.

Isn't that what PlusNet's 30 day contract is? If so, wouldn't it also avoid the RPI increases. Virgin used to do this to, but seem to have stopped recently.

AndyPK

I have one of the virgin 30 day contracts from 2 years ago? but it has the RPI clause in it.

wallofbeans

AndyPK wrote: »

I have one of the virgin 30 day contracts from 2 years ago? but it has the RPI clause in it.

Has the price gone up?

AndyPK

plusnet t&cs

9. Price changes
9.1. If you signed up for a plan where we provide a mobile phone or SIM only plan which had or has a minimum term (or upgraded or re-contracted to one of these plans) after 29 November 2016, your plan price includes an annual percentage price increase. The percentage price increase will take place in March of each year and will be equal to the annual Retail Price Index (RPI) percentage published by the Office for National Statistics in January of that year.

9.2. A rolling monthly SIM only plan that you can end at any time on 30 days notice, will not be subject to an increase linked to RPI in March but we may change your monthly plan price and other charges under paragraph 26.1.
9.3. If you receive a discount on your plan price this will not change. The price increase in March is applied to the standard plan price and then the same discount as before is applied afterward to calculate your new plan price.


9.5. You'll not be able to end our agreement under paragraph 26 where we increase your plan price under this paragraph. If we increase your plan price by more than the RPI figure or increase your plan price more than once a year paragraph 26.3 will apply and you may be able to leave without any fees.

section 26 not very interesting




Go with plusnet then

AndyPK

wallofbeans wrote: »

Has the price gone up?

Yes

AndyPK wrote: »

Last year my virgin £6/month deal went up by 18p.

So its ok for a couple of years and then move.

Anyway, go with plusnet

d123

wallofbeans wrote: »

I don't consider it PAYG though. I pay £10 per month on a reoccurring payment. So I'm just paying monthly like any other contract, but also have the benefit of changing the tariff or leaving anytime I want.

You might not, but thats all Giffgaff is, a PAYG service that you can recur a top up to buy an add on, just like PAYG add-ons offered by the other networks.

Isn't that what PlusNet's 30 day contract is? If so, wouldn't it also avoid the RPI increases. Virgin used to do this to, but seem to have stopped recently.

No, youre still signing up to a contract, just a 30 day one. They could still increase the prices, but as its a 30 day contract you can leave at any time with 30 days notice.