Have you regretted switching tariff from monthly SIM-only to Pay As You Go?

Saver84

Has anyone here switched from a monthly SIM-only plan to a Pay As You Go (PAYG) plan, then later regretted it? If so, why?

Right now, I am on a really old EE monthly plan, paying approx £25 a month (2 GB data, unlimited minutes, unlimited texts).
Im thinking of switching to an EE PAYG plan which costs £15 (8 GB data, unlimited minutes, unlimited texts).

My aim in switching to a PAYG plan is to save money and eventually buy my first property and leave home. However, the only reason why Im worried about having a PAYG plan is because the last time I was on one of those, I was a teenager and times (and most probably the fine print rules) have definitely changed! Im worried about not being made aware of a rule in the PAYG terms and conditions (e.g. "you must do XYZ every 3 months") which results in me losing my mobile number. Ive had my mobile number for about a decade, and do not want to start having to use a different number because of an oversight or clumsy mistake. Losing my mobile number is my biggest worry, and is the reason why I have procrastinated for years on end.

My plan is to top up my PAYG every 3 or 4 months, just to show that my mobile phone number is active. Im excited about saving a lot of money, but am a little scared. Switching to PAYG is a big step for me to take

Any thoughts would be much appreciated. 

Thank you!

graham47

Sounds to me like you are proposing to move to an EE ‘payg’ BUNDLE. which you would need to renew EVERY month !  That’s not quite the same as ‘true’ PAYG !

You don’t give enough information, e.g. what other networks can you receive where you most need it, what is your usage like (sounds like you don’t need more than 2GB data every month anyway).

 I think you need to better assess your true needs, look at the article on the main site then move to that (there’s plenty of advice there on how to port your number too).

[Deleted User]

You are paying way too much. If I was paying 25 quid a month I would want a top end phone with that.
You can switch to a different network and keep your number.
I am sim only on Virgin with 2 gb data and unlimited texts and 2500 minutes for 6 pounds a month.

Swoosh84

Have you looked into GiffGaff, I switched to them about 6 years back and they have been exceptionally good. Its the only provider I don't switch away from every year to make savings.

For £10pm they offer 10gb data + Unlimited minutes and texts. 

Swoosh84

Should also add, in my entire time with GiffGaff I have never topped up once.

J

muffinhead

Saver84 said:

Im thinking of switching to an EE PAYG plan which costs £15 (8 GB data, unlimited minutes, unlimited texts).

You can save even more money and get that bundle on Smarty (Three network) for £7 per month here: https://smarty.co.uk/plans/8gb-data

Or if you are really cutting back on usage you can still get an O2 Classic PAYG sim (3p per min, 2p text, 1p per MB) from a few sellers on Ebay for 20p. See here and here. You only have to make a chargeable call / text every six months to keep the sim active, no need for regular topups, so your initial £10 topup could last some time.

matelodave

I've been on paygo since I retired over 20 years ago, been with Virgin, T-Mobile, Asda, Vodafone and now  withThree and still got my original number.The phone gets used enough so I dont have to make a deliberate call once every six months.

I just top up £10 or £15 whenever my credit gets down to around £10, last time I topped up was in 2019 and I've still got around £20 credit. I'll put a bit more on if I'm going abroad and want to ensure that I dont run out (although I dont generally make calls or use data when I'm away) - I'm presently with Three with their 1-2-3 sim, but I'll probably swap when my credit runs down as it's not the really good deal that was now they've cranked up their call charges. 

Rodders53

matelodave said:I'm presently with Three with their 1-2-3 sim, but I'll probably swap when my credit runs down as it's not the really good deal that was now they've cranked up their call charges. 

Their 5p/10p/10p sim I think now   My just over £5 credit soon went at those rates.

@ OP
Lebara MSE blagged 3GB data unlimited calls and texts is £5 per 30 days;  and there are other sim only deals including Plusnet using the EE network 3GB, unlimited for £6 or 10GB, unlimited at £8.
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cheap-mobile-finder/sim-only/ has the deals.
DO though renegotiate with EE for a lower cost contract deal.  They really ought to be able to do better if they try?

in_the_Cotswolds

Have a look at uswitch.  This will give you an idea of what's available.

getmore4less

The first thing to do is work out your usage
and
what networks will work in your area

If you are on 2GB data now do you ever run out?

If not you are looking at £5pm max 
£10  will get you up to 30GB

if you do run out what do you think you use?
there might be a sweet spot between £5 and £10

if very low data use then there are options even cheaper with unlimited calls and text

I am looking at sky mobile at £42 for 3 years 100MB and extra data at £6/GB(does not time out)

If low everything then O2 classic is a good shout if you are going to be under £5pm

What phone do you have? there may be other options if looking to change

.

sdduk

matelodave said:

I've been on paygo since I retired over 20 years ago, been with Virgin, T-Mobile, Asda, Vodafone and now  withThree and still got my original number.The phone gets used enough so I dont have to make a deliberate call once every six months.

I just top up £10 or £15 whenever my credit gets down to around £10, last time I topped up was in 2019 and I've still got around £20 credit. I'll put a bit more on if I'm going abroad and want to ensure that I dont run out (although I dont generally make calls or use data when I'm away) - I'm presently with Three with their 1-2-3 sim, but I'll probably swap when my credit runs down as it's not the really good deal that was now they've cranked up their call charges. 

Three don't do the 3/2/1p anymore.... i have been with it from the start and have now been switch to the new tariff which is more expensive.