Changing mobile provider and not getting charged twice for 1st month? 5 May 2021 at 3:29PM in Mobiles 5 replies 278 views

Ginger_chap

Hi,
I'm with Vodaphone (me and 2 sons). I want to reduce monthly bills by transfering to 'Sim only'. The phones we have are fine for reuse. I've been looking at Smarty accounts (looks good and great reviews). My questions are
1) If I request PAC code via Smarty and transfer number iI think will be paying for 2 accoount for the first month (my 30days notice with Vodaphone and 1st month wiht Smarty. 
2) Also will the PAC code activation, auotmatically cancel my Vodaphone account?
Any help on this would be appreciated...... Thanks 

akw2420

Request your PAC's from Vodafone.
At around 10 days before the PAC's run out order your new Smarty sims and once they arrive use the PAC's to transfer before the 30 days are up.
If you time it right you shouldn't have much more than a weeks overlap.
If you run it any closer you run the risk of the PAC's going over the time limit and having to request new ones along with an extra month on your contract.

J_B

also, making sure that your phones aren't locked to Voda

JohnM5206

I did not have this problem when I moved two phone contracts to a new provider.
Request the PAC from your Vodafone. Becasue you have more than one number you will need to speak to them, cannot be done by text.
Once you give the PAC to the new provider, they will arrange to transfer the number to your new SIM. This usually happens next day. At that point, Vodafone will cease charging the old accounts
OFCOM site states
"Avoiding double charges when switching

Ofcom has banned mobile providers from charging for notice periods that run after the switch date. You will need to give your new provider the PAC or STAC switching code, so your old and new providers can make sure there is no double payment."

akw2420

In the OP's situation it's a case of timing things correctly so he physically  receives his new sims before his PAC runs out so there has to be a few days leeway which means a few days overlapping costs but it will be minimal.

JohnM5206

no timing is needed - Order Pac, Order new SIM. When new SIM arrives put into phone and then submit PAC to new provider, if its a weekday the transfer happens next day and on that day old billing stops. You may be charged from Day0 (order day of new SIM) but thats all.
There can be no extra/rental charges on old account once the number is taken over by new provider.