'Deal' doesn't (appear to) exist...

UKDeejay

I ordered a free PAYG SIM from '3' after reading this article -

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mobiles/best-pay-as-you-go-sim-cards/#occasional -

- on MSE.

It clearly states, under 'for occasional/backup use', that there is 'no minimum top-up' which is exactly what my elderly parents needed for an emergency/vehicle breakdown mobile phone.
On arrival, the packaging says '1 month expiry' which suggests you must top-up every 28/30 days!
'3' deny that they have any PAYG SIM deals with never-expiring credit and are blaming MSE as a third-party seller site! MSE have, so far, failed to respond to my email asking who is lying about this 'deal', '3' or MSE!

[Deleted User]

Almost certainly neither are lying.

It will simply be an error.

savvysalmon

They have two pay as you go options.

option 1: data packs like you mentioned.  £10+ a month.

option 2: pay as you go top up. 10p/min 10p/text 5p/mb

Packaging probably states option 1 as they want customers to opt for that.

savvysalmon

https://www.three.co.uk/payg-data-packs

I believe option 2 has to be used every 6 months. By used I mean making a call, text or using data.

edit: “If within a 180 days you have not made any chargeable events or activities (for example, made telephone calls, sent text or photo messages, accessed content using the internet or any other Three Services for which a charge is made), we may also suspend our Services or disconnect you.“

UKDeejay

savvysalmon said:

https://www.three.co.uk/payg-data-packs

I believe option 2 has to be used every 6 months. By used I mean making a call, text or using data.

edit: “If within a 180 days you have not made any chargeable events or activities (for example, made telephone calls, sent text or photo messages, accessed content using the internet or any other Three Services for which a charge is made), we may also suspend our Services or disconnect you.“

So, you think the SIM I have been sent is 'dual purpose'? It can either be used with a 'pack' - renewed on a monthly basis - or I can just buy the minimum £10 credit/top-up & hope that it doesn't 'expire' after 1 month? 'Clear as mud' from '3'!

UKDeejay

savvysalmon said:

https://www.three.co.uk/payg-data-packs

I believe option 2 has to be used every 6 months. By used I mean making a call, text or using data.

edit: “If within a 180 days you have not made any chargeable events or activities (for example, made telephone calls, sent text or photo messages, accessed content using the internet or any other Three Services for which a charge is made), we may also suspend our Services or disconnect you.“

The 180-day clause shouldn't be a problem. I'm sure I can get them to send at least 1 text every six months!

cx6

Not sure about Three but EE have the same dual-purpose SIM. It comes with a 'pack' pre-installed eg you buy the SIM with a £10 monthly renewable bundle or whatever

To switch it to normal PAYG you text 'stop pack' to 150 to switch it

https://community.ee.co.uk/t5/Pay-as-you-go/I-want-to-cancel-a-10-pound-renewal-pack-as-I-have-included-it/td-p/1033149

I suspect Three have a similar mechanism

savvysalmon

UKDeejay said:

savvysalmon said:

https://www.three.co.uk/payg-data-packs

I believe option 2 has to be used every 6 months. By used I mean making a call, text or using data.

edit: “If within a 180 days you have not made any chargeable events or activities (for example, made telephone calls, sent text or photo messages, accessed content using the internet or any other Three Services for which a charge is made), we may also suspend our Services or disconnect you.“

So, you think the SIM I have been sent is 'dual purpose'? It can either be used with a 'pack' - renewed on a monthly basis - or I can just buy the minimum £10 credit/top-up & hope that it doesn't 'expire' after 1 month? 'Clear as mud' from '3'!

Yes. As per the link I sent “Pay as you go like normal or get more with a Data Pack.”

As long as you top up and don’t accidentally buy the data pack it won’t expire after 1 month.

The link also contains an option to top up.