Best plan for parents (2 phones)? One uses data, one doesn't

savergrant

Can you post a link to that £3 tariff? I haven't been able to find it.
Agree 1pmobile payg would suit intermittent usage, but I was one of their customers who topped up £30 on the promise of quidco cashback which was never paid, then watched them change their t&c's to deduct £2,50 minimum each month, even when my usage was less than £1. Then when I wanted more data the credit had gone.
By all means topup £10 and see how long it lasts then decide whether payg, a regular plan, or an occasional bundle suits your usage best.

zagfles

savergrant said:

Can you post a link to that £3 tariff? I haven't been able to find it.

https://www.1pmobile.com/tariff-and-charges.taf

Unlimited calls and texts Boost     £3

Agree 1pmobile payg would suit intermittent usage, but I was one of their customers who topped up £30 on the promise of quidco cashback which was never paid, then watched them change their t&c's to deduct £2,50 minimum each month, even when my usage was less than £1. Then when I wanted more data the credit had gone.

Yes they did that with customers that joined before a certain date, not sure why, we'd joined after the cut off date so weren't affected, and new customers aren't subject to that I believe. Although I guess there's a risk they could change it for them too...

By all means topup £10 and see how long it lasts then decide whether payg, a regular plan, or an occasional bundle suits your usage best.

That's probably the best way

flaneurs_lobster

savergrant said:

Can you post a link to that £3 tariff? I haven't been able to find it.

It's a standard "boost", I can only see the details when logged in hence can't post link.

ProDave

zagfles said:

savergrant said:

"Otherwise it seems pointless getting a data package for someone that doesn't want/need data. If they did occasionaly need a small amount of data they can PAYG, eg 250Mb would cost £2.50 on 1pmobile."

Can you think of a provider who offers a calls/texts package with no data?
Otherwise it is straight payg, but likely to cost more than £2 pm in usage.

1pmobile do a £3 a month unlimited calls and texts package with no data, which doesn't require you to pay for a whole year, you can pay as when you think you'll make use of it.

But for a low user it's probably not worth bothering with any sort of package and just PAYG. With 1pmobile you can pay £30 a year and that gets you 3000 mins/texts over the year, so if like a lot of elderly people they hardly use their mobile while at home (because they have a landline) but maybe a lot when on holiday, they could eg use 1000 mins on a 2 week holiday and 2000 mins over the rest of the year and it would cost £30.

The mistake people often make comparing PAYG with packages is not accounting for intermittant use. Having 3000 mins/texts a year is a lot better than having 250 per month unless your usage is very consistent.

£3 per month is £36 per year.  for £36 per yer with 1p you can get unlimited texts, unlimited calls and 250mB per month.

We stopped using the landline for calls years ago, Either the calls are expensive, or an inclusive calls package is expensive so we use the mobiles for all outgoing calls. 

zagfles

ProDave said:

zagfles said:

savergrant said:

"Otherwise it seems pointless getting a data package for someone that doesn't want/need data. If they did occasionaly need a small amount of data they can PAYG, eg 250Mb would cost £2.50 on 1pmobile."

Can you think of a provider who offers a calls/texts package with no data?
Otherwise it is straight payg, but likely to cost more than £2 pm in usage.

1pmobile do a £3 a month unlimited calls and texts package with no data, which doesn't require you to pay for a whole year, you can pay as when you think you'll make use of it.

But for a low user it's probably not worth bothering with any sort of package and just PAYG. With 1pmobile you can pay £30 a year and that gets you 3000 mins/texts over the year, so if like a lot of elderly people they hardly use their mobile while at home (because they have a landline) but maybe a lot when on holiday, they could eg use 1000 mins on a 2 week holiday and 2000 mins over the rest of the year and it would cost £30.

The mistake people often make comparing PAYG with packages is not accounting for intermittant use. Having 3000 mins/texts a year is a lot better than having 250 per month unless your usage is very consistent.

£3 per month is £36 per year.  for £36 per yer with 1p you can get unlimited texts, unlimited calls and 250mB per month.

Which is why I wrote "which doesn't require you to pay for a whole year, you can pay as when you think you'll make use of it. ".  Not everyone has the same usage every month.

We stopped using the landline for calls years ago, Either the calls are expensive, or an inclusive calls package is expensive so we use the mobiles for all outgoing calls. 

Landline call prices have gone ridiculous over the last few years, we have a VOIP service that is reasonable, but don't use it much, as we use WhatsApp, messenger etc for video/voice calls to friends and family and only make actual phone calls to places like the doctors, bank, shops etc, which tend to be short. £10 VOIP topup lasts about a year.

But OPs parents still seem to be in the world of using calls rather than apps, so a calls package for them might be an idea, depending on their usage, or maybe PAYG would be better with the occasional boost if they expect high usage (eg going on holiday)

savergrant

I would guess the op's parents don't want to be logging into their account each month to purchase a boost, but might not want to commit to paying for a year upfront either. Really depends on their usage whether it is worth the hassle.

Grumpysally

I have both my parents on an Asda call and text only plan that is £4 a month each. They both have dumb phones though. There is a 3GB data plan for £5 a month https://mobile.asda.com/bundles/unlimited
Vodafone had my dad on some ridiculous monthly contract too. Then when it was time for his contact to be renewed they persuaded him to get a smart phone which he couldn't use, for an extra £4  a month for 3 years😠

KxMx

Honestly a rolling 30 day SIM contract with unlimited calls, texts and a small amount of data is the way to go. Shouldn't cost more than £5 per month. Easiest and simplest all round.