Looks a great deal...where's the catch

Tizz

Hi this is my first post - I hope its alright to start a new thread with this question.

I want to get a mobile for my daughter starting secondary school in September, does anyone know anything about this offer - I've been looking on the board and I'm right out of my depth.

Through Mobile Outlet
Free Motorola C975 on 3
400 free xnetwork mins
250 free text messages
25 free video call mins
25 free picture or video messages
£5 worth of video content every month
14 months free line rental via cashback

It makes by Utilities Warehouse package look rubbish (which I think it probably is - if the above package checks out, I think my existing phone can sit in a draw and I'll get one too!) - but I just don't know what questions to ask to check just what I'm signing up too.

Would really appreciate any comments

Tizz

System

Hi, and welcome. Two things come to mind, 1) how much per month? and 2), given that mobiles are either "in" or "out" regarding young people and fashion, it'd be worthwhile sounding out the model with your daughter before you make a decision.

rizla01

I think you will find that the 'Catch' is that it is on the '3' network.

Check out the price for their contract Etc.

Tizz

Thanks, DD will count herself v.lucky - the Motorola C975 is way better than my old Nokia. How much per month is just the sort of question I didn't think to be asking - trouble is, I don't know. I've been back to the site, but can't see any info on how to work it out - I think I understand that I will have to pay the line rental, (however much that is) and then I will have to claim it back at given intervals, but the 400 network mins, 250 text messages etc are just free?

Tizz

MrGreen

The offer you are looking at seems to be an 18 month contract, mobile outlet do the same phone but on a different tarrif over 12 months and it would work out as free line rental after cashback. I'm not too keen on 18 month contracts as they tie you in for a longer period and you don't get much more value for it.

Also bear in mind that it is a cash back offer and remember to claim it at the right times and keep all paper work for reference, and check out Three's coverage where you live/will be using the phone.

the link to the 12 month deal was posted here http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=80070

You can get some more money back using one of many cashback sites like Quidco £30 (£25 when used first time) and Rpoints £11.

MrGreen

The 18 month deal is 14 months free line rental via redemption
You get 400 FREE cross network minutes and 250 text messages every month Plus 25 FREE Video call minutes, 25 FREE Picture or Video Messages & £5 worth of Video content every month on 3 for £35 per month after cashback it will cost you £140 (£35x4months)
Ave monthly cost £7.77


The 12 month deal is 12 months free line rental (via redemption, normal charges apply, cashback at month 6 and 12)
You get 500 FREE cross network minutes and 100 text messages every month on 3 for £30.00 per month, after cashback it should cost you nothing.
Ave monthly cost £0

Tizz

Thanks MrGreen, definitely want the 12 month then, and I go through your rpoints referral.
Rizla01, do you mean that the phone and line rental are free, but 3 charge for the a contract? I don't know how to check this. (I've checked the coverage for Keynsham/Bath area, looks fine to me (but what do I know!!)
Is this the best package (though if its all free, can't see how it could be any better), or any suggestions for other packages.

Tizz

Hawker

Tizz,
Surely this sort of question isn't 'money saving' at all! Children and mobile phones cannot be money saving by definition!
Why not get your daughter into taking responsibility for herself and get her a PAYG mobile?

bigmuffins

:hello:
I have one of these with 3/dialaphone and have had no problems with this but I live in London so coverage is not a problem for me! Also I never use all my mins/texts but a teenager is different kettle of fish!

Anyway my friend is in the same boat as you - wants to reduce daughters PAYG mobile phone bill. When we looked into it we found 3 gave best x network mins and with dialaphone (and others) there is also possibility of getting extra money/discount - so remember to include that in your calculations to work out how much you will end up paying
Anyway the dialaphone discounts are:
1) £10 for ordering on line
2) using the www.dialaphone.co.uk/theworks/ website (get extra £20)
3) also get extra £20 if you refer a friend

and I think if you buy more than one you get a further discount but can't recall exactly how much.
So you could get about another £40/50 off if you order 2 phones. The deal I got works out to overall total of £10 for whole year for 500 free mins and 100 texts BUT is by redemption - ie you pay upfront FIRST.

ALSO remember to keep tabs on the free minutes etc used so that don't go over and get hammered on charges:eek:
Depends on how responsible your child is, but can monitor discreetly online via 3 website!

My friend's PAYG bill was horrendous and she has decided to go for one of these - only problem now is find a hip enough phone! :rolleyes:

Good luck!

EileenH

Tizz, also bear in mind that there are risks with cashback deals as the retailer could go bust before all the cashback has been paid. You can reduce the risk by using well known companies that have been trading for a long time. Check the terms and conditions for the cashback and diarise the dates and procedure for claiming it, if you forget then the retailer won't pay out.

I also don't think 100 text messages a month is enough for a teenager (approx. 3 texts a day) they prefer to text rather than make calls. My daughter is on the o2 payg online tariff where she tops up by £10 a month and gets 300 free texts each month and the £10 goes on calls and more texts (if she runs out) and she somehow manages to use up her text allowance before the month is out!

Tizz

Thanks for all the replies -not just children and mobiles that aren't money saving - its having children at all! PAYG was my first thought, but I wasn't sure how to go about it, EileenH's post helped clear things up and I have had a change of plan and gone for the PAYG option instead ( again not exactly moneysaving, as I've had to buy a phone but DD will have to earn the £10 a month she needs to top it up) with 02 and a refurbished Sony K700i. Still not sure I've done the right thing, but at least I won't be dreading any massive bills coming my way and we won't end up with a contract and no phone when DD loses the phone (guaranteed). We'll see how it goes.

Thanks again
Tizz