Tesco capped contract - options

swordman · 19-10-2013, 12:24

Tesco mobile really winding me up today

I have a capped contract with them for my kid in that he can't go over the contract amount. I was going to change this for a 4g option when it expires soon as the 4g data on Tesco seems quite good.

However they now have removed the capped contract and you now can only have it capped with a 'buffer' amount for 'emergencies'. The buffer amount varies from between £2.50 and £10 minimum depending on the amount of 4g data you choose. So in the case of my kid as he will always go over (hence the whole purpose of capped) I would be paying £10 more a month on some contracts that cost £17.50 to start with. Obviously not making enough money on their capped contracts.

Clearly not going to do that, so what are the best options out there? Not too many capped contracts are there? so what is the best payg deal with say 500 mins and high/unlimited data? I would guess 3?

Widdy · 19-10-2013, 13:15

The contract is still capped, it just allows a buffer of £2.50

swordman · 19-10-2013, 13:27

Yeah i know it is still capped but some 4g bundles don't allow £2.50 to be added the minimum is say £10 or £5 it varies. My kid would never monitor his usage and would therefore almost always go into this buffer which defeats the object of having a capped contract in my opinion.

thebennyboy · 19-10-2013, 14:48

Have you looked at moving your son to Giffgaff as it's technically not a contract and you can't go over. As you pre-pay for a bundle of minutes, texts and data there is no way of going over. Once your son has used it all it will simply stop until you next renew the bundle, which is done every 30 days. If you want to add a bit of credit to allow him to go over occasionally you can also add credit behind the bundle. This would give you complete control over how much he spends.

James30 · 19-10-2013, 14:56

Well done! It's refreshing to hear a parent take responsibility for a child's mobile usage. All to often I hear parents blaming phone companies for large bills as they have bowed down to the children and given them unlimited use.

swordman · 19-10-2013, 18:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebennyboy

Have you looked at moving your son to Giffgaff as it's technically not a contract and you can't go over. As you pre-pay for a bundle of minutes, texts and data there is no way of going over. Once your son has used it all it will simply stop until you next renew the bundle, which is done every 30 days. If you want to add a bit of credit to allow him to go over occasionally you can also add credit behind the bundle. This would give you complete control over how much he spends.

Yeah I have used giffgaff but as he is getting new phone for xmas I though the 4g option on Tesco was pretty good. Have to looked what GG are planning for 4g. The £15 3 PAYG seems quite good but not sure when their 4g will hit here.

19-10-2013, 12:24	#1
swordman Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 6,342	Tesco capped contract - options Tesco mobile really winding me up today I have a capped contract with them for my kid in that he can't go over the contract amount. I was going to change this for a 4g option when it expires soon as the 4g data on Tesco seems quite good. However they now have removed the capped contract and you now can only have it capped with a 'buffer' amount for 'emergencies'. The buffer amount varies from between £2.50 and £10 minimum depending on the amount of 4g data you choose. So in the case of my kid as he will always go over (hence the whole purpose of capped) I would be paying £10 more a month on some contracts that cost £17.50 to start with. Obviously not making enough money on their capped contracts. Clearly not going to do that, so what are the best options out there? Not too many capped contracts are there? so what is the best payg deal with say 500 mins and high/unlimited data? I would guess 3?

19-10-2013, 13:15	#2
Widdy Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Yorkshire, UK Posts: 1,955	The contract is still capped, it just allows a buffer of £2.50

19-10-2013, 13:27	#3
swordman Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 6,342	Yeah i know it is still capped but some 4g bundles don't allow £2.50 to be added the minimum is say £10 or £5 it varies. My kid would never monitor his usage and would therefore almost always go into this buffer which defeats the object of having a capped contract in my opinion.

19-10-2013, 14:48	#4
thebennyboy Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: North Wales Posts: 325	Have you looked at moving your son to Giffgaff as it's technically not a contract and you can't go over. As you pre-pay for a bundle of minutes, texts and data there is no way of going over. Once your son has used it all it will simply stop until you next renew the bundle, which is done every 30 days. If you want to add a bit of credit to allow him to go over occasionally you can also add credit behind the bundle. This would give you complete control over how much he spends.

19-10-2013, 14:56	#5
James30 Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 3,725	Well done! It's refreshing to hear a parent take responsibility for a child's mobile usage. All to often I hear parents blaming phone companies for large bills as they have bowed down to the children and given them unlimited use.

19-10-2013, 18:30	#6
swordman Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 6,342	Quote: Originally Posted by thebennyboy Have you looked at moving your son to Giffgaff as it's technically not a contract and you can't go over. As you pre-pay for a bundle of minutes, texts and data there is no way of going over. Once your son has used it all it will simply stop until you next renew the bundle, which is done every 30 days. If you want to add a bit of credit to allow him to go over occasionally you can also add credit behind the bundle. This would give you complete control over how much he spends. Yeah I have used giffgaff but as he is getting new phone for xmas I though the 4g option on Tesco was pretty good. Have to looked what GG are planning for 4g. The £15 3 PAYG seems quite good but not sure when their 4g will hit here.

DS Forums

Tesco capped contract - options