DS Forums

 
 

Quick question RE: PAYT/Sim Free


Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 23-05-2007, 09:21
Mikay
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 9,825

Okay.. so I want to keep my existing phone number on Vodafone PAYT, but I want to move to a phone which is only available on contract.

How do I buy it and insert my Sim Card and make it work? Would I have to buy the phone Sim Free? Or could I get a hold of a handset (say via eBay or something) and unlock it?

I'm a bit confused what to do..
Thanks!
Mikay is offline   Reply With Quote
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
Old 23-05-2007, 09:28
Hooloovoo
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,546
Yes - either buy the phone SIM free in which case it will already be unlocked for any network, or buy it second hand and unlock it for your network if it's not already on your network. Then just put your existing SIM into the phone and away you go.

Are you sure it wouldn't be cheaper to go on a contract though? I've recently been looking around and I was going to buy an HTC TyTN SIM free, but it's cheaper on a T-Mobile contract even when you multiply out the monthly cost and work out the total cost of the plan.

I can get a TyTN SIM free for around £405. I usually spend £10 a month on PAYG topups so that's a total cost for 18 months of £585.

I can get a Vario II on T-Mobile for £120 on an 18 month contract at £20 per month. So that's a total cost of £480 a saving of £105 over the SIM free price. You could think of it as spending £10 a month on topups and buying the phone for £300 instead of £405. Then at the end of the contract I just swap back to PAYG.
Hooloovoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-05-2007, 09:35
prking
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Weston-super-Mare
Posts: 9,167
Both of those will work, provided the phone is supported on your network. Make sure you can unlock the phone before you buy it.
prking is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-05-2007, 09:38
Mikay
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 9,825
Yes - either buy the phone SIM free in which case it will already be unlocked for any network, or buy it second hand and unlock it for your network if it's not already on your network. Then just put your existing SIM into the phone and away you go.

Are you sure it wouldn't be cheaper to go on a contract though? I've recently been looking around and I was going to buy an HTC TyTN SIM free, but it's cheaper on a T-Mobile contract even when you multiply out the monthly cost and work out the total cost of the plan.
I would think of doing that, but I'm only 16 and not on a fixed income so I wouldn't like to "chance it" - if you will - in case I cannot keep up with the payments. A lot of my friends are on contract, but tbh.. I don't top use my phone as a lifeline daily, so I'm really only looking for an upgrade of model.

THANKS for your help. You've been really helpful!
Mikay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-05-2007, 09:47
Hooloovoo
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,546
I would think of doing that, but I'm only 16 and not on a fixed income so I wouldn't like to "chance it" - if you will - in case I cannot keep up with the payments. A lot of my friends are on contract, but tbh.. I don't top use my phone as a lifeline daily, so I'm really only looking for an upgrade of model.
Ah I see - yes I agree I wouldn't want to sign up to a contract at 16 either. In fact I didn't think you could even do it until you were 18 due to effectively signing up for "credit".

I also don't really use my phone that much and a contract will be a waste of time for me but when the cost of a new phone works out in favour of the contract obviously it makes sense to do that and just cancel it at the end of the term.

THANKS for your help. You've been really helpful!
No problem.

BTW - It's nice to see a 16 year old with a sensible attitude to money!
Hooloovoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-05-2007, 09:50
Mikay
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 9,825
I may have a sensible attitude to money, but I'm seriously thinking of shelling out up to £200 on the new Samsung U600! How's that for crazy?!!
Mikay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-05-2007, 09:55
Hooloovoo
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,546
I may have a sensible attitude to money, but I'm seriously thinking of shelling out up to £200 on the new Samsung U600! How's that for crazy?!!
Well I'm thinking of shelling out £400 on an HTC TyTN so if you're crazy I must be insane!!!

Just as long as you have the money and you're not having to take a loan out or having it on credit cards - which at 16 you can't be - then enjoy it I say!

To many people have a "must have it now" attitude these days and just buy everything on credit rather than saving up for it and buying something a bit later. Trust me - you'll have a lot more money and be able to afford a lot more stuff if you hold back and save up for things rather than losing half your income on interest charges!
Hooloovoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-05-2007, 10:01
Mikay
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 9,825
Yeah, I quite agree. I've always been taught if I don't have the money.. then I cannot have it. Which has always made me save up for things and such. It makes me feel SO much better too, that I've worked hard saving to get it, so I value the phone or whatever so much more. My digital camera is treated like a King.
Mikay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-05-2007, 10:36
RYPW
 
Posts: n/a
I may have a sensible attitude to money, but I'm seriously thinking of shelling out up to £200 on the new Samsung U600! How's that for crazy?!!
Go for it mate i shelled out £200 for a Nokia 6280 a while back and although it's been a little naughty at times I'm happy with it. I find I don't use my phone much either anymore just mainly to text my girlfriend and when she's here I don't even turn it on. It isn't a 'necessity' to me anymore.
  Reply With Quote
Old 31-05-2007, 02:06
selene
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Kent
Posts: 119
Buying a phone sim free because you really want it makes a lot of sense to me. I know someone who refuses to pay for his phones and would far prefer to take out expensive contracts to make sure the phone is free! He doesn't seem to understand that in the long run, he's actually shelled out more for the phone...
selene is offline   Reply With Quote
 
Reply




 
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 17:57.