Best pay monthly contract 12/18months for less than £20 p/month?

the_kop_2 · 16-02-2008, 01:37

Hi all!

Im on the look for a good pay monthly contract

Basically the phone needs to be a nokia..unless its sim only deal...

and tariff wise Im looking for something that at worst gives me minimum 300 minutes per month, and around 100+ texts per month.

Ive got a contract with three, and in late 2006 i signed what i thought was a good contract in store...im currently in month 16, so looking at my options. They gave me 18 months @15pounds per month, with 6 months at 600 minutes and 2000 texts, but from month 7 onwards this dropped down to 300mins and 1000 texts.

But i have had a few issues with them! I called today to find out my expiry date, and was greeted by one of their team with the "good" news i could upgrade early. Having a contract with tmobile, I assumed (to my haste!!) that it would be a case of haggling for a better deal, maybe knocking off a few pounds off my line rental and also getting a middle of the road nokia phone too, something cool but not pricey. But to my disgust the person I spoke to just seemed not bothered about anything I had to say!

The conversation we had was not long, but the manner really bugged me. This guy seemed to be content on repeating himself over and over. His answer to any question about negotiation was "no, u must go onto a higher tarrif, you are not entitled to any discount" In addition he stated my contract was going to go back to the £30 pound a month rate at the end of my 18 months!! So when I asked about the mix and match rates, and if any loyalty discount could be made for changing to one of those, his response was " I see you are not interested in upgrading, so please do call us again when you are"....I had to stop him in his tracks!! I have never had a "sales" person end a conversation mid negotiation!!!

I wish I had checked my post before that call though...as I also had called them just before xmas, as they had messed up my bills and were charging me the original rate of £30 per month (Im meant to be getting each bill auto at half price for life). I went into my local 3 store (not a superdrug one), and the "manager" there decided he was having a bad day, and tried to have an argument with me needing my bills and phone on me, yet he failed to actually listen to my problem, and in the end had to speak to a member of his team who casually sat me down and sent an email to 3 with me?!! Is this company nuts or what?!!!

After getting passed around a million times I thought it was sorted, but only this evening i have noted again the bills have gone up again to £30 ugh!

So if anyone can give me advice on how to deal with 3...or should I leave them for a better deal somewhere else??

chyllyphylly · 16-02-2008, 03:15

how about 400 mins and 1000 sms for £20 a month?

No long contract, just a rolling 30 day one

look here

Mr Cable · 16-02-2008, 04:46

3's deals have been flagging a bit lately, but if you were to take out a NEW contract with them, this weekend only, £19.50 a month will get you 1100 'units', with a unit being either a minute or a message and a Nokia 6500 classic, or the fab 6120 classic or trusty N73.

Otherwise, it's usually £18 per month for 500 units....

chris20 · 16-02-2008, 09:33

wow that's a good deal plus you get free windows live messenger free skype and free voicemail

the_kop_2 · 16-02-2008, 15:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Cable

3's deals have been flagging a bit lately, but if you were to take out a NEW contract with them, this weekend only, £19.50 a month will get you 1100 'units', with a unit being either a minute or a message and a Nokia 6500 classic, or the fab 6120 classic or trusty N73.

Otherwise, it's usually £18 per month for 500 units....

Thats great! I'll look into that!

But 3 really are a schocking company cust service wise. I find that whatever the reason - be it script being adhered to or just not training the staff right, i rarely get things sorted on my first call!

Anyone got locations of any good tmobile deals?

chris20 · 16-02-2008, 19:47

there customer service has improved so much over the years no other network will give you as much free as 3 do.

taj500 · 16-02-2008, 20:01

How do you feel about paying more and claiming cash back?

A lot of people dislike dial-a-phone but I've never had a problem with them and you can't beat them on price!

If you want a nokia then you can have a nokia 6300

Contract: 12 months
Network: T-mobile
Phone: Free
Units: 400 (1 text = 1 unit, 1 min = 2 units)
Effective Monthly Price: £7.50/month
You pay £25/month and claim £70 back at months 6, 9 and12.

Contract: 12 months
Network: O2
Phone: Free
Mins: 400
Texts: 500
Effective monthly price: £12.50/month
You pay £35/month then claim £90 back at months 6, 9 and 12.

http://www.dialaphone.co.uk/phone/Nokia_6300/

Lawe13 · 16-02-2008, 20:25

But look at what you are paying for with Dial-a-phone.

A relatively old handset which is quite entry level and a lot less minutes and texts than if you had gone direct.

Swings and roundabouts again.

the_kop_2 · 16-02-2008, 20:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris20

there customer service has improved so much over the years no other network will give you as much free as 3 do.

Really? How bad were they before then?!!! My other tmobile line has been brilliant, ive managed to renegotiate each time with them over the years for my families lines too.

I just found the chap to be extremely not bothered , and unflexible! I dont feel three give much help personally when there is a problem. When things are fine, I do agree the deals are pretty good!

As for cashback and what not, would rather not go down that road. I am sure they must work, but the thought of missing a deadline and having to post bills is a bit more than I have time for, but I must admit the deals do look good, and the 6300 nokia would be fine too.

Any more deals of any interest, maybe on 02 ? The sim only deals look good, but looking for at least 300 minutes

Lawe13 · 16-02-2008, 20:46

You don't by chance happen to have an Orange PAYG sim?

chris20 · 16-02-2008, 21:08

i have been with them since 2003 they where crap till around 2005 now you get very helpful people who are well knowledge but you do get bad ones and very very good ones its the same with all customer service i have had some people here that are better then a British call center

the_kop_2 · 16-02-2008, 22:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris20

i have been with them since 2003 they where crap till around 2005 now you get very helpful people who are well knowledge but you do get bad ones and very very good ones its the same with all customer service i have had some people here that are better then a British call center

Sounds like you've had some results buddy! Any tips?

the_kop_2 · 16-02-2008, 22:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawe13

You don't by chance happen to have an Orange PAYG sim?

I do have one! Ordered one for free the other day...what deals are going with them?

chris20 · 17-02-2008, 07:32

i just explain things well and i don't talk very fast plus i am polite to them. i would not join orange if you don't like Indian call centers they have it.

QUOTE=the_kop_2;21668518]Sounds like you've had some results buddy! Any tips?[/quote]

the_kop_2 · 17-02-2008, 18:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris20

i just explain things well and i don't talk very fast plus i am polite to them. i would not join orange if you don't like Indian call centers they have it.

QUOTE=the_kop_2;21668518]Sounds like you've had some results buddy! Any tips?

[/quote]

Hmmm..don't actually remember saying at any point don't like Indian call centres. Being a british indian born over here I know though how tough it is for them as they are much more educated than the mindless fools who abuse them. My problem was not so much with the fact the chap was indian, it was the fact this person was not either bothered or willing to use any common sense. For that reason I would not abuse nor get tetchy, but at the same try to explain my points calmy and fairly. When the said person was unable to budge for whatever reason, I politely ended the conversation and thanked them for helping, even if I came away frustrated, after all I thought it could be a "rogue agent" etc, but i thought why not to ask on this forum about them.

Anyhows I'm not really interested in talking about how to talk to someone, it's more in whether you are able to negotiate with 3 at all. If it's not something worth fussing over, I'll let my contract run down to month 17 and then port to someone else

the_kop_2 · 18-02-2008, 15:18

Darn! I had to pop out last night and totally forgot to call 3. Is that 1100 mix and match deal gone now? Not on the site either now! UGHHHH! that was a great deal!

Lawe13 · 18-02-2008, 15:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_kop_2

I do have one! Ordered one for free the other day...what deals are going with them?

Well it would needed to have been on PAYG for six months, but if you did have one you could get the Dolphin 35 or Racoon 35 for £21.50 per month Inc VAT.

the_kop_2 · 18-02-2008, 16:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawe13

Well it would needed to have been on PAYG for six months, but if you did have one you could get the Dolphin 35 or Racoon 35 for £21.50 per month Inc VAT.

My other half im sure had one about 8months ago and always sticks in 5pounds a month as a back up phone....does this deal come with a free phone too?

Ricardodaforce · 18-02-2008, 16:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_kop_2

My other half im sure had one about 8months ago and always sticks in 5pounds a month as a back up phone....does this deal come with a free phone too?

Sure does.

the_kop_2 · 18-02-2008, 16:07

Ill check it out defo!!

thanks!

Ricardodaforce · 18-02-2008, 16:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_kop_2

Ill check it out defo!!

thanks!

Not sure it will be mentioned on Orange.co.uk

It's a love your number connection.

10% line rental discount for moving from PAYG to contract.

£180 account credit. Brings the £35 line rental down to £21.50 per month.

If you do it instore you only get up to £150 account credit, so the monthly line rental ends up being £23.17.

the_kop_2 · 18-02-2008, 16:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricardodaforce

Not sure it will be mentioned on Orange.co.uk

It's a love your number connection.

10% line rental discount for moving from PAYG to contract.

£180 account credit. Brings the £35 line rental down to £21.50 per month.

If you do it instore you only get up to £150 account credit, so the monthly line rental ends up being £23.17.

Cool, It still sounds decent

having looked on the site their sim only deals look quite good too, would be worth taking up and picking up a payg or ebay unlocked phone maybe

Lawe13 · 18-02-2008, 16:27

If you are considering a SIM Only, wait until March 1st and the tarrif refresh goes ahead. Just a heads up!

And FYI the 10% Love Your Number discount is not available on a SIM Only. Neither are Magic Numbers.

the_kop_2 · 18-02-2008, 17:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawe13

If you are considering a SIM Only, wait until March 1st and the tarrif refresh goes ahead. Just a heads up!

And FYI the 10% Love Your Number discount is not available on a SIM Only. Neither are Magic Numbers.

Cool...any chance of PM with some details of the upcoming fresh deals?

thanks for the orange info too

lorraineanna87 · 19-02-2008, 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawe13

If you are considering a SIM Only, wait until March 1st and the tarrif refresh goes ahead. Just a heads up!

And FYI the 10% Love Your Number discount is not available on a SIM Only. Neither are Magic Numbers.

Does the magic numbers and the extra services make a difference in what network you choose to go with? Whether you on PAYG or Pay monthly?

16-02-2008, 01:37	#1
the_kop_2 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 377	Best pay monthly contract 12/18months for less than £20 p/month? Hi all! Im on the look for a good pay monthly contract Basically the phone needs to be a nokia..unless its sim only deal... and tariff wise Im looking for something that at worst gives me minimum 300 minutes per month, and around 100+ texts per month. Ive got a contract with three, and in late 2006 i signed what i thought was a good contract in store...im currently in month 16, so looking at my options. They gave me 18 months @15pounds per month, with 6 months at 600 minutes and 2000 texts, but from month 7 onwards this dropped down to 300mins and 1000 texts. But i have had a few issues with them! I called today to find out my expiry date, and was greeted by one of their team with the "good" news i could upgrade early. Having a contract with tmobile, I assumed (to my haste!!) that it would be a case of haggling for a better deal, maybe knocking off a few pounds off my line rental and also getting a middle of the road nokia phone too, something cool but not pricey. But to my disgust the person I spoke to just seemed not bothered about anything I had to say! The conversation we had was not long, but the manner really bugged me. This guy seemed to be content on repeating himself over and over. His answer to any question about negotiation was "no, u must go onto a higher tarrif, you are not entitled to any discount" In addition he stated my contract was going to go back to the £30 pound a month rate at the end of my 18 months!! So when I asked about the mix and match rates, and if any loyalty discount could be made for changing to one of those, his response was " I see you are not interested in upgrading, so please do call us again when you are"....I had to stop him in his tracks!! I have never had a "sales" person end a conversation mid negotiation!!! I wish I had checked my post before that call though...as I also had called them just before xmas, as they had messed up my bills and were charging me the original rate of £30 per month (Im meant to be getting each bill auto at half price for life). I went into my local 3 store (not a superdrug one), and the "manager" there decided he was having a bad day, and tried to have an argument with me needing my bills and phone on me, yet he failed to actually listen to my problem, and in the end had to speak to a member of his team who casually sat me down and sent an email to 3 with me?!! Is this company nuts or what?!!! After getting passed around a million times I thought it was sorted, but only this evening i have noted again the bills have gone up again to £30 ugh! So if anyone can give me advice on how to deal with 3...or should I leave them for a better deal somewhere else??

16-02-2008, 20:01	#7
taj500 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Herts, UK Posts: 70	How do you feel about paying more and claiming cash back? A lot of people dislike dial-a-phone but I've never had a problem with them and you can't beat them on price! If you want a nokia then you can have a nokia 6300 Contract: 12 months Network: T-mobile Phone: Free Units: 400 (1 text = 1 unit, 1 min = 2 units) Effective Monthly Price: £7.50/month You pay £25/month and claim £70 back at months 6, 9 and12. Contract: 12 months Network: O2 Phone: Free Mins: 400 Texts: 500 Effective monthly price: £12.50/month You pay £35/month then claim £90 back at months 6, 9 and 12. http://www.dialaphone.co.uk/phone/Nokia_6300/ Last edited by taj500 : 16-02-2008 at 20:02. Reason: spelling mistake

16-02-2008, 03:15	#2
chyllyphylly Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 845	how about 400 mins and 1000 sms for £20 a month? No long contract, just a rolling 30 day one look here

16-02-2008, 04:46	#3
Mr Cable Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 2,868	3's deals have been flagging a bit lately, but if you were to take out a NEW contract with them, this weekend only, £19.50 a month will get you 1100 'units', with a unit being either a minute or a message and a Nokia 6500 classic, or the fab 6120 classic or trusty N73. Otherwise, it's usually £18 per month for 500 units....

16-02-2008, 09:33	#4
chris20 Guest Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 3,556	wow that's a good deal plus you get free windows live messenger free skype and free voicemail

16-02-2008, 15:58	#5
the_kop_2 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 377	Quote: Originally Posted by Mr Cable 3's deals have been flagging a bit lately, but if you were to take out a NEW contract with them, this weekend only, £19.50 a month will get you 1100 'units', with a unit being either a minute or a message and a Nokia 6500 classic, or the fab 6120 classic or trusty N73. Otherwise, it's usually £18 per month for 500 units.... Thats great! I'll look into that! But 3 really are a schocking company cust service wise. I find that whatever the reason - be it script being adhered to or just not training the staff right, i rarely get things sorted on my first call! Anyone got locations of any good tmobile deals?

16-02-2008, 19:47	#6
chris20 Guest Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 3,556	there customer service has improved so much over the years no other network will give you as much free as 3 do.

16-02-2008, 20:25	#8
Lawe13 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 869	But look at what you are paying for with Dial-a-phone. A relatively old handset which is quite entry level and a lot less minutes and texts than if you had gone direct. Swings and roundabouts again.

16-02-2008, 20:34	#9
the_kop_2 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 377	Quote: Originally Posted by chris20 there customer service has improved so much over the years no other network will give you as much free as 3 do. Really? How bad were they before then?!!! My other tmobile line has been brilliant, ive managed to renegotiate each time with them over the years for my families lines too. I just found the chap to be extremely not bothered , and unflexible! I dont feel three give much help personally when there is a problem. When things are fine, I do agree the deals are pretty good! As for cashback and what not, would rather not go down that road. I am sure they must work, but the thought of missing a deadline and having to post bills is a bit more than I have time for, but I must admit the deals do look good, and the 6300 nokia would be fine too. Any more deals of any interest, maybe on 02 ? The sim only deals look good, but looking for at least 300 minutes

16-02-2008, 20:46	#10
Lawe13 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 869	You don't by chance happen to have an Orange PAYG sim?

16-02-2008, 21:08	#11
chris20 Guest Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 3,556	i have been with them since 2003 they where crap till around 2005 now you get very helpful people who are well knowledge but you do get bad ones and very very good ones its the same with all customer service i have had some people here that are better then a British call center

16-02-2008, 22:11	#12
the_kop_2 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 377	Quote: Originally Posted by chris20 i have been with them since 2003 they where crap till around 2005 now you get very helpful people who are well knowledge but you do get bad ones and very very good ones its the same with all customer service i have had some people here that are better then a British call center Sounds like you've had some results buddy! Any tips?

16-02-2008, 22:11	#13
the_kop_2 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 377	Quote: Originally Posted by Lawe13 You don't by chance happen to have an Orange PAYG sim? I do have one! Ordered one for free the other day...what deals are going with them?

17-02-2008, 07:32	#14
chris20 Guest Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 3,556	i just explain things well and i don't talk very fast plus i am polite to them. i would not join orange if you don't like Indian call centers they have it. QUOTE=the_kop_2;21668518]Sounds like you've had some results buddy! Any tips?[/quote]

17-02-2008, 18:14	#15
the_kop_2 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 377	Quote: Originally Posted by chris20 i just explain things well and i don't talk very fast plus i am polite to them. i would not join orange if you don't like Indian call centers they have it. QUOTE=the_kop_2;21668518]Sounds like you've had some results buddy! Any tips? [/quote] Hmmm..don't actually remember saying at any point don't like Indian call centres. Being a british indian born over here I know though how tough it is for them as they are much more educated than the mindless fools who abuse them. My problem was not so much with the fact the chap was indian, it was the fact this person was not either bothered or willing to use any common sense. For that reason I would not abuse nor get tetchy, but at the same try to explain my points calmy and fairly. When the said person was unable to budge for whatever reason, I politely ended the conversation and thanked them for helping, even if I came away frustrated, after all I thought it could be a "rogue agent" etc, but i thought why not to ask on this forum about them. Anyhows I'm not really interested in talking about how to talk to someone, it's more in whether you are able to negotiate with 3 at all. If it's not something worth fussing over, I'll let my contract run down to month 17 and then port to someone else

18-02-2008, 15:18	#16
the_kop_2 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 377	Darn! I had to pop out last night and totally forgot to call 3. Is that 1100 mix and match deal gone now? Not on the site either now! UGHHHH! that was a great deal!

18-02-2008, 15:58	#17
Lawe13 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 869	Quote: Originally Posted by the_kop_2 I do have one! Ordered one for free the other day...what deals are going with them? Well it would needed to have been on PAYG for six months, but if you did have one you could get the Dolphin 35 or Racoon 35 for £21.50 per month Inc VAT.

18-02-2008, 16:02	#18
the_kop_2 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 377	Quote: Originally Posted by Lawe13 Well it would needed to have been on PAYG for six months, but if you did have one you could get the Dolphin 35 or Racoon 35 for £21.50 per month Inc VAT. My other half im sure had one about 8months ago and always sticks in 5pounds a month as a back up phone....does this deal come with a free phone too?

18-02-2008, 16:04	#19
Ricardodaforce Inactive Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alacant Posts: 7,773	Quote: Originally Posted by the_kop_2 My other half im sure had one about 8months ago and always sticks in 5pounds a month as a back up phone....does this deal come with a free phone too? Sure does.

18-02-2008, 16:07	#20
the_kop_2 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 377	Ill check it out defo!! thanks!

18-02-2008, 16:11	#21
Ricardodaforce Inactive Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alacant Posts: 7,773	Quote: Originally Posted by the_kop_2 Ill check it out defo!! thanks! Not sure it will be mentioned on Orange.co.uk It's a love your number connection. 10% line rental discount for moving from PAYG to contract. £180 account credit. Brings the £35 line rental down to £21.50 per month. If you do it instore you only get up to £150 account credit, so the monthly line rental ends up being £23.17.

18-02-2008, 16:13	#22
the_kop_2 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 377	Quote: Originally Posted by Ricardodaforce Not sure it will be mentioned on Orange.co.uk It's a love your number connection. 10% line rental discount for moving from PAYG to contract. £180 account credit. Brings the £35 line rental down to £21.50 per month. If you do it instore you only get up to £150 account credit, so the monthly line rental ends up being £23.17. Cool, It still sounds decent having looked on the site their sim only deals look quite good too, would be worth taking up and picking up a payg or ebay unlocked phone maybe

DS Forums

Best pay monthly contract 12/18months for less than £20 p/month?

18-02-2008, 16:27	#23
Lawe13 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 869	If you are considering a SIM Only, wait until March 1st and the tarrif refresh goes ahead. Just a heads up! And FYI the 10% Love Your Number discount is not available on a SIM Only. Neither are Magic Numbers.

18-02-2008, 17:26	#24
the_kop_2 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 377	Quote: Originally Posted by Lawe13 If you are considering a SIM Only, wait until March 1st and the tarrif refresh goes ahead. Just a heads up! And FYI the 10% Love Your Number discount is not available on a SIM Only. Neither are Magic Numbers. Cool...any chance of PM with some details of the upcoming fresh deals? thanks for the orange info too

19-02-2008, 17:52	#25
lorraineanna87 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 7	Quote: Originally Posted by Lawe13 If you are considering a SIM Only, wait until March 1st and the tarrif refresh goes ahead. Just a heads up! And FYI the 10% Love Your Number discount is not available on a SIM Only. Neither are Magic Numbers. Does the magic numbers and the extra services make a difference in what network you choose to go with? Whether you on PAYG or Pay monthly?