Will Vodafone PAYG expire?

On 24 Apr, 09:17, "Andy Pandy" <[email protected]>
wrote:
> "Steve Terry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> news:[email protected]...
>
> > Vodafone are the worse for cutting off an unused Sim.
> > as little as 3 months is enough.
> > Make sure you make a chargeable call at least every 3 months
>
> Where *is* it you get this 3 month cut off from?
>
> I'm sure we've had this conversation before (or maybe with someone
> else on here), the Vodafone T&C's do NOT state they cut you off after
> 3 months. It's 6 months (or 180 days to be pedantic).
>
> http://online.vodafone.co.uk/dispatc.../vodafone/wrp?...
>
> --
> Andy

Who cares what it says?

It's what they actually do that counts

People are asking advice about which SIM to have as a spare with low
use, and I'd put Vodafone 6th out of 6 of the main networks plus
Virgin

On other networks, sufficient activity to keep the SIM valid can be
just an incoming call; maybe even a text is enough, but I haven't
checked that.

Vodafone don't tolerate that and expect chargeable events. And they
may disconnect it even if there is.

They disconnected mine, and after the first CS person was blunt and
actually abusive and hung up the phone, I called back and succeeded in
getting a manager to switch the SIM on again, after she agreed I'd
used the phone. But she couldn't clarify whether I'd be back on the
old tariff which no longer existed (off-peak calls 5p/min had gone to
10p); nobody else could answer this on 2 subsequent calls. At this
point you must top up fairly soon (maybe 30, maybe 90 days) or they
will dump it again. Well, that's what they say but mine was gone again
in less than 3 weeks. I managed to get it switched on again, but on
the third wrongful disconnection I gave up.

For people who want the SIM to stay alive longest with low activity,
I'd suggest 3 or Virgin. But most will stay alive with just incoming
calls, like 2 Orange I have from ex-contract which have never been
topped up and are over 3 years old. One was lost and the number
transferred to a new SIM which then got disconnected after about 4
months, but was switched on again within 5 minutes when I rang up to
enquire about it

---

› See More: Will Vodafone PAYG expire?

On 24 Apr, 09:17, "Andy Pandy" <[email protected]>
wrote:
> "Steve Terry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> news:[email protected]...
>
> > Vodafone are the worse for cutting off an unused Sim.
> > as little as 3 months is enough.
> > Make sure you make a chargeable call at least every 3 months
>
> Where *is* it you get this 3 month cut off from?
>
> I'm sure we've had this conversation before (or maybe with someone
> else on here), the Vodafone T&C's do NOT state they cut you off after
> 3 months. It's 6 months (or 180 days to be pedantic).
>
> http://online.vodafone.co.uk/dispatc.../vodafone/wrp?...
>
> --
> Andy

Who cares what it says?

It's what they actually do that counts

People are asking advice about which SIM to have as a spare with low
use, and I'd put Vodafone 6th out of 6 of the main networks plus
Virgin

On other networks, sufficient activity to keep the SIM valid can be
just an incoming call; maybe even a text is enough, but I haven't
checked that.

Vodafone don't tolerate that and expect chargeable events. And they
may disconnect it even if there is.

They disconnected mine, and after the first CS person was blunt and
actually abusive and hung up the phone, I called back and succeeded in
getting a manager to switch the SIM on again, after she agreed I'd
used the phone. But she couldn't clarify whether I'd be back on the
old tariff which no longer existed (off-peak calls 5p/min had gone to
10p); nobody else could answer this on 2 subsequent calls. At this
point you must top up fairly soon (maybe 30, maybe 90 days) or they
will dump it again. Well, that's what they say but mine was gone again
in less than 3 weeks. I managed to get it switched on again, but on
the third wrongful disconnection I gave up.

For people who want the SIM to stay alive longest with low activity,
I'd suggest 3 or Virgin. But most will stay alive with just incoming
calls, like 2 Orange I have from ex-contract which have never been
topped up and are over 3 years old. One was lost and the number
transferred to a new SIM which then got disconnected after about 4
months, but was switched on again within 5 minutes when I rang up to
enquire about it

"andy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:a81942f4-acb4-4512-a5af-d86c0bd8a2c9@t54g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
> For people who want the SIM to stay alive longest with low activity,
> I'd suggest 3 or Virgin. But most will stay alive with just incoming
> calls, like 2 Orange I have from ex-contract which have never been
> topped up and are over 3 years old. One was lost and the number
> transferred to a new SIM which then got disconnected after about 4
> months, but was switched on again within 5 minutes when I rang up to
> enquire about it

Just tried out an old Vodafone PAYG that has been sitting around for a heck
of a lot longer than three months. Worked no problem, so they certainly
arent disconnecting everyone at the three month point. Six months sounds
more plausible, although I would have thought this phone must have been
close to or even over that since last used.

"Iain-M" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "andy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:a81942f4-acb4-4512-a5af-d86c0bd8a2c9@t54g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
>> For people who want the SIM to stay alive longest with low activity,
>> I'd suggest 3 or Virgin. But most will stay alive with just incoming
>> calls, like 2 Orange I have from ex-contract which have never been
>> topped up and are over 3 years old. One was lost and the number
>> transferred to a new SIM which then got disconnected after about 4
>> months, but was switched on again within 5 minutes when I rang up to
>> enquire about it
>
> Just tried out an old Vodafone PAYG that has been sitting around for a
> heck of a lot longer than three months.
The operable word there is "old"
If it's Pre Smartstep, then that's when Voda changed their T&Cs

I had an old Allcalls, and if i could find it it's probably still connected.

Steve Terry

In news:7e009589-191a-4ce1-ac1e-53ca8cb10e9d@s50g2000hsb.googlegroups.com,
andy <[email protected]> typed, for some strange, unexplained
reason:

[snip]

: People are asking advice about which SIM to have as a spare with low
: use, and I'd put Vodafone 6th out of 6 of the main networks plus
: Virgin

I've got a Virgin SIM I haven't used for over a year. I keep it in the car
glovebox as an emergency phone if I forget mine when I go out.

Just checked it and the £7 credit is still there.


Ivor

"Iain-M" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> > For people who want the SIM to stay alive longest with low
activity,
> > I'd suggest 3 or Virgin. But most will stay alive with just
incoming
> > calls, like 2 Orange I have from ex-contract which have never been
> > topped up and are over 3 years old. One was lost and the number
> > transferred to a new SIM which then got disconnected after about 4
> > months, but was switched on again within 5 minutes when I rang up
to
> > enquire about it
>
> Just tried out an old Vodafone PAYG that has been sitting around for
a heck
> of a lot longer than three months. Worked no problem, so they
certainly
> arent disconnecting everyone at the three month point. Six months
sounds
> more plausible, although I would have thought this phone must have
been
> close to or even over that since last used.

Not even at 6 months!!

I've just tried a SIM that came with a phone I bought my wife for
Christmas 2006.

The SIM was put into her old phone and forgotten about, it has never
had a top up, only the £2 credit it came with. I've tried to remember
to make the occasional call from it to keep it alive.

Just checked now, the last outgoing call/text was on 6 November.
Credit was £1.60. Made a call, it worked, credit now £1.50.

So even after about 190 days, they've not cut it off !

--
Andy

"andy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:7e009589-191a-4ce1-ac1e-53ca8cb10e9d@s50g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
> > > Vodafone are the worse for cutting off an unused Sim.
> > > as little as 3 months is enough.
> > > Make sure you make a chargeable call at least every 3 months
> >
> > Where *is* it you get this 3 month cut off from?
> >
> > I'm sure we've had this conversation before (or maybe with someone
> > else on here), the Vodafone T&C's do NOT state they cut you off
after
> > 3 months. It's 6 months (or 180 days to be pedantic).
> >
> >
http://online.vodafone.co.uk/dispatc.../vodafone/wrp?...
>
> Who cares what it says?
>
> It's what they actually do that counts

Yes - they've given me 190 days, see my other post.

> People are asking advice about which SIM to have as a spare with low
> use, and I'd put Vodafone 6th out of 6 of the main networks plus
> Virgin
>
> On other networks, sufficient activity to keep the SIM valid can be
> just an incoming call; maybe even a text is enough, but I haven't
> checked that.
>
> Vodafone don't tolerate that and expect chargeable events. And they
> may disconnect it even if there is.
>
> They disconnected mine, and after the first CS person was blunt and
> actually abusive and hung up the phone, I called back and succeeded
in
> getting a manager to switch the SIM on again, after she agreed I'd
> used the phone.

So they screwed up - they agree that they shouldn't have cut you off.

> But she couldn't clarify whether I'd be back on the
> old tariff which no longer existed (off-peak calls 5p/min had gone
to
> 10p);

Yup - but the 10p is now to any network, whereas the 5p was only
landlines/Vodafones, it was something like 35p x-net.

I still prefer the old tariff and my wife's main SIM is on that (15p
for an hour off-peak - who can beat that?)

--
Andy

Steve Terry wrote:

> Voda PAYT won't be taking any more of my money

I can't see why anyone would choose Voda PAYT instead of Asda.

"Iain" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> > Voda PAYT won't be taking any more of my money
>
> I can't see why anyone would choose Voda PAYT instead of Asda.

Anyone who's a mainly off-peak user, or a roaming user.

20 min off-peak call to any network - 30p.
10 min roaming call off-peak to any UK landline/mobile - £1.75.

Which PAYT can beat those? What do Asda charge?

--
Andy

Hi,

Just to give the Vodafone slant on this to clear up about
disconnections for pay as you talk.

With a pay as you talk number, excluding those that are part of a
Vodafone family group, if you don't top up your number or make a
chargeable call for 180 consecutive days, your number will be placed
into quarantine for 90 days. In the 90 days you'd need to top up by
at least £15.00 which would then automatically re activate your number
again.

If after 180 consecutive days of none use and then 90 consecutive days
of quarantine, you don't take any action, your number would be
disconnected. This is to make way for new numbers and so that after
so many months the number can be recycled for a new user. Any credit
balance would be forfeited.

With customers that are part of a family group, due to how family
works and that you don't actually need to top up or use credit on the
number, you wouldn't be subject to disconnection rules.

I hope this clears it up for you, this info is part of the pay as you
talk terms. The 90 day quarantine period is there to give you the
chance to take action by way of topping up to reactivate the number
again.

Thanks for listening.

Hopefullyuseful
Vodafone UK

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
Hi,

Just to give the Vodafone slant on this to clear up about
disconnections for pay as you talk.

With a pay as you talk number, excluding those that are part of a
Vodafone family group, if you don't top up your number or make a
chargeable call for 180 consecutive days, your number will be placed
into quarantine for 90 days. In the 90 days you'd need to top up by
at least £15.00 which would then automatically re activate your number
again.

If after 180 consecutive days of none use and then 90 consecutive days
of quarantine, you don't take any action, your number would be
disconnected. This is to make way for new numbers and so that after
so many months the number can be recycled for a new user. Any credit
balance would be forfeited.

With customers that are part of a family group, due to how family
works and that you don't actually need to top up or use credit on the
number, you wouldn't be subject to disconnection rules.

I hope this clears it up for you, this info is part of the pay as you
talk terms. The 90 day quarantine period is there to give you the
chance to take action by way of topping up to reactivate the number
again.

Thanks for listening.

Hopefullyuseful
Vodafone UK

And do we get a warning before all this happens?

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>Hi,
>Just to give the Vodafone slant on this to clear up about
>disconnections for pay as you talk.
>With a pay as you talk number, excluding those that are part of a
>Vodafone family group, if you don't top up your number or make a
>chargeable call for 180 consecutive days, your number will be placed
>into quarantine for 90 days. In the 90 days you'd need to top up by
>at least £15.00 which would then automatically re activate your number
>again.
>
>If after 180 consecutive days of none use and then 90 consecutive days
>of quarantine, you don't take any action, your number would be
>disconnected.
>
You mean stolen
>
> This is to make way for new numbers and so that after
>so many months the number can be recycled for a new user.
>
As if you need new numbers
>
> Any credit balance would be forfeited.
>
> As i said stolen
>
> Thanks for listening.
>
Thanks for proving you don't
>
>Hopefullyuseful
>Vodafone UK
>
Yes very useful in confirming with an attitude and policy like that
to never use Voda PAYT ever again

Steve Terry

"Steve Terry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> > This is to make way for new numbers and so that after
> >so many months the number can be recycled for a new user.
> >
> As if you need new numbers

Recycling the numbers must be done at some stage - with many people
upgrading their phone every year or 2 and often getting a new SIM with
the new phone, if they didn't recycle the numbers we'd soon run out. I
read somewhere that the average person has something like 4 SIMs -
that's not far off the 300 million limit on the 077/078/079 range.
They're already having to add 075 to the mobile range.

Although I think 9 months is a little soon - maybe a couple of years.

> > Any credit balance would be forfeited.
> >
> As i said stolen

If you think unused credit being forfeited after 9 months is being
"stolen", then what about all those rip-off contracts where you pay
for a number of minutes per month, and if you don't use them by the
end of the month they are "stolen"?? After just *one* month, not 9!!

--
Andy

"Andy Pandy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Steve Terry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> > This is to make way for new numbers and so that after
>> >so many months the number can be recycled for a new user.
>> >
>> As if you need new numbers
>
> Recycling the numbers must be done at some stage - with many people
> upgrading their phone every year or 2 and often getting a new SIM with
> the new phone, if they didn't recycle the numbers we'd soon run out. I
> read somewhere that the average person has something like 4 SIMs -
> that's not far off the 300 million limit on the 077/078/079 range.
> They're already having to add 075 to the mobile range.
>
> Although I think 9 months is a little soon - maybe a couple of years.
>
>> > Any credit balance would be forfeited.
>> >
>> As i said stolen
>
> If you think unused credit being forfeited after 9 months is being
> "stolen", then what about all those rip-off contracts where you pay
> for a number of minutes per month, and if you don't use them by the
> end of the month they are "stolen"?? After just *one* month, not 9!!
> Andy
>
Most contracts cover the real cost of the phone, with mins and maybe text
chucked in.

Even if you never make any use of the contract you've got the phone,
and if you are on a high mins contract you aren't using, you're on the wrong
tariff

Steve Terry

"Steve Terry" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> >> > Any credit balance would be forfeited.
> >> >
> >> As i said stolen
> >
> > If you think unused credit being forfeited after 9 months is being
> > "stolen", then what about all those rip-off contracts where you
pay
> > for a number of minutes per month, and if you don't use them by
the
> > end of the month they are "stolen"?? After just *one* month, not
9!!
> > Andy
> >
> Most contracts cover the real cost of the phone, with mins and maybe
text
> chucked in.

Part of the cost is the minutes. Hence there is a price differential
between a contract with more minutes but identical phone.

> Even if you never make any use of the contract you've got the phone,
> and if you are on a high mins contract you aren't using, you're on
the wrong
> tariff

But if you use 80 mins a month you are unlikely to be able to get a 80
min contract, you have to get a 100 min contract and so waste 20 mins
every single month. This is far bigger rip-off than losing your PAYG
credit if you don't use the phone for 9 months.

Some contracts are even worse I believe, and don't even allow you to
roll forwards unused minutes. So if you average 100 mins per month but
sometimes use 50 and sometimes 150, you lose 50 mins in the low usage
months and have to *pay extra* for the additional 50 in the heavy use
months!

Makes a 9 month limit on PAYG credit sound positively generous!

--
Andy