Free line rental deals - catch?

I'm on PAYG 'cos I don't use my phone that much for outgoing calls. The
handset's getting a bit old and battered now though, so I'm thinking about
getting one of those free line rental deals with a new phone, then
cancelling the minute the 12-month contract comes to and end (and
collecting my cashback, obviously). Then I'll go back to PAYG for a while.

Is there anything to watch out for on those deals? Reading the small print
doesn't seem to indicate there is, but I thought I'd ask here just to make
sure.

Jonathan

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Jonathan wrote:
> I'm on PAYG 'cos I don't use my phone that much for outgoing calls. The
> handset's getting a bit old and battered now though, so I'm thinking about
> getting one of those free line rental deals with a new phone, then
> cancelling the minute the 12-month contract comes to and end (and
> collecting my cashback, obviously). Then I'll go back to PAYG for a while.
>
> Is there anything to watch out for on those deals? Reading the small print
> doesn't seem to indicate there is, but I thought I'd ask here just to make
> sure.
>
> Jonathan
>
>
two things to be aware of

1. use a reputable company, i.e. one backed by a large retail group such
as DSG / CPW or have been established for a long time. The one that
spring to mind are E2save, OneStopPhoneShop, Mobileshop,
BuyMobilePhones, the Link

2. Read the T&Cs very carefully. Stick to them like glue. Make sure you
store *all* the paperwork securely and make sure you know exactly when
to claim and always send your claims in by a traceable method, i.e.
REcorded or Special Delivery. They rely on a percentage of customers
loosing a vital document or bill, or forgeting to send the claim in, or
the claim getting "lost" in the post.

I have just finished an Orange 12 months free deal with OSPS and got all
my cashback and have just taken out an O2 deal with BMP.

hth

DeeBee

"DeeBee" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]

[snip]

> 1. use a reputable company, i.e. one backed by a large
> retail group such as DSG / CPW or have been established
> for a long time. The one that spring to mind are E2save,
> OneStopPhoneShop, Mobileshop, BuyMobilePhones, the Link

CPW..? OSPS..? Used with the word "reputable" in the same sentence..?!

Cough.. splutter..! You owe me a new keyboard, I just spilled my coffee
over this one..!

Ivor

Ivor Jones wrote:
> "DeeBee" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]
>
> [snip]
>
>
>>1. use a reputable company, i.e. one backed by a large
>>retail group such as DSG / CPW or have been established
>>for a long time. The one that spring to mind are E2save,
>>OneStopPhoneShop, Mobileshop, BuyMobilePhones, the Link
>
>
> CPW..? OSPS..? Used with the word "reputable" in the same sentence..?!
>
> Cough.. splutter..! You owe me a new keyboard, I just spilled my coffee
> over this one..!
>
> Ivor
>
>
Ivor, I can only speak as I find. I have never had a problem with CPW.

Also had two 12 month free Orange contracts with OSPS that ended last
month and all cashback payments were received within the correct time
frame, so they did their bit!

DeeBee

DeeBee wrote:

> Ivor Jones wrote:
>> "DeeBee" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]
>>
>> [snip]
>>
>>
>>>1. use a reputable company, i.e. one backed by a large
>>>retail group such as DSG / CPW or have been established
>>>for a long time. The one that spring to mind are E2save,
>>>OneStopPhoneShop, Mobileshop, BuyMobilePhones, the Link
>>
>>
>> CPW..? OSPS..? Used with the word "reputable" in the same sentence..?!
>>
>> Cough.. splutter..! You owe me a new keyboard, I just spilled my coffee
>> over this one..!
>>
>> Ivor
>>
>>
> Ivor, I can only speak as I find. I have never had a problem with CPW.
>
> Also had two 12 month free Orange contracts with OSPS that ended last
> month and all cashback payments were received within the correct time
> frame, so they did their bit!
>
> DeeBee

OK thanks - I'm going for it as you reccommend. If I get ripped off I'll
know better for next time, but it seems that if I assume the worst I should
be OK.

Jonathan

DeeBee wrote:
> Ivor Jones wrote:
> > "DeeBee" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]
> >
> > [snip]
> >
> >
> >>1. use a reputable company, i.e. one backed by a large
> >>retail group such as DSG / CPW or have been established
> >>for a long time. The one that spring to mind are E2save,
> >>OneStopPhoneShop, Mobileshop, BuyMobilePhones, the Link
> >
> >
> > CPW..? OSPS..? Used with the word "reputable" in the same sentence..?!
> >
> > Cough.. splutter..! You owe me a new keyboard, I just spilled my coffee
> > over this one..!
> >
> > Ivor
> >
> >
> Ivor, I can only speak as I find. I have never had a problem with CPW.
>
> Also had two 12 month free Orange contracts with OSPS that ended last
> month and all cashback payments were received within the correct time
> frame, so they did their bit!
>
> DeeBee

Last year, I got two phones from the Link on cashback (max 2 per
household) - stuck to the exact terms and got the cashback, so this
year, I got another two.

Regards

Simon Clark
Business Telecoms

DeeBee wrote:
> Jonathan wrote:
>
>> Is there anything to watch out for on those deals?

> two things to be aware of
>
> 1. use a reputable company, i.e. one backed by a large retail group such
>
> 2. Read the T&Cs very carefully. Stick to them like glue.

As regards the timing of claims, there's usually a very narrow window so
as soon as you get you contract, immediately plug the claim dates into
an electronic calendar etc so you get a reminder or auto-email when they
are due.

I'd also add:

3. At the end of the day, treat the cashback payments as a 'bonus'
rather than a 'must-have'; so if it does all go pearshaped fopr whatever
reason you aren't totally screwed. ie, if you normally make only 5
quid's-worth of calls per month, don't commit yourself to a 12-month
contract costing 60 quid a month, just to get the 100% cashback; unless
you can potentially afford to lose all that money!

(I'm a fan by the way - have had many cashback contracts over the years
and have never lost out.)

Search this newsgroup for the keyword "cashback" - you'll find loads of
background info.

David

"DeeBee" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]

[snip]

> Ivor, I can only speak as I find. I have never had a
> problem with CPW.
> Also had two 12 month free Orange contracts with OSPS
> that ended last month and all cashback payments were
> received within the correct time frame, so they did their
> bit!

Best of luck is all I can say. Read this group for the general consensus
of opinion on CPW and OSPS. I for one won't go near CPW since their
offshoot Fresh cocked up a number port and I lost a particularly memorable
number.

Ivor

I've had two phones from e2save this way and got the money back, and
just taken another from OSPS.
The key is, as everyone else has said, to be spot on with your claims.
I'm sure the system is designed the way it is 'cos they know lots will
forget their dates and lose their money.
Always send your claims 'signed for' or 'special delivery'. With
e2save, every claim I had, I had to chase them for, but they did pay up
in the end.

Bob Coates

"Jonathan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm on PAYG 'cos I don't use my phone that much for outgoing calls. The
> handset's getting a bit old and battered now though, so I'm thinking about
> getting one of those free line rental deals with a new phone, then
> cancelling the minute the 12-month contract comes to and end (and
> collecting my cashback, obviously). Then I'll go back to PAYG for a while.
>
> Is there anything to watch out for on those deals? Reading the small print
> doesn't seem to indicate there is, but I thought I'd ask here just to make
> sure.
>
> Jonathan

Had three phones from e2save and had all my cashbacks. One was overdue but
did arrive.

Ken

Jonathan wrote:
> I'm on PAYG 'cos I don't use my phone that much for outgoing calls. The
> handset's getting a bit old and battered now though, so I'm thinking about
> getting one of those free line rental deals with a new phone, then
> cancelling the minute the 12-month contract comes to and end (and
> collecting my cashback, obviously). Then I'll go back to PAYG for a while.
>
> Is there anything to watch out for on those deals? Reading the small print
> doesn't seem to indicate there is, but I thought I'd ask here just to make
> sure.
>
> Jonathan
>
>
your in it for 13 months ;o) you cant claim the last bit of cash back
until youve completed you 12 months and you cant give notice to quit
until the 12 month bill has arrived so you can send it off and claim
at least thats what happened to me but i am lasy also for good deals
with what your looking for try http://www.mobilephones.need-it.co.uk
they seem to compare deals from all those shops mentioned above even if
one does make Ivor sick ;0)

DwayneDib wrote:

> your in it for 13 months ;o) you cant claim the last bit of cash back
> until youve completed you 12 months and you cant give notice to quit
> until the 12 month bill has arrived so you can send it off and claim

No, in fact your 12th bill arrives at the *beginning* of month 12,
because you are billed in advance. That's the bill you send off for
your final claim.

In my most recent case I was porting my number out from one cashback
contract to another which made it slightly more complex; I think I ended
up paying for about 5 days (shock, horror!) over and above the original
12 months contract.

David

Well i did say im lasy

Lobster wrote:
>
>
> No, in fact your 12th bill arrives at the *beginning* of month 12,
> because you are billed in advance. That's the bill you send off for
> your final claim.
>
> In my most recent case I was porting my number out from one cashback
> contract to another which made it slightly more complex; I think I ended
> up paying for about 5 days (shock, horror!) over and above the original
> 12 months contract.
>
> David

[email protected] wrote:
> I've had two phones from e2save this way and got the money back, and
> just taken another from OSPS.
> The key is, as everyone else has said, to be spot on with your claims.
> I'm sure the system is designed the way it is 'cos they know lots will
> forget their dates and lose their money.
> Always send your claims 'signed for' or 'special delivery'. With
> e2save, every claim I had, I had to chase them for, but they did pay up
> in the end.

Although remember that only Special Delivery can give cover for
'consequential loss' - i.e. the value of your cashback if it goes
missing. With Recorded you're only covered up to the value of the item
- i.e. a couple of sheets of paper! I has one go missing that I sent to
e2save. After getting onto the Royal Mail a bit they sent me 12x1st
class stamps. E2save were very good about it and told me to resend to
their 'new' claims address as things seemed to get processed there
better than the old one. I'd sent it in right at the start of the claim
period so the 2nd copy I think still arrived in time anyway. They were
pretty efficient at paying.

Alan