Anyone looking for a cheap, basic, PAYG mobile

Rik · Dec 15, 2008, 16:12:02

According to The Times:

QuoteBritain's cheapest pay-as-you-go mobile phone - a Motorola W180 handset - is being offered for just £2.88 in an effort to attract customers tightening their belts during the recession.

The "easy to use" phone comes with an FM radio and boasts long battery life and polyphonic ringtones from Carphone Warehouse.

But gadget fans used to the range of features available on smartphones like the Apple iPhone and Blackberry will be disappointed – the handset does not have email, internet access or even a camera.

Customers must buy the phone with £10 of Orange credit, making the total price £12.88.

Inactive · Dec 15, 2008, 16:19:12

Shows how desperate " Lemon " are to flog top up.

Rik · Dec 15, 2008, 16:37:02

Doesn't it, In. OTOH, for someone who wants a basic phone for emergencies, it's a good deal.

Inactive · Dec 15, 2008, 16:40:48

It is, as long as Orange don't nick the credit for non use, like they did mine.

Rik · Dec 15, 2008, 16:41:52

You just need to make a brief call every x months, I think.

Inactive · Dec 15, 2008, 16:47:49

Probably Rik, I still hate Orange for it tho'.

Rik · Dec 15, 2008, 16:49:39

I can understand that. O² did the same to me once.

Sebby · Dec 15, 2008, 18:58:56

Wow, £2.88... It's got to be worth getting one!

Simon · Dec 15, 2008, 20:39:42

It would make a nice stocking filler for a mobile newbie, like Granny, or a technophobe, who doesn't want anything too complex.

talos2 · Dec 15, 2008, 20:55:12

Quote from: Rik on Dec 15, 2008, 16:49:39
I can understand that. O² did the same to me once.

They did that to me once, but I just called them and they reinstated the credit NP

Inactive · Dec 16, 2008, 00:14:17

Quote from: talos on Dec 15, 2008, 20:55:12
They did that to me once, but I just called them and they reinstated the credit NP

I did ring Orange, spoke with some guy in India whotold me that I would have to call a premium rate number to sort it, I told him to poke it.

Inactive · Dec 16, 2008, 01:01:45

OK, I have done some more research on this phone, it is in fact unlocked, so can be used on any network, so once the £10.00 Orange Credit is used up on it, then it will be OK for use an any network.

Have ordered one, but limited stock, so not sure if I will get one, worth a punt.

Anyway Rik, have a

Rik · Dec 16, 2008, 08:51:11

Thanks, In.

JB · Dec 16, 2008, 17:30:22

Quote from: Inactive on Dec 16, 2008, 01:01:45
Have ordered one, but limited stock, so not sure if I will get one, worth a punt.

Not sure if you have a CPW near you but the same deal is available in store. I just bought a little Nokia 1650 phone on the same deal. The phone was £9.90 and is definitely unlocked so will take my Spanish SIM card. I noticed the Motorola phone alongside it on the display.

Sebby · Dec 16, 2008, 19:16:08

Most phones that come from CPW are unlocked.

Glenn · Dec 16, 2008, 20:13:10

If you use Quidco you will get money refunded too http://www.quidco.com/carphone-warehouse/

Sebby · Dec 16, 2008, 20:30:26

Always a top tip, Glenn. It's amazing how few people know about Quidco! I've had over £400 from them...

Glenn · Dec 16, 2008, 21:30:26

I've had about £150 myself

JB · Dec 16, 2008, 21:50:33

Quote from: Sebby on Dec 16, 2008, 19:16:08
Most phones that come from CPW are unlocked.

This is very true as CPW are big enough and carry enough clout to buy in generic GSM stock.

Inactive · Dec 16, 2008, 23:52:35

I received an email earlier today from CPW, saying that my Nationwide Credit Card had been declined ..

..shock ...horror.

I rang them on a freephone number, went through all of the details, still declined, anyway I got fed up with all of this, gave them an alternative one, that went through, sorted.

I then rang Nationwide to see what was going on, I was told that their automatic fraud protection had jumped in and blocked the card, I asked them why, they said because CPW have a lot of fraud activity recorded against them.

All seems a lot of nonsense for £12.88 to me, but I suppose better safe than sorry.

Simon · Dec 17, 2008, 00:04:24

I had the same with MBNA. They blocked a number of payments to WH Smith, but I only found out when WHS emailed me, then I had to spend 20 minutes in a call queue, trying to get through to the CC company. I don't mind them checking for fraud, but why couldn't they have phoned me?

Inactive · Dec 17, 2008, 00:13:27

Exactly Simon, I dread to think what would happen if they blocked your card whilst you were abroad.

Rik · Dec 17, 2008, 08:47:23

I've had the same happen with Capital One. I wonder if the banks are being more active in order to protect themselves, whilst keeping the costs down by letting us find out the hard way?

JB · Dec 17, 2008, 08:59:03

This is a major problem with CPW.

PM sent to In.

Inactive · Dec 17, 2008, 09:40:08

Thanks JB

.. Well at least the phone arrived via City Link in a huge plastic bag, save the planet, not CPW it seems.

I feel sure that I am going to have to chase up Nationwide again, I am certain that I have been charged twice by CPW..

Tossers.