Phone advice

luckat

I've just got another stupendous Vodafone bill - over €300, where last September my bills were under €100.

I'm thinking of getting a landline, but don't want to go back to horrid Eircom. Any suggestions?

(I don't have or want television, so that isn't a factor, by the way.)

dudara

Is there any particular reason why your bill is so high? Generally, you are charged for what you use (billing errors aside).

TBH, so far this post looks more suitable to mobiles/PDAs unless there actually is a consumer issue here.

luckat

dudara - no, don't think there's any reason other than usage - but my usage isn't that high; it's normal phone usage.

If you think it would be more usefully answered in Mobiles/PDAs, please move it there. I always find the complicated tree of subject sections on boards.ie a bit hard to navigate.

dudara

Moved to Mobiles/PDA.

luckat - you might want to add some details on usage and your current tariffs and add-ons so that people can offer you better advice.

dudara

luckat

Tariffs? Where do I find them? Usage - mostly short phone calls, with the expensive 20-minute chat to a friend that comes up (shock) at €5 to €10.

Random

What Vodafone price plan are you on? It will say it on your bill. If not customer care will tell you.

Also give us a breakdown of your bill - minutes / texts / to which networks / etc.

And if it's a landline you're looking for as opposed to reducing your mobile bill then this should be bounced to Nets / Comms maybe ?

dudara

luckat wrote: »

Tariffs? Where do I find them? Usage - mostly short phone calls, with the expensive 20-minute chat to a friend that comes up (shock) at €5 to €10.

You should know what price plan or tariff you're on.

luckat

Perhaps I should, but the tariffs are, I think, intended to be confusing.

Apparently I'm on 'Perfect Fit 100'.

My calls are a mixture of landline and mobile, my texts are mostly normal texts - I send about three photos a month, maybe. The mobile calls are mostly to Vodafone, but one friend is on whatever 086 is nowadays, and some of the calls are to her.

I should probably just start using Skype properly.

Random

luckat wrote: »

Perhaps I should, but the tariffs are, I think, intended to be confusing.

Apparently I'm on 'Perfect Fit 100'.

My calls are a mixture of landline and mobile, my texts are mostly normal texts - I send about three photos a month, maybe. The mobile calls are mostly to Vodafone, but one friend is on whatever 086 is nowadays, and some of the calls are to her.

I should probably just start using Skype properly.

Sounds to me like you're being a bit lazy with the information!

Your mate on 086 could be on any network. Look for her number on your bill and see what network she's on.

How many calls do you make to Vodafone? How many SMS do you send? To what networks?

luckat

How can I tell from my friend's number (apart from the 086) what firm she gets her service from?

How will counting all my calls for a month help?

odie2020

very simple answer,, move to 02 clear,

ALL your calls and texts to any irish network and landlines incl northern ireland for 99 euro a month, ex vat. nobody can beat that.. me thinks..
My monthly bill has droped from an average of 280 to 99... sweet..

http://www.o2online.ie/wps/wcm/connect/O2/Home/Business/Price+Plans/Single+user+plans/Open+minute+plans/O2+Release+price+plan/

Random

luckat wrote: »

How can I tell from my friend's number (apart from the 086) what firm she gets her service from?

How will counting all my calls for a month help?

As I said

i said wrote:

Look for her number on your bill and see what network she's on.

You could also ring her and ask her what network shows on her screen, what name is written on her SIM card etc

you said wrote:

How will counting all my calls for a month help?

We will know what your usage is. Otherwise we might as well just pick a random plan.

drunkmonkey

luckat wrote: »

How can I tell from my friend's number (apart from the 086) what firm she gets her service from?

How will counting all my calls for a month help?

You can find out your friends network by asking them!

I don't know how vodafone works, but I presume they have something similar to 3, on my phone I can check at any time how many units i've used and see how much my bill is anytime I want, I just click a button on my phone and it takes me to a web page with all my details....there must be something similar on vodafone live...

Your 100% on the wrong price plan, time to go up on your tarrif or change networks....

Ask customer care to give you your average calls, texts & data for the last 3mts and let them recommend a price plan for you....

luckat

odie2020 wrote: »

very simple answer,, move to 02 clear,

ALL your calls and texts to any irish network and landlines incl northern ireland for 99 euro a month, ex vat. nobody can beat that.. me thinks..
My monthly bill has droped from an average of 280 to 99... sweet..

http://www.o2online.ie/wps/wcm/connect/O2/Home/Business/Price+Plans/Single+user+plans/Open+minute+plans/O2+Release+price+plan/

Ah, a simple answer! Thank you!

Is there any downside to this?

And will I be able to keep the same number?

odie2020

nope none at all,,,

Its a price plan for companies. i'm not a company so i just lied to them and said i was ... made up a name and they didnt question me anymore.. they were just happy to get the contract... and so was i...


yep you can keep your own number

drunkmonkey

luckat wrote: »

Is there any downside to this?

And will I be able to keep the same number?

Yes there are downsides you will be tied into an 18mt Contact at €119.79pm thats' expensive if you don't need unlimited calls.....unlimited calls also excludes and premium or national numbers, so you can add an average of €20pm onto that bill....

Call a few of your best mates and see who there wit, if there vodafone it might be worth sticking with vodafone just move price plans.....make sure you'll still be entitled to your free upgrade phone and the contract is only 12mts, a lot can happen in a year....

Yes you can keep your number no matter which network your on....


p.s
If it's a lady friend your calling a lot have you ever thought of the joys of video calling....might be worth looking into together when picking a network for the 2 of ye.....;)


Get your average calls, texts and data from vodafone and post back tomorrow, also ask them how longs left in your contract.....

luckat

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Yes there are downsides you will be tied into an 18mt Contact at €119.79pm thats' expensive if you don't need unlimited calls.....unlimited calls also excludes and premium or national numbers, so you can add an average of €20pm onto that bill....

What are premium or national numbers?

National - aren't all landline numbers on the island of Ireland within that deal? Premium - well, I do call a 1530 number - 1530 530 530, to call abroad. But I could use Skype for those calls abroad instead.

p.s
If it's a lady friend your calling a lot have you ever thought of the joys of video calling....might be worth looking into together when picking a network for the 2 of ye.....;)

Ahem, genlm'n callahs would be of more interest to me, suh.

Get your average calls, texts and data from vodafone and post back tomorrow, also ask them how longs left in your contract.....

My contract is until October with Vodafone. How do you mean average calls?

Ah-Watch

luckat wrote: »

What are premium or national numbers?

National - aren't all landline numbers on the island of Ireland within that deal? Premium - well, I do call a 1530 number - 1530 530 530, to call abroad. But I could use Skype for those calls abroad instead.



Ahem, genlm'n callahs would be of more interest to me, suh.



My contract is until October with Vodafone. How do you mean average calls?

look do you get an itemised bill from vodafone with all the numbers you've dialled etc? it'll say either vodafone or other network, if your on PF 100 you definately need to move up priceplans, The new plans also match your minutes and texts! also on your vodafone bill at the end of the calls section it will say how many minutes in calls you spent and the same at the end of your texts. then post how many mins and texts you use in a month, we'll tell you the most suitable price plan from there!!

drunkmonkey

luckat wrote: »

What are premium or national numbers?


Ahem, genlm'n callahs would be of more interest to me, suh.


My contract is until October with Vodafone. How do you mean average calls?

Here's a list of calls you will be charged for besides regional and free phone number(free phone numbers could also be charged if your using your mobile, check the t&c's)

Freefone Calls.1800Shared Cost (Fixed).1850Shared Cost (Timed).1890Universal Access.0818Premium Rate - charged per-minute.1520, 1530, 1540, 1550, 1560, 1570, 1580 and 1590Premium Rate 0 charged per-call.1512, 1513, 1514, 1515, 1516, 1517, 1518 and 1519Premium Rate (Adult).1559Personal Numbering.0700

Don't knock Video Calls until you've used a few;)


Do you use Skype on your mobile?

By average I mean, what's your average unit use per month for the last 3mts, be it text, voice or data?

RodVelvet

I would change to either Perfect Choice 400 or 600 on your Vodafone Account. Voda to Voda calls/texts are free on either of these price plans. By changing from your current priceplans you should make a significant saving on your present bill.

gerryk

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Here's a list of calls you will be charged for...

Freefone Calls...

Oh, the irony

luckat

OK, I've gone over my figures as best I can - the sight isn't so great, so forgive me if my squinting has come up with some contradictions.

This bill was €315.97, of which there were a total of

190 calls
30 texts

Of the calls,

62 were (01) calls
17 were (1520) calls
59 were to Vodafone numbers, and
43 were to 'Other Network' numbers.

That was my bill issued in mid-June. The two previous ones were for €236 (mid-May) and €262 (mid-April).

Oh, by the way, Skype on my mobile? Can I do that? Is it cheap? Is it clear? Or was that irony?

drunkmonkey

Your getting completly ripped off.....i'd refuse point blank to pay that amount on those usage figures...

I've 800 any network minutes uk& ireland and 450 texts per month for €99..

Your monthly bill should be no more than €49 regardless of which network your on!!!

Have a serious word with customer care.....don't let them away with it.....

By the looks of it most of your friends are not with vodafone so there's no real point sticking with them...

drunkmonkey

luckat wrote: »

Oh, by the way, Skype on my mobile? Can I do that? Is it cheap? Is it clear? Or was that irony?

Skype is free with 3 on pay as you go and bill pay, also check out an application called fring, works good on vodafone and 3.......and clear is about as clear as a puddle of mud.....

Ah-Watch

I detest o2 with a passion but if it reduces your bill it'd be more beneficial! I think you should move up to vodafone perfect choice 600 for €89 a month. Your bill is sooo much higher as you are charged I think 35c as you obviously use way more than 100 minutes in a month. Also I know 3 get a bashing big time but their new relax plans are very very very good, you dont use many texts so your better off going for the 3 plans.

luckat

Thanks very much for all your help, lads.

I talked to Vodafone (don't choose their 'we'll ring you back within two hours' offer, by the way; they didn't).

When I called the second time and hung on, got a very nice guy, who put me on Perfect Choice 600, and said he'd give me a two-month free offer on it; if I leave, though, I'll still have to pay the PC600 fees for those two months.

It doesn't kick in till the 14th of next month, so basically I'll stop using the phone till then.

My contract is up in September; I might change to the 02 Release offer then, or stay with Vodafone on the 600 deal. Have to think seriously about it. Advice welcomed.

Meanwhile I'm going to be exploring Skype seriously.

How do I put it on my mobile, and how does it work with the mobile, please?

(By the way, I use a Mac as my computer, though I have a couple of friends with PCs.)

Ah-Watch

luckat wrote: »

Thanks very much for all your help, lads.

I talked to Vodafone (don't choose their 'we'll ring you back within two hours' offer, by the way; they didn't).

When I called the second time and hung on, got a very nice guy, who put me on Perfect Choice 600, and said he'd give me a two-month free offer on it; if I leave, though, I'll still have to pay the PC600 fees for those two months.

It doesn't kick in till the 14th of next month, so basically I'll stop using the phone till then.

My contract is up in September; I might change to the 02 Release offer then, or stay with Vodafone on the 600 deal. Have to think seriously about it. Advice welcomed.

Meanwhile I'm going to be exploring Skype seriously.

How do I put it on my mobile, and how does it work with the mobile, please?

(By the way, I use a Mac as my computer, though I have a couple of friends with PCs.)

I think you should stick with vodafone for now, I feel their very good with offering things like free months rentals etc. I rang for my uncle who was on o2 for 12 years and when I asked for an improved upgrade I was told no I dont spend enough and when I said I would move to vodafone all I got was OK you'll loose your upgrade and that was it! Couldn't be happier on vodafone! I often have customers with PC 100 who's bills are over 150, People choose the lower bills cos they think they get better value but in all the end up paying WAY more. Give it a chance and see how you go. Vodafone also are quicker at approving customers upgrades too!:cool:

luckat

I'll probably upgrade my phone when it comes to it. Any recommendations? I usually prefer Nokia (I'm complicated-menu-phobic) but the other menus may have improved since I last tried.

I'd love to get an iPhone, but all that nonsense about high bills...