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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think paying £102 to change to a “better” mobile number isn’t completely ridiculous?

155 replies

ThatJadeFawn · 15/05/2026 12:53

Long story short, I’ve had my current number for years and there’s a bit of emotional baggage attached to it now due to family boundary issues / people having access to it who I don’t really want having access anymore (posted about the situation a few days ago).

I’d already been considering changing it, but every replacement number EE offered me felt worse than my current one, so I kept saying no.

Today they offered me a “gold/VIP” number with triple 7s in it that I genuinely really like and would actually prefer to my current number. Problem is, it costs £102.

I know logically it’s “just a phone number” but equally people keep numbers for years and years, and if I’m going to go through the faff of changing it, I almost feel like I’d rather do it properly and actually like the new number.

Part of me thinks “life’s short, just get the number you want.”

Another part thinks “£102 for digits is objectively insane.”

AIBU?

OP posts:
JacquesHarlow · 15/05/2026 12:57

Also, the weird bit for me is, how many people actually "remember" friend's mobile numbers these days?

You just put the number in once and forget it? It's not like the days where we had to memorise people's landlines or else take a small book of numbers with us?

YABU

Popstarrrrr · 15/05/2026 12:57

It is your money. Unless I had a business and the new number woul compliment it in some way I wouldn't pay that much.

I've had one mobile number my whole life. It will be 30 years later this year. Anyone I don't want to speak to and cannot respect my boundaries just get blocked.

JacquesHarlow · 15/05/2026 12:56

That's really not a high cost for a premium number. Go and Google "VIP" or "diamond" numbers and you'll see you got off quite well.

Arlanymor · 15/05/2026 12:56

I don't understand why all of the other numbers feel worse to you? They're just numbers. You want to get rid of your current one so that people from the past cannot contact you - fine. But why are 'all' of the replacements offered worse? I don't understand that? I think VIP numbers are like vanity registration plates - if you have the cash and want to spend the money on it then fair enough, do what you like. I can think of better things to spend £100 on however.

Edited to add this disclaimer - unless the phone number or the reg plate relates to a business, that makes a lot more sense as it's brand building and memorable.

BanningTheWordNaice · 15/05/2026 12:55

People pay money for all sorts of shit - if you want to just do it and don’t think about it again 🤷‍♀️