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Original poster

How in the living fuck can I buy a phone for my kid?

223 replies

SphincterSaysWhat · 16/06/2023 13:56

I would like to buy an iPhone 14 (or whatever) for my child (Vodafone). I don't mind paying something up front and then a contract.

This is something usually left to DH but he's being a prick and so are Vodafone, apparently. So now it's my turn. Not only am I all other department, now I'm tech - which is a shame, as I'm a total luddite.

DH looked into affordablephones.co.uk and some other website but their reviews are terrible.

Can I not just call someone and pay for, and order, a fucking phone?

How is this so hard? What does everyone else do?

OP posts:
CaptainSeven · 17/06/2023 18:59

jotunn · 16/06/2023 14:03

Have a look at Computer Exchange CeX (UK) Buy & Sell Games, Phones, DVDs, Blu-ray, Electronics, Computing, Vision & CDs (webuy.com) who do reconditioned phones and get an unlocked phone and Sim.

Though Iphone 14s are still going to be incredibly expensive.

I'd never buy a second hand phone from CEX after 2 terrible experiences. Even with the testing they do there's no guarantee.

One time I managed to get my money back.

Another time CEX refused I went to Apple (to see if it could be repaired) and the gods were smiling on me because it was some sort of known fault and I got a free, brand new replacement...even though I'd bought from CEX!!!

Never again. Ever.

Buy phone from Apple and arrange SIM separately.

Obvs my advice is based on you buying brand new and from Apple. Wink

LillyOfTheValley2020 · 17/06/2023 19:02

Don't bother with Vodafone. I am convinced they have a massive IT issue and somehow the press haven't got wind of it yet. I was with them for several years and this last time it was impossible to get an upgrade and a new plan. I spent 2 days with various customer service advisors too.
Really. Go to a phone shop and go from there - like others suggested. :(

kittensinthekitchen · 17/06/2023 19:05

I am bemused at the OP seemingly taunting her husband somewhat for not being able to do this task himself, when this whole thread is about the fact that she's unable to order a fucking phone.

chaosmaker · 17/06/2023 19:11

SphincterSaysWhat · 16/06/2023 13:56

I would like to buy an iPhone 14 (or whatever) for my child (Vodafone). I don't mind paying something up front and then a contract.

This is something usually left to DH but he's being a prick and so are Vodafone, apparently. So now it's my turn. Not only am I all other department, now I'm tech - which is a shame, as I'm a total luddite.

DH looked into affordablephones.co.uk and some other website but their reviews are terrible.

Can I not just call someone and pay for, and order, a fucking phone?

How is this so hard? What does everyone else do?

Why did you call your child Vodafone?

pollymere · 17/06/2023 19:31

Go to CEX and buy an unlocked or Vodafone phone. Put SIM from old phone into new phone. Done. Has a 24 month guarantee on it too.

mylifestory · 17/06/2023 19:32

buy a newish phone from ebay, take it into vodaphone shop and tell them to make it work. or just go into the shop, they will set you up immediately, phone already or no phone!

Abouttimemum · 17/06/2023 19:33

I buy mine second hand from entertainment exchange (CEX) or similar, and then just use a sim only rolling monthly. Currently paying £10 a month for unlimited everything, with a 3 year old iPhone.

Bunchesxxx · 17/06/2023 19:45

I got my daughter an iphone on my account. I pay approx £22 for the hand set and about £20 for the air time. Once the handset is paid off I only pay for the airtime.

Berealstic · 17/06/2023 19:58

Basically don't.... they spoit brats

Panjandrum123 · 17/06/2023 20:37

@SphincterSaysWhat All you need to do is buy an iPhone 14 direct from Apple or John Lewis - as long as it say it’s unlocked and comes SIM free then it will work with a SIM card from Vodafone. Make sure you have the right size SIM card. Vodafone can reissue a SIM card in the right size or you can sign up to a SIM only contract and they will send you one (or go to a Vodafone store).

https://www.johnlewis.com/apple-iphone-14-ios-6-1-inch-5g-sim-free-128gb/midnight/p6345513?s_ppc=2dx92700070984466779_mixed_technology_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIm9qy28zK_wIVzvrtCh2amwJLEAQYASABEgKikfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

YummyMummy1959 · 17/06/2023 20:43

Hi ya I just bought an Iphone 14 Pro Max for my 10 year old just so he could be happy I dont think that £1,099 is too much for a child's happiness

Vinomummyinlockdown · 17/06/2023 20:58

I don’t even have an iPhone 14…. I’m pretty well off! Why does a kid need one?!?!

SoAndSoSaidSo · 17/06/2023 21:02

I just get things straight from apple and pay over time and have sim only. You get refurbished ones too, they are very good.

mycoffeecup · 17/06/2023 21:15

Vinomummyinlockdown · 17/06/2023 20:58

I don’t even have an iPhone 14…. I’m pretty well off! Why does a kid need one?!?!

Bonkers isn't it. My kids have a few friends with iPhone 14s. I cannot for the life of me see how it is doing anything other than setting your child up to be an 'I want it and I want it now' verruca salt type of person

RedRiverSun · 17/06/2023 21:20

Just buy one from the Apple Store online and they will ship it to you then ask vodaphone to send a sim.

lookingforchangenowww · 17/06/2023 21:35

Buy a second hand on CEX in any bight street

Mummyto2rugrats · 17/06/2023 21:39

Our old phones to each of them then a 20gb data unlimited calls and text sim card for £8 per month each when they wanted to upgrade their phones they saved up birthday money and bought it. Y7 & Y8 had phones since Y6

They also get £25 per month into a bank account for chores and they then pay £8 back as standing order in essence paying for their own sim but they can't hold a phone contract because of their age

springtome · 17/06/2023 22:14

SphincterSaysWhat · 16/06/2023 13:56

I would like to buy an iPhone 14 (or whatever) for my child (Vodafone). I don't mind paying something up front and then a contract.

This is something usually left to DH but he's being a prick and so are Vodafone, apparently. So now it's my turn. Not only am I all other department, now I'm tech - which is a shame, as I'm a total luddite.

DH looked into affordablephones.co.uk and some other website but their reviews are terrible.

Can I not just call someone and pay for, and order, a fucking phone?

How is this so hard? What does everyone else do?

We buy ourselves new phones via apple interest free for two years. We have just paid off two phones so I've bought myself and iPhone 14 and given my old iPhone 12 mini to my DS.

We then have sim only family plans. Ones with lots of data, the rest with not much but DH shares out the data as we need it.

mondaytosunday · 17/06/2023 22:32

I got mine through O2. It's where we already had a contract (we used to go through carphone warehouse but O2 no longer works with them). Walk in to the shop and do it.

Caelan2018 · 17/06/2023 22:37

Depends on age your talking about I got my son a iPhone 13 on my upgrade with Vodafone no way was I paying €800 at the time of a 14!! He is 17 Almost 18 and will be paying for the next phone himself as he is now finished school

Original poster
SphincterSaysWhat · 17/06/2023 22:53

kittensinthekitchen · 17/06/2023 19:05

I am bemused at the OP seemingly taunting her husband somewhat for not being able to do this task himself, when this whole thread is about the fact that she's unable to order a fucking phone.

But I hadn't tried at that point - I was just going from what he said/was whinging on about throughout the day. It's ok if you can't be bothered reading my posts completely, it is dull, but not dull enough not to post I guess...

I have now ordered a phone, fingers tightly crossed it arrives and I've not been scammed...!

OP posts:
Original poster
SphincterSaysWhat · 17/06/2023 22:56

Kid's name is Vodafone because O2 was taken by Elon Musk 🤷‍♀️ whaaddya gonna do?

Next one will be called EE but that might remind me of double-dropping in my yoof...we're undecided. I'll let you know.

OP posts:
Original poster
SphincterSaysWhat · 17/06/2023 22:59

mondaytosunday · 17/06/2023 22:32

I got mine through O2. It's where we already had a contract (we used to go through carphone warehouse but O2 no longer works with them). Walk in to the shop and do it.

Thanks Monday, I can't really spare the time for about 6 weeks (and we live in the middle of fucking nowhere) but maybe a good old-fashioned go into a shop and look the salesperson in the eye is the way forward for me and phones!

OP posts:
sureigot20 · 17/06/2023 23:09

I like you, OP 🤣

He will love the 14!

Original poster
SphincterSaysWhat · 17/06/2023 23:12

Vinomummyinlockdown · 17/06/2023 20:58

I don’t even have an iPhone 14…. I’m pretty well off! Why does a kid need one?!?!

Well Vino, if this one shows up and I've not been done over, I'll get you one too.

[just checking the thread as wondering if I put it in AIBU by
mistake with the title "Am I a Cunt For Buying My Kid (Vodafone) a New Phone - Pertinent Info: I'm Busy as FUCK, Don't Know What The Numbers Mean after "iPhone", Don't Care About Phones, Kid Did A Wonderful Thing Recently, DH Usually Deals So This Is Literally My First Time Figuring This Out And His Name Is Vodafone, DS, Not DH"].

🤨
😂

Lovely day today for The Sphincter clan - we went shopping for new Jordan 4's for the 10 year old. In 4 different colours. Yanno, for the craic.

OP posts:
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