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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

ds wants a contract phone and I feel a bit odd about it

42 replies

hercules1 · 08/02/2009 10:08

We've all always had pay as you go but I recently got myself my first contract phone (good deal at tescos for £20 a month). Ds really wants one too.
I tend to top up his phone at the moment each month for £10 but he could easily use it more if he had the opportunity.

It's not about the money I just wonder if it is a reasonable thing for a 13 year old to have a contract phone or if most have pay as you go.

So who is being unreasonable- me or him?

OP posts:
Pennies · 08/02/2009 10:13

I would stickto payg to avoid the risk of a huge bill.

MarlaSinger · 08/02/2009 10:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
hercules1 · 08/02/2009 10:15

The huge bill thing doesnt worry me. He rarely texts anyone now and his friendship circle arent into phoning each other all teh time etc. He wants one as he would get a better phone.

OP posts:
oxocube · 08/02/2009 10:15

I almost fell for this one with my 13 yr old ds. Luckily, wiser friends dissuaded me. I'm very glad they did

Original poster
hercules1 · 08/02/2009 10:16

WHat do you mean "it's not up to him" ?
Is it that I would be pandering to him if I gave in? That does worry me but then I wonder if I am being unreasonable if it's the norm as he reckons it is for his friends.

OP posts:
oxocube · 08/02/2009 10:16

That's what my ds said and now, suddenly, his phone is frequently out of credit and is surgically attached at the hip, along with his laptop .

SheSellsSeashellsByTheSeashore · 08/02/2009 10:17

I was allowed my first contract phone when I was 18 and working and could take it out in my own name.

YANBU. If he wants a better phone suggest he gets a paper round and some other small jobs and save for one. Tell him to try websites like freecycle, ebuyer, amazon etc for good deals.

PurplePillow · 08/02/2009 10:17

I know too many people who have had huge bills from contract phones and they have been ADULTS

I will never have a contract phone.

If it is working well with payg then don't change it, would be my advice

Original poster
hercules1 · 08/02/2009 10:18

Yes, he does have his laptop surgically attached to him!

OP posts:
janeite · 08/02/2009 10:19

It is really not the norm for 13 year olds to have contract phones. That way disaster lies imho. Pay as you go until he is earning enough to pay the bills, I reckon.

MarlaSinger · 08/02/2009 10:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
hercules1 · 08/02/2009 10:20

Now worried about my own bill! I have a deal for 300 minutes and 200 texts and unlimited landline.
I used to use abouta tenner a month on pay as you go but had big landline bills from phoning people on tehri mobiles so figured it would work out cheaper. Plus I feel I work hard so deserve a nicer phone!

OP posts:
SheSellsSeashellsByTheSeashore · 08/02/2009 10:20

Oh and its not the norm. I told my mum that when I was trying to get her to buy me a payg phone . All of my friends had one, some of them had had two already

I later gave in. Got a job and bought my own phone. I was the first of all my friends to have one

Teenager will lie to get what they want you know

MarlaSinger · 08/02/2009 10:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
hercules1 · 08/02/2009 10:21

Thanks for messages. You are right. I did feel guilty that I had just got myself a contract phone and took him with you to help choose! However he will still be having his pay as you go phone.

OP posts:
Original poster
hercules1 · 08/02/2009 10:22

I know they lie. I've said it myself enough on here but not my child

I should imagine some of his friends do have them, in fact I know many do but I have no idea what their bills are like. His best friend certainly doesnt though.

OP posts:
Original poster
hercules1 · 08/02/2009 10:22

Do I need insurance on my own phone??

OP posts:
mejon · 08/02/2009 10:24

If he rarely texts anyone and isn't constantly ringing his friends why does he need a 'better phone'?

TotalChaos · 08/02/2009 10:26

my cynical thought would be - since it's something they are so desperate to flog as an add on product, surely it must be a crap deal. ...

re:main point of your thread - no need for him to have a contract phone at all - he/you can shell out for a nice phone on PAYG.

jeminthecity · 08/02/2009 10:28

I'm in a similar position, wondering whether we should change from pay as you go for DS1.

He uses his credit up staightaway, and then can't use his phone for the rest of the month. Whilst this is his responsibility, in terms of trying to make the credit last, he's obviously not able to, and my main concern is that I would like him to be able to contact us if he needs to, in terms of safety etc.

i know this is no help, but i'm unsure what to do to!

herbietea · 08/02/2009 10:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

smudgethepuppydog · 08/02/2009 10:35

I've just put my DS (16) on to a contract (Vodafone £20 a month, unlimited texts+300 talk minutes) but he's 16 and his PAYG was costing us at least £30 a month in texts alone so it made money sense for him to go over to a contract but his is the type of contract that can be terminated with just 28 days notice. I wouldn't either of my children on to a contract that meant signing up for 6/12/18 months to be honest.

Original poster
hercules1 · 08/02/2009 10:45

Have I made a mistake then putting myself onto a contract phone? I dont mind teh £20 a month as I know I wont use it more than the 300 minutes, 200 texts and free landline calls. I admit I didnt research it particularly but it seems like a good phone and deal. How can it go wrong??

Just told ds he wont be having one till he can pay for it himself (missed out the bit about mumnset!)

OP posts:
Original poster
hercules1 · 08/02/2009 11:48

bump

OP posts:
smudgethepuppydog · 08/02/2009 12:21

I've just switched to a contract after years and years on PAYG and it's working out cheaper for me but then I know I'll stay well within the limits of my contract.