Mobile by Sainsbury's feedback thread - £100 voucher to be won NOW CLOSED

[AngelieMumsnet]

This thread is for the 30 MNers trying out the new Mobile by Sainsbury's service.

Below are the questions we'd like testers to answer but please feel free to add your own comments too.

• How do you find the signal coverage? Is it reliable? Have you had any issues with this?
• How has your family been using the service? i.e. is it you or your DC/DP who has the handset? How useful have you/they found the Mobile by Sainsbury's service?
• Do you think that the Nectar offer of double points on all of your shopping for 30 days each time you purchase a bundle makes the service more desirable or not?
• How have you found the Mobile by Sainsbury's customer care?
• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend this network to your friends or not?
• Bearing in mind that the bundle of 200 minutes/unlimited texts/250 MB data costs £10, do you think that the service is good value for money or not?

Everyone who was part of the test and who adds their feedback will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will get a £100 Sainsbury's voucher as a thank you.

Thanks,

MNHQ

[afromom]

• How do you find the signal coverage? Is it reliable? Have you had any issues with this?
  

The signal coverage has been fine so far, have tried it both at home and out and about. Texts send quickly and call go through no problem. We are going somewhere tomorrow where signal coverage is bad on all networks, so it will be interesting to see how it fairs there.

• How has your family been using the service? i.e. is it you or your DC/DP who has the handset? How useful have you/they found the Mobile by Sainsbury's service?
  

DS (age 9) has been using the phone. He has been enjoying the unlimited texts! I think he may forget how to talk to me face to face soon!

• Do you think that the Nectar offer of double points on all of your shopping for 30 days each time you purchase a bundle makes the service more desirable or not?
  

The nectar offer of double points is good and would make me slightly more likely to use a bundle, as I already shop in Sainsbury's so this would be an added bonus. Especially after Sainsbury's ahve recently extended the things that you can use your points for, like days out, cinema tickets etc.

• How have you found the Mobile by Sainsbury's customer care?
  

We made a mistake and didn't register the bundle straight away. I called the customer care line and the person that I spoke to was very helpful and sorted it out for us, adding on the credit that we had used so that we could still access the bundle. I think paying 25p to talk to someone is not good though, I don't think you have to pay to talk to customer services on other networks.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend this network to your friends or not?
  

I'm not sure as with the phone that we were given we were unable to test the internet. So far it seems like a good option for children to use the bundle as you do not have to tie yourself in to a contract, but I would have to test the whole service (internet included) before I can recommend it.

• Bearing in mind that the bundle of 200 minutes/unlimited texts/250 MB data costs £10, do you think that the service is good value for money or not?
  

I think the bundle is a great option, especially for kids, as there is no tie in to a contract and it can be paid for as and when it can be afforded. However, I think there should be more flexibility with the bundles, as some phones don't have access to the internet and therefore it feels like you are paying for a service that you can't even use. Maybe a bundle for just calls and texts could be offered also?

As a final comment:
The reason we signed up for this trial is because I was looking for a phone and good package for my DS, so that he can contact his Dad who lives abroad. Unfortunately we were given a phone with no internet facility, so are unable to use skype or what's app to contact him. Also the bundle doesn't give an opportunity to call abroad, therefore we have not been able to use this for the purpose that we originally applied. Although he is very happy just to have a phone!
I went into Sainsbury's yesterday to ask about any add on options, so that the phone can be used to call abroad, but unfortunately no member of staff on that department was able to answer my questions about how to call abroad, or whether international calling cards could be included in the 200 minutes in the bundle. I think it would be useful as an extra service that the staff working in the phone department knew about the service and could answer customers questions. the man that I spoke to suggested that I call the customer helpline number, when I asked what it was so that I could call then, he said he didn't know!

Overall, we are very grateful to have been picked for the trial and the text and call service seems great, as well as the bundle system, however I think that there was a massive error in providing so many of the posters with basic phones that are unable to test the full service (due to lack of internet connection).

[Blatherskite]

I finally have a phone!!

We got the Galaxy. Just waiting for it to charge so I can have a play. I thought they'd forgotten to put a SIM in but it was already in the phone. Did everyone else have that?

[magentastardust]

Yay Blatherskite -glad it finally turned up. Is it the Galaxy Y or fame you have-the sim card was already in my Galaxy Y but I did have to put the memory card in to get the camera and internet services working properly.

[DelayedActionMouseMaker]

• How do you find the signal coverage? Is it reliable? Have you had any issues with this?
  

Signal patchy in my hme area and very difficult to top up because of this. Much clearer once out and about.

• How has your family been using the service? i.e. is it you or your DC/DP who has the handset? How useful have you/they found the Mobile by Sainsbury's service?
  

It's a very limited handset, i can call on it and text on it, so it's the same as any other phone in that respect. Not sure what else I can say on that one. I think a service is only as useful as its hones functionality really??

• Do you think that the Nectar offer of double points on all of your shopping for 30 days each time you purchase a bundle makes the service more desirable or not?
  

Well I use sainsburys to shop and we use our points at Xmas, so it will be useful in that respect, but I phone and text very little, most of my communication is by Fb and email, which I use my ipad for. If I had an Internet connection on my hone I could see myself using it a LOT more.

• How have you found the Mobile by Sainsbury's customer care?
  

Not has to use that yet, but I do object to it being chargeable when other networks do this for free.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend this network to your friends or not?
  

Possibly, but hard to say without using it with the web as that's what most of my mates use their phones for, aside from calling. From that POV coverage seems about the same as any other provider.

• Bearing in mind that the bundle of 200 minutes/unlimited texts/250 MB data costs £10, do you think that the service is good value for money or not?
  

Not hugely, but would be more so if I could use the 250mb element, as discussed on the other thread you should have different tariffs for those without Internet facility (which is pretty much no one else I know) or have given us all Internet capable handsets, but you know, I think I've kinda laboured that point already. ;)

[DelayedActionMouseMaker]

On and it's me using it, though the dc's have both had a go.
Blatherskate, glad you got the phone eventually! :)

[Blatherskite]

We got the Galaxy Fame

[DelayedActionMouseMaker]

Well worth the wait then Blathers! How is it?? (Drools)

[Blatherskite]

Confusing! It's asking me to pick a SIM service and none of them are Sainsbury's

[Trigglesx]

I have been out and about more today - signal seems to be good regardless of where we are. However, please for the love of god, stop sending me info texts. Getting annoying now. It's like junk mail that follows you around!

[Breezy1985]

• How do you find the signal coverage? Is it reliable? Have you had any issues with this?
  

We have used the phone quite a bit now and the signal has mostly been fine, however on Tuesday we had quite a few problems of text's not being sent and not being able to make calls, however it's fine in the same area now. Some of the texts came through to my phone at 2am, which DD had sent around 6 hours before.

• How has your family been using the service? i.e. is it you or your DC/DP who has the handset? How useful have you/they found the Mobile by Sainsbury's service?
  

My DD who is 9, is the tester for this phone. I wanted her to have a phone for when she goes to visit her dad has he has no phone and I wanted to be able to contact her and I know she hated not being able to contact me. She's also started playing out now, and although she doesn't go to far, it's nice having her in constant contact - literally every 2 minutes, though I think the novelty will wear off soon.

• Do you think that the Nectar offer of double points on all of your shopping for 30 days each time you purchase a bundle makes the service more desirable or not?
  

I haven't been to my local Sainsbury's for years and I've never had a nectar card either, I will now be checking out my local sainsbury's more often now because of this offer.

• How have you found the Mobile by Sainsbury's customer care?
  

I've had no reason to contact them yet, however I do think this should be free!

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend this network to your friends or not?
  

Yes, already recommended to my mum and she's looking into a bundle as it's cheaper than her current provider.

• Bearing in mind that the bundle of 200 minutes/unlimited texts/250 MB data costs £10, do you think that the service is good value for money or not?
  

I think it is very good value, however we have a non internet phone so feels like I'm paying for a service, i'm not getting. I think they should have a text/calls bundle with a few more minutes for non internet users.

Another note - The promo text are annoying, far to many of them!

[Blatherskite]

Well, I ended up ringing the helpline to help get set up and they were lovely so that's a good plus so far. I'm liking the way the Helpline and the Top up line are automatically in the contacts list. I just rang DH and the reception was good. I've had a fair few texts to set up the data use too which have all gone perfectly so far. I know we're not testing the phone itself but I'm really liking the Fame so far too :)

I'll leave doing the feedback until I've had a chance to use it a bit more I think

[Groovee]

We have the fame too. I didn't need to pick a sim service. I just put the battery and followed the set up.

Trigglesx Can you not send a message to stop them?

[Trigglesx]

I don't know actually. I'll look at them and see if there's an opt out. It's just annoying to have to do so. My current service sends me one text per month - to let me know my minutes/pkg has been reset for the month.

[Blatherskite]

I was trying to set up the WiFi connection when it popped up and there wasn't a 'back out' option, just a choice of SIM services, none of which were Sainsbury's. I had Vodafone, TalkTalk, Mobile-something and even Asda all of which looked wrong obviously.

I was told to pick Vodafone in the end.

[daisychicken]

Arghh... We were another lot who didn't realise that the top-up didn't automatically buy a bundle and ds has already used some of the credit so we now don't have enough left to buy a bundle... not sure what to do tbh, just let ds use it till the credit runs out?

SO FAR:

• How do you find the signal coverage? Is it reliable? Have you had any issues with this?
  

Excellent coverage - no dips so pleased about that.

• How has your family been using the service? i.e. is it you or your DC/DP who has the handset? How useful have you/they found the Mobile by Sainsbury's service?
  

Found the top up/bundle confusing and haven't got the bundle as only just realised so now haven't enough cash on the phone to buy a bundle. That confusion is disappointing.

Ds2 is using the phone as DH & I both have a contract, ds1's pay as you go is topped up till the end of month. Plus the phone is a very very basic Samsung E1190 which none of us are keen on!

• Do you think that the Nectar offer of double points on all of your shopping for 30 days each time you purchase a bundle makes the service more desirable or not?
  

I'm not a Sainsbury's shopper so it isn't something I would use / get benefit of.

• How have you found the Mobile by Sainsbury's customer care?
  

Not spoken to them as the phone quality is awful and I cannot hear what is being said. I will ask DH when he gets home.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend this network to your friends or not?
  

Not sure I would tbh... Ds1 is giff gaff and I find the top up service via the web much easier to use and more variety of bundles.

• Bearing in mind that the bundle of 200 minutes/unlimited texts/250 MB data costs £10, do you think that the service is good value for money or not?
  

Am unsure based on the fact we already have a giff gaff plan - £10 gives 509 minutes, unlimited texts and 1Gb data. Based on that... I'd go with giff gaff - sorry!


Unable to test the data part of the package as the phone has no Internet access.

[Groovee]

Out of interest, 30 of us were chosen... there were to be 6 phones, of which 2 don't have internet access, which means as many as 12 don't have access to the internet which is rather useless seeing as we were meant to try the bundle out. Did as many as 12 testers not get an internet phone or was less sent out?

[Groovee]

Also other networks allow you to send a text to get your balance and allowance, could sainsbury's consider this?

[DelayedActionMouseMaker]

Groovee, I'm not sure if there were just 6 phones or whether the brands were just mentioned in the request. If you look at the MBS website there are more than 6 in the plan available.

[Groovee]

No one seems to have got a lumia but a few got a Galaxy Y. But I am wondering how many non internet phones were sent out. (just cos I am generally nosy). I know there are more phones on the site as I've been using the link a lot to ask questions in the FAQ's.

[NotShortImFunSized]

Daisy ring customer service and explain you didn't realise you had to choose a bundle and they should just credit your account and sort the bundle out for you.

I only realised what I'd done, or rather not done, when I had £1.98 left and the lovely man gave the money back and sorted it all out for me :)

[daisychicken]

Thanks NotShort, I'll get DH to ring tomorrow - it's a pain having phone to test that I can't use cause I can't hear on it! The sound quality is awful!

[SisterMatic]

I got the Nokia 100 so unfortunately cannot test the internet bundle (perhaps there should be a bundle for none internet phones, if there is ans I haven't noticed I apologise)
Generally, so far..so good! Sends texts and recieves them fine. Made and received calls and everything is ok with that. I am using this phone myself and my partner occasionally makes calls too.

I am receiving a fair few texts from sainsburya though which can get a little annoying..sorry! Not spoken to any call centre staff so cannot comment on that. Compared to my contract, and using my own handset this tariff is quite desirable also when taking the nectar points into account. I think it is alright value.

If it came up into conversation I would recommend it if I knew the person shopped at sainsburys.

I know I haven't answered the questions in format but I think I have covered all the points required. Thanks sainsburys and mumsnet

[SisterMatic]

Missed a point! I also found the top up confusing, I spent a while on the phone a bit confused.

[afromom]

I must admit, I think given we got a phone without Internet to test and as that was the most important part for us, due to needing Skype/tango/what's app to stay in touch with people abroad I would be less likely to stay with Sainsbury's after the trial than if we had one with Internet.

If we had a more useful phone I would have just continued after the end if the trial, as it does seem a good deal. But as we don't, I will now be shopping around to see if we can find a better deal, on phone that does have Internet, or a bundle with no Internet and more minutes, so that I'm not paying for a service that can't be used.

Bit of a waste for us really, and not particularly good foresight from Sainsbury's as I'm sure they would have had better results and a more balanced view if everyone had a comparable phone/experience.

[Trigglesx]

Yes, agree that actually they would have been better to send out Samsung galaxy phones to everyone, so there wasn't loads of discussion on differences and whether or not it was phone related or service related. And then people could discuss like vs like. And everyone could do internet testing as well.