New PAYG phone and keeping number

[GillyE]

Hi,

I want to buy my partner a new phone for a present. He's on PAYG and wants to keep the same number and bundle, and keep all the rollover he has saved up. I'm aware that I can buy a new PAYG phone, which will come with a new SIM and new number, but my partner will be able to put in his current SIM card hence keeping his number and everything in tact.  However, when buying the phone online, I have to pay a minimum £10 top-up, so I will essentially waste £10 when he puts in his own SIM. 

is there a way I can buy a PAYG phone from EE without having to pay for the top-up?

Thanks.

[XRaySpeX]

Not from EE but have you considered buying an unlocked SIM-Free phone outright online from somewhere like Amazon? Then he just needs to put his existing PATG SIM in it.

[GillyE]

Yeah, I'm considering that option but I know he feels more secure buying from EE.

[XRaySpeX]

Why? It's only a shop. If not direct from Amazon, what about Currys or CPW? You probably get longer return policies.

[mikeliuk]

Hi @GillyE ,

I highly recommend not to buy a device in an EE store as you will have no right to return a device even if a serious mistake is made in choosing the item.

A recent such example seen on these forums is where a customer bought a smaller model of phone than intended.

In contrast, I'm aware of Amazon fully refunding a faulty phone many months after purchase. Good luck! 🤓

[bristolian]

If you'd prefer to buy your chosen phone from EE that's an option, but EE only sell phones with SIMs and a compulsory top-up.

What you do with that SIM and credit, is entirely upto you.

The advice in the previous post regarding returns policies applies to all in-person retail shop purchases, none of which come with any "change of mind" right of return.

Any online purchase would. That applies regardless of who the retail shop or online website, is.

[mikeliuk]

If you purchased in-store, and the product is unopened and is pristine condition, then we’re giving you extra time to return your product, you’ll have 21 days from your local store re-opening.

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/help-and-services/shopping-with-us/returns-and-refunds-16-commercial.h...

If you've changed your mind and need to return an item, you have 30 days from the date of purchase to return your item(s).

In-line with our returns policy, your item(s) needs to be:

• Unopened

• Unused

• In its original packaging (with the tags)

• In a resaleable condition

• With its proof of purchase

• You’ll also need to return any free items that came with the product.

https://www.argos.co.uk/help/returns-and-refunds/

RETURNING YOUR PRODUCT BECAUSE YOU CHANGED YOUR MIND

Please return your item unused and in original condition (including all labels and tags intact) with proof of purchase within 35 days, and we’ll give you an exchange or refund, as long as your returned product meets our terms and conditions.

https://www.johnlewis.com/customer-services/returns?dt=informationOnOurReturnsPolicy

[XRaySpeX]

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@bristolian wrote:

The advice in the previous post regarding returns policies applies to all in-person retail shop purchases, none of which come with any "change of mind" right of return.

While statutorily that is true, it does not apply to stores' individual optional policies. Indeed EE stores are the worst, & maybe only, that doesn't.

[XRaySpeX · Accepted solution]

When considering buying PAYG phones from EE it all boils down to only buying them if they are at least £10/20 (for the compulsory Top-up) cheaper than everywhere else. 

[GillyE]

Thanks all for your helpful responses.