News 2003
Virgin Mobile says: Every little (bit of small print) hurts!
22/09/2003
Virgin Mobile today warned consumers to be aware of the small print and catches hidden in Tesco Mobile’s new service.
Tom Alexander, chief executive of Virgin Mobile, said: “We are delighted to welcome Tesco Mobile into the virtual network marketplace, but we warn consumers to check out Tesco Mobile’s small print – every little hurts!”
Tesco Mobile has launched what it claims to be a ‘clear and straightforward calling plan’ but its proposition is riddled with caveats.
Call costs
Tesco Mobile has buried a ‘5p per call’ minimum call charge in its small print, even if the call lasts only a few seconds – Virgin Mobile has no minimum charge.
Tesco Mobile charges 10p per minute for calls to voicemail. Virgin Mobile voicemail calls are free.
Tesco Mobile charges 20p per minute to seek help from customer service. Virgin Mobile, which has won many awards for its excellent customer service, charges just 10p for the whole call.
Tesco Mobile charges 20p per minute for all calls to landlines, regardless of how much you use the phone - this is among the most expensive in the marketplace. Virgin Mobile calls to landlines cost just 15p a minute for each of the first five minutes each day, then 5p a minute after that - for up to 23 hours 55 minutes a day.
Tesco Mobile allows customers to choose 3 favourite numbers to which texts sent are charged at 5p each – but only if they are Tesco Mobiles. Virgin Mobile’s customers can send texts to more than 3,000,000 people (that’s all other Virgin Mobile customers) for just 3p a text.
Tesco Mobile charges 50p a minute for directory enquiries. Virgin Mobile charges 40p a minute for the first minute then 20p a minute after that for calls to its directory inquiries partner.
Tesco Mobile customers are charged a minimum of 89p per minute to phone UK landlines while abroad. Overseas calls to the UK cost from 55p a minute on Virgin Mobile.
Tesco Mobile customers pay a minimum 89p a minute to receive a call from the UK while abroad. A Virgin Mobile customer who is abroad would pay from just 30p per minute to receive a call from the UK.
Tesco Mobile offers only typical pre-pay ways to pay. Virgin Mobile offers its customers a wide choice of ways to pay, including pay monthly by direct debit – and free itemised bills.
Phones
Tesco Mobile offers customers a choice of just two phones at the moment – the Nokia 3410 and the Nokia 3510i. Virgin Mobile has 15 phones in its range to choose from – and the Nokia 3510i is £20 cheaper to buy from Virgin Mobile at the moment.
If a Tesco Mobile customer has a problem with their handset they must contact that handset manufacturer directly. Virgin Mobile customers simply contact Virgin Mobile, regardless of which handset they own.
