Visiting the UK next month, our iPhones are unlocked and wondered which sims we should buy, looked at giff gaff but reviews are terrible, want it to work well and tbh just want to one off buy something not end up with a contract to cancel
Then most importantly will be in Manchester and wondered if I can hire good quality mtb's anywhere as I can't be bothered bringing mine
thanks in advance
Where do you plan to go riding? Probably better to just hire bikes near where you ride.
giffgaff is fine, it piggy backs on the O2 network so you'll be fine.
I will have to play biking by ear, I know if I go to Llandegla or something I can get one but was wondering if there's anywhere in Manchester for if I just get one for the 2 weeks and just ride when I get chance, even locally
Giffgaff is great. I expect you'll find terrible reviews for everything if you look. Its very easy to set up and manage, no need for call centre misery. 321 on three is cheap for low usage and probably better at data if that's important. Both won't require a tie in. Just put some credit on it, use it then bin it when you are done
perfect thanks, I was put off by people saying texts took days to go through
people saying texts took days to go through
no they don't! Giffgaff is great - we've been with them for several years now, no probs at all bar one minor glitch several years ago which affected the whole o2 network for an hour or so.
If you look for reviews of UK mobile companies you'll find lots of damning reviews, as us Brits like to have a good moan online about stuff 😉
lol never noticed 😆
perfect thanks, I was put off by people saying texts took days to go through
No, it's the Tesco Mobile (which also shares O2) that is shite for messages.
Been on GiffGaff for over a year now. Can't say anything bad about them. I pay £5 a month for phone and txt. Negligible.
Three PAYG just top up, no bolt ons etc. pay for what you use. 3p per minute 2p per SMS, 1p per MB data
Bear in mind that with GiffGaff you need to get the SIM posted out to you, I don't think you can pick them up in shops. Not sure if they post outside the UK. When you receive the SIM you will need to activate it via the internet and buy some credit via their website.
If they ship to you then you can set it up beforehand. If not then you'll have to get it send to a UK address and set it up when you arrive at that address.
Yup, we've used giffgaff every time we've been back without issue (unless you count when the entire O2 network crashed in 2012)
Also worth noting, it took a week to port my number over to Giffgaff, previously it had only taken minutes. The real.problem was not being able to pick up the phone to talk to someone. Other than that its been fine.
Going back to bike hire, i'm not sure any of the major shops in/around the city centre will have anything to hire.
NorthWest Mountain Bikes have Demo bikes available for hire but not sure if they would work out a rate for a fortnight:
http://www.nwmtb.com/pg/57/Test-Bikes
"Put off by people saying texts took days to go through"
That's Vodafone
Three payg works well for us just as skids says up there ^ (and if it's going to be your main internet access the add-ons are decent value too). Coverage varies a lot by network in rural areas so your choice might depending where you are going to some extent.
Yeah, I'm on Three as well. No complaints, very good value and I've had no coverage issues personally. Saved a ton since I've stopped using contracts.
I'd say walking into a 3 shop and picking up a 321 sim was most likely the least hassle best value compromise. It's what I use and its been great
A quick google found this in the Peak
http://www.bikegarage.co.uk/hire-bikes/
Just get the train from Manchester to Bamford
ordered the giff gaff sims and sent to my Mums
thanks for the bike rental links