Extra 50c added to phone credit

RedFormanFITA · 07-10-2013 9:08pm #1

Went into a store in Letterkenny, County Donegal recently and asked for €10 phone credit, was running low at the time and had to make some calls. Gave the assistant €10 and she told that it was now €10.50, I asked about this and she said all the stores were bringing it in. I was in a rush so I paid it and never thought anything of it until I went into another store a few days ago, to get buy more credit and they weren't charging this extra 50c. Why are some stores able to do that?

Sorry, newbie mistake, doh. Could a moderator please move this into the appropriate forum. Thank you.

elfy4eva · 07-10-2013 9:12pm

It's a common commission charge some smaller shops do with Phone credit. I stick to getting mine in Tesco or other supermarkets where you'll not be charged extra.

RedFormanFITA · 07-10-2013 9:27pm

Thanks elfy4eva, I will remember that next time. But the fact that she said all the stores were now bringing this extra charge in, stuck in my mind this past few weeks. This obviously wasn't the case so she either heard that incorrectly or was telling a wee porkie.

Scortho · 07-10-2013 9:29pm

RedFormanFITA wrote: »

Thanks elfy4eva, I will remember that next time. But the fact that she said all the stores were now bringing this extra charge in, stuck in my mind this past few weeks. This obviously wasn't the case so she either heard that incorrectly or was telling a wee porkie.

There's a thread on it in the rip off forum I think.
As far as I know, shop keepers now make a loss on phone credit so that's why the charge is brought in.

elfy4eva · 07-10-2013 9:33pm

RedFormanFITA wrote: »

Thanks elfy4eva, I will remember that next time. But the fact that she said all the stores were now bringing this extra charge in, stuck in my mind this past few weeks. This obviously wasn't the case so she either heard that incorrectly or was telling a wee porkie.

Sounds like a bit of a spoof on her part to keep you a cool customer. She could have potentially been talking about all stores (of that franchise) assuming you were in a franchise store. However my money was that she was feeding you a line

Tails142 · 07-10-2013 9:35pm

She lied to you and you've been thinking about 50c for the past few weeks, it's a travesty of justice, to the high court!!

Ha just kidding, yeah its common enough for small shops to charge a bit on top. But yeah it's the small stuff that counts, I still think about a pack of wine gums I took out of a hotel room mini bar and never got charged for years ago, the thought warms my heart on a cold night.

donegal11 · 07-10-2013 9:39pm

RedFormanFITA wrote: »

Thanks elfy4eva, I will remember that next time. But the fact that she said all the stores were now bringing this extra charge in, stuck in my mind this past few weeks. This obviously wasn't the case so she either heard that incorrectly or was telling a wee porkie.

The mobile phone companies changed their pricing structure so if a shop sold you a 10er call credit they'd lose money, some stores are willing to take the hit to get your custom.

RedFormanFITA · 07-10-2013 9:46pm

The bigger stores will take the hit and the smaller stores won't.

Faith · 07-10-2013 9:47pm

What a random forum to find this in!

I was in Garvey's supervalue in dingle over the weekend and saw a sign saying that due to changes in pricing structure, a surcharge would apply. Seems crap though.

Carriexx · 07-10-2013 9:47pm

They wouldn't make a loss, but they don't make as much as they used to.

Carriexx · 07-10-2013 9:47pm

They wouldn't make a loss, but they don't make as much as they used to.

08-10-2013 12:08am

No it's true as far as I know, the pricing structure was recently changed by the phone companies for amounts of 5 and 10 euro (but not on credit above €10). So those amounts will have a fifty cent charge, rolled out at various stages but eventually everywhere.

My local Centra has already begun it, whereas my local Post Office is bringing it in soon. But I've been assured it will be a blanket charge everywhere.

Twee. · 08-10-2013 12:10am

Moved to Consumer Issues

Bepolite · 08-10-2013 12:43am

Do people really still walk into shops and buy credit? Do you not just do this via internet banking.

That said the amount of people without bank accounts astounds me.

ScouseMouse · 08-10-2013 7:51am

Bepolite wrote: »

Do people really still walk into shops and buy credit? Do you not just do this via internet banking.

That said the amount of people without bank accounts astounds me.

Yep. You do that. And, unless you have completely free banking, you will pay a bank charge. They get you every way.

mathepac · 08-10-2013 8:00am

Bepolite wrote: »

... Do you not just do this via internet banking. ...

Do it via the phone companies' own websites and cut out all the middlemen.

Bepolite · 08-10-2013 11:39am

superscouse wrote: »

Yep. You do that. And, unless you have completely free banking, you will pay a bank charge. They get you every way.

I do, didn't realise they charged tbh.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 08-10-2013 12:41pm

superscouse wrote: »

Yep. You do that. And, unless you have completely free banking, you will pay a bank charge. They get you every way.

I have never had a bank charge for going through the phone company website.

dudara · 08-10-2013 12:55pm

Posters - stick to the original topic.

OP - the shop is entitled to add a "service fee" and you are entitled to choose to buy it or not. I don't think that the shop assistant deliberately told you a falsehood, but instead they shared what they thought was happening.

Miaireland · 08-10-2013 1:38pm

I've noticed that a few shops in my local area have letters up about the charge in the last few weeks. I am not sure who the letter is actually from. If I remember rightly there is no a 50c charge on €5 and €10 top ups.

Shelflife · 08-10-2013 1:50pm

Its not a service fee or a surcharge.

the cost price of the product commonly known as a "10 euro top up" has gone up and the retailers have passed that price increase on to the customer.

Firewalkwithme · 08-10-2013 1:54pm

I went to buy a 20 euro top up in Bus Stop in Nutgrove shopping centre and was told there would be a charge of 50c so perhaps it is not limited to 5 or 10 euro only.

I chose not to buy it there and instead went into the Three shop and got the top up for 20.

NIMAN · 08-10-2013 1:55pm

Seen that sign up in a couple of local supermarkets recently.

It only mentions top-ups of 10.00, so assume if you top more more its free?

Probably a bit like the "you can't use your Laser Card for less than €5 transactions" signs you also see.

Tippex · 08-10-2013 3:08pm

I may be wrong but afaik this is due also to the fee that is charged by payzone who handle the topups for the operators

foggy_lad · 08-10-2013 4:06pm

Bepolite wrote: »

I do, didn't realise they charged tbh.

Most Don't charge for debit card transactions online or in shops.

Remember OP for every shop charging this extra fee there are plenty more who do not charge it!

foggy_lad · 08-10-2013 4:10pm

Cartoon_Head wrote: »

I went to buy a 20 euro top up in Bus Stop in Nutgrove shopping centre and was told there would be a charge of 50c so perhaps it is not limited to 5 or 10 euro only.

I chose not to buy it there and instead went into the Three shop and got the top up for 20.

Many small shops already charged up to €2 for a €20 top up so they will not be overly worried about this rise in the cost of the wholesale product.

There are always going to be shops that do not add the cost of doing business on to the customer!

SHOP AROUND

Extra 50c added to phone credit

Comments