Buying a giffgaff phone

Interested in buying your new phone with giffgaff? This guide will help you answer the questions you may have.

I'm not a member, can I purchase a handset?

If you're not already a giffgaff member then you can simply select the handset, a goodybag and your payment options. When you validate your basket, we will ask you to create a giffgaff account.

This account will be used to manage your orders and delivery details. You can also use it to post on the community forum.

We will send you a giffgaff SIM card with the phone, that you need to activate on the account used to purchase the phone to start using your goodybag. Your giffgaff account will then be used to manage your goodybags and credit as well.

Please be aware that if you're ordering a phone on a Bank or Public Holiday, that you will need to add an extra day for each Bank or Public Holiday. Phone orders are not processed on these days.

New members: You're required to buy the initial goodybag with your phone order. If you choose to cancel your phone order within the cancellation period then you're also able to cancel your goodybag at the same time. If you want to carry on using the giffgaff service and not cancel your goodybag then you must contact us.

You have 21 calendar days (14 working days) as described in the change of mind policy from when the phone is received to do this.

I'm already a member, can I purchase a handset?

Of course, our phone offer was created with existing giffgaff members in mind.

In order to purchase a phone, please log in first. This way we won't ask you to select a goodybag with your phone. If you don't, we will simply ask you to log in later and remove the goodybag you selected.

As a giffgaff member, you will be able to use your existing SIM card and credit / goodybag.

To buy a phone, you will just have to select it and your payment preferences. We will then ask you to log in and confirm your personal details before asking you to check out. When this is done and your payment is accepted, we will process your order and send you a confirmation.

It's as simple as that.

Do I need to order a new SIM?

All the phones are sent with a brand new SIM card so you don't have to worry about that.

If you're a new member, we will send you a SIM card with the goodybag you chose during the purchase already attached to it. You'll need to activate this SIM card on the website to be able to use the goodybag, with the details you used during the purchase of the phone (i.e. your member name and password). You can find more information about this procedure in this article.

If you're an existing member, you can simply use your normal SIM and give your new SIM card to a friend. Or if your old SIM does not fit in your new phone, you can use this new SIM instead. Just swap your SIM to transfer your number, credits and goodybag to this new SIM.

You want to buy a new phone but you have reported your SIM as lost or stolen

The giffgaff system currently allows you to buy a new phone even when your SIM card has been reported as lost or stolen.

However, if you decide to buy a new phone and you have already reported your phone and/or SIM card as lost or stolen using the barring process then you will be asked to buy a new goodybag with your new phone order even if you currently have an active goodybag.

Unfortunately at this time we are unable to change this process and this is the only way to buy a new phone from us if your SIM has already been deactivated.

If you do not wish to buy this second goodybag then you should wait for your replacement SIM to arrive and then order a phone once it's been activated.

If you choose to proceed with the purchase of the phone then please Contact an agent to have this goodybag refunded. Under no circumstances should the SIM that arrives with the new phone be activated on the account, doing so will place a new number on the account.

In either situation, the replacement SIM should arrive in an envelope as described here.

Can I spread the cost of my phone?

We stock phones to suit every need and budget. In order to help you finance your new purchase, we have been looking at solutions to help you spread its cost over several months, without asking you to sign up for a lengthy mobile contract.

In true giffgaff spirit, we are proposing a solution of peer 2 peer lending with RateSetter. This way, you can finance your phone purchase with a loan and spread its cost over 6, 12, 18 or 24 months. Loans are only available on phones priced at £99 or more.

Please note that:

You must be at least 18 years old to apply for a RateSetter loan; and
You need a debit or credit card in your name and registered at your current address; and
You must be able to provide U.K. addresses for the last 3 years, without any breaks.

This solution allows you to pay separately for your phone and for your monthly goodybag. This way you can change you goodybag to whatever you like. Buy a higher or lower plan than originally bought or stop the plan altogether and be on PAYG rates. Your choice.

Please note that if you're already a RateSetter user your loan application may be rejected because you're using the same email address for your existing RateSetter account. In this case, you can use a different email on giffgaff to complete your loan application and your phone purchase.

You can also see this article for more information.

Will I be credit checked?

If you're paying the full amount of your phone with your credit or debit card, you won't be credit checked, as you're not applying for a loan.

If you're spreading the cost of your phone by signing up for a peer 2 peer loan, you will be credit checked as part of the application process. This will be a soft credit check which means that it will neither appear on your credit history nor affect your credit rating.

You will be asked for your addresses over the past 3 years in order to complete the check. Make sure to provide complete and accurate information during the purchase so the credit check will be run under the best conditions.

You can use external agencies to find out your credit score. You can also talk to your bank or a personal financial adviser about your credit score and the best way to improve it.

Do I need a credit or debit card?

Whether you choose to pay for your new phone today or spread the cost over a few months, we will ask you for your debit or credit card details, as these details are needed to apply for the loan and, when applicable, to make the initial payment.

If you plan on paying the full amount for a high end phone with a debit or credit card, we advise you to contact your bank to make sure they will accept the transaction.

Make sure to give the address where your card is registered, so the transaction can be accepted and you can go through with your order. Giving us a different address will result in the order being rejected.

The same credit / debit card will be used to pay for your goodybag each month. This can be changed in the my payments section of your account settings.

Are giffgaff phones locked to giffgaff?

All phones are unlocked, ready for any UK network's SIM. We think you should be free to do what you like with your phone, and so every phone you buy from giffgaff is completely unlocked and will stay that way. This applies to iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Phone - the lot.

When will my phone be delivered?

Phones are delivered Monday to Friday. There are no deliveries on Saturday, Sunday or Bank/Public holidays. The list below indicates when your phone will usually be delivered, based on the day you place your order.

Note: Please be aware that if you're ordering a phone on a Bank or Public Holiday, that you will need to add an extra day for each Bank or Public Holiday. Phone orders are not processed on these days.

Order placed between Monday and Thurday - Delivery next working day
Order placed between Friday and Sunday - Delivery on Monday

Note: If you're buying your new phone with a loan from RateSetter, your order time and day is when we receive confirmation and payment from RateSetter.

Please refer to the guide to phone deliveries for further information.

Are giffgaff phones new, and do they have a warranty?

All new handsets purchased from giffgaff come with a standard manufacturer backed warranty. This means that should your handset develop a fault (excluding accidental or water damage) you can either return the handset for a repair to giffgaff (if required & decided upon by the engineers) or the original manufacturer within the warranty period.

The warranty periods of your new handset can vary from 12-24 months (1-2 years) dependant on the manufacturer.

For all warranty information regarding new, refurbished and marketplace phones have a look at the giffgaff handset warranties page.

Protect your phone

iOS, Android, Windows Phone and BlackBerry OS-based phones all have methods which in the event of losing your phone enable you to keep tabs on where your smartphone is via a computer and in some cases, what state it's in.

Note that you need to have subscribed to these services and applications before losing your phone as it requires a set-up step.

Phones are expensive items and we advise to insure yours. It will not only cover you if it is lost or stolen but can also cover accidental damages depending on the policy you subscribed to.

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