Just signed up for O2 and handset was delivered today (21st), as
agreed at time of order. They've already generated my first bill (they
don't hang about) and they've charged me in two lots;

a) from todays date for a full months line rental.
b) a pro-rata amount for line rental for yesterday (20th)

Is it usual for O2 to charge people for service before they've even
received a handset to use that sevice on?

Jack Torrence presented the following explanation :
Just signed up for O2 and handset was delivered today (21st), as agreed at
time of order. They've already generated my first bill (they don't hang
about) and they've charged me in two lots;

a) from todays date for a full months line rental.
b) a pro-rata amount for line rental for yesterday (20th)

Is it usual for O2 to charge people for service before they've even received
a handset to use that sevice on?

Before that, if they could.

"Jack Torrence" room217[at]overlook.freeserve.co.uk wrote in message
...
Just signed up for O2 and handset was delivered today (21st), as agreed at
time of order. They've already generated my first bill (they don't hang
about) and they've charged me in two lots;

a) from todays date for a full months line rental.
b) a pro-rata amount for line rental for yesterday (20th)

Is it usual for O2 to charge people for service before they've even
received a handset to use that sevice on?


Yes.

Another problem is that O2 only has 365 days in a year, so every leap year
the contract slips a day out of step with the billing date and you get
charged for another day's rental. OTOH with say 18M subscribers paying
£20 -25 per month that an extra three million pounds a year...

In article , "Jack Torrence"
room217[at]overlook.freeserve.co.uk says...
Just signed up for O2 and handset was delivered today (21st), as
agreed at time of order. They've already generated my first bill (they
don't hang about) and they've charged me in two lots;

a) from todays date for a full months line rental.
b) a pro-rata amount for line rental for yesterday (20th)

Is it usual for O2 to charge people for service before they've even
received a handset to use that sevice on?

Yes, if your alloted billing cycle is close to your order date.

And the same is true for other networks too. It's nothing to worry
about.

Regards
Jon

"Jon" wrote in message
...
In article , "Jack Torrence"
room217[at]overlook.freeserve.co.uk says...
Just signed up for O2 and handset was delivered today (21st), as
agreed at time of order. They've already generated my first bill
(they
don't hang about) and they've charged me in two lots;

a) from todays date for a full months line rental.
b) a pro-rata amount for line rental for yesterday (20th)

Is it usual for O2 to charge people for service before they've even
received a handset to use that sevice on?

Yes, if your alloted billing cycle is close to your order date.

And the same is true for other networks too. It's nothing to worry
about.

I beg to differ. Paying for a service before being able to use that
service is just ripping the customer off. It may only be an extra
pound or two but that soon adds up to quite a bit if done to every
customer.

If sky turned up to do an installation at your home today but they
billed you from yesterday you wouldn't be too happy, would you?