Includes $30 Credit.
Includes a single SIM in all sizes.
Works in 3G and 4G mobile, tablets and mobile broadband device.
T&C: Offer valid in Coles and BI-LO Supermarkets (excludes Coles Online and Coles Express).$30 must be spent in a single transaction and excludes purchase of the Telstra prepaid $30 SIM and Coles Group Gift Cards, tobacco and tobacco related purchases. While stock lasts. Limit 1 per customer. No trade sales.
@bluecasper:
Just to be clear, is the loyalty discount flybuys related or a completely independent voucher on the receipt?
june this year or next year!?
It doesn't come as a voucher - the sim has to be scanned after $30 of items. I just went to the checkout right next to the service desk and asked them to get me a $30 Telstra starter pack. At first it scans at $30 but then comes down to $1 when the operator selects a payment method. I didn't need a flyby card.
Can I use the $30 credit to unlock my testra locked phone?
yes you can, I used the credit to unlock my Telstra prepaid mobile broadband device.
Suggestions in the OzBargain Telstra Starter Pack Wiki on how to get the most from these packs. Some details may need to be updated, as Telstra changes it's offerings regularly, so check the Telstra site also.
For example, get a year of phone service for $2 with 400 minutes of included calls.
For times when you need more calls, connect a pack as Freedom Plan (capped calls, 1.3GB, plus free call choices like free calls after 6pm) & creditme2u $29 of the $30 credit to another Telstra sim.
be careful of telstra sim number expiry. i bought a few last year and it seems telstra recycles its unused phone numbers quite quickly - which means the stipulated phone numbers may get recycled / activated by other ppl even before expiry date stated on the package. they then ask you to buy another 2 dollar sim to transfer credits to. that caused me so much pain with their outsourced call centre which eventually gave me credits that i could use to recharge my other number but it is just really manual and i have to call them every time, explain the situation, request them to recharge.
Doubt that will will be an issue here, with a good turn over of stock at Coles. Expiry reported as 2017.
Happened to me 1 week ago on a nearly 2 year old SIM. Was activating a few days before expiry.
Pretty shit treatment. But was happy with outcome as I didn't need the sim, was activating because it was expiring.
Telstra have to provide a working sim free, as that is part of the Starter Pack purchase. A SIM Starter Pack without a working sim… they have to provide one with a number.
But an overseas call centre can't help with SIM issues. Was told to take to a Telstra Shop. Manager there refused to help without proof of purchase. Offered free $2 SIM with that proof.
I rang & got Telstra to credit my account with $30 credit to apply to any SIM when I want. (I have so many used SIMs with no credit, so they suggested adding credit to one of those.) That way, I can use the credit as a Recharge on an existing account. So worked out to my advantage ;-)
That's exactly happened to me with almost 3 months before expiry, what pissed me off even more was the pre-assigned number was really nice and easy to remember, i spent almost an hour at the Telstra shop with the staff assistance on the phone to the Philippine ended up having to pay $2 for new Sim then they put $30 on it, but they won't give me back that number because someone else is already using it. So best to activate in ample time just in case
I think its just kinda stupid to have an expiry date stated that applies to just the credit or sim itself but not the phone number. i can imagine they must get tons of calls and visits to their branches for that.
The call centre operator admitted they get this kind of calls from time to time, i recon they're down playing it
I had a similar situation like this 2 year ago and the sim in question was a very nice number and easy to remember as well. I don't think it's because Telstra recycled them early but rather due to their slack security during activation process. Both mobile number and sim serials are printed at the back and you only need either of these to activate. So i guess some dodgy guys can just do a random test on their activation website to get some nice number activated, then go to Telstra shop to swap for a blank sim then voilà they got new number with free credit. Unlike Telstra, Optus and Vodafone are rather strict about this, to activate sim you have to physically possess it and open it to get the information inside.
That makes sense, good sleuthing btw
In my case, I was told by Telstra the number had been recycled. It was in use as a post paid service.
The starter pack was not on public display & I bought it from new stock at the store, almost 2 years before I tried to activate. The number was put into use over a year after I put the sim in my drawer.
Besides, only the number was not available - in use as a post paid not prepaid service. The credit was available for transfer, which blows the theory. Telstra would not transfer credit to another SIM if it had been used.
Numbers cost Telstra. A number not in use is a waste of money for them. So they reissue numbers that have not been activated in ages, or ones that have been used but not recharged within 6 months of expiry. It's rude, but it's just business to Telstra.
There is absolutely no proof for your theory.
@brucefromaustralia: @brucefromaustralia: well, based on the information I gather I believe my theory is highly plausible, it might not in your case but it might in other case. You don't even need the sim in your possession to do the activation, that's the fact. Telstra allocated a mobile number in the sim pack, unlike Optus and Vodafone who only give you out the number during activation. So you can easily guess a Telstra number and activate it.
The only thing may prevent this is Telstra has a system in place to tell which sim pack has been marked as sold and it is connect with retailer and once buyer purchase a sim pack, it 'release' the number into public, which we as normal custom don't see.
Regarding your case, the number was easy to use so it might be Telstra gave it to a postpaid customer to make the sale, and they must've known that number is unused, otherwise someone will sue them. Your point about its credit is irrelevant here, a $2 sim pack or $30 would make no different to Telstra.
optus sold my number to someone else while I was still using it! sometimes the call would come to me but most calls went to the new owner. they told me too bad I need to change numbers
@lgacb08:
The point about the credit still available to that Starter Pack is crucial.
Under your imagined scheme, people are activating Starter Packs with blank sims. The number was associated with the Starter Pack, with its credit. Simply by activating the number, credit is used up. That has not been what others report, credit has not been touched, just there is no phone number associated with the Starter Pack.
The only way a number can be activated & credit not be used is if the number has been stripped from the associated Starter Pack. Only Telstra can do that with its numbers, as far as I understand.
If both the phone number & credit disappeared, your theory would be a possibility. But then Telstra would refuse to even consider transferring the non-existent credit, claiming the Starter Pack had already been activated & tell you to bugger off. No one has reported that!
Given the cost of phone numbers to Telstra, and they do recycle used inactive phone numbers, and they have stated they recycle unused phone numbers from these accounts, I think phone numbers being reused (especially the good ones) is the most plausible, but less thrilling solution.
@kima:
Years ago,Telstra attempted to give away my personalised number (04bruce123). A Telstra staff member stopped them & contacted me. I was taking a complaint against Telstra to the TIO & things got nasty from Telstra. Pretty rotten paying for a service, but not receive it because the Telco gave your number away :-(
@brucefromaustralia: would you think anyone do the blank activation and goes on Ozbargain to boast a deal about it? how many vote do you think this deal is going to get? +50,000 or —50,000?
Because it was Telstra who took your number and sold it to someone else as postpaid then of course the credit was untouched, otherwise that Telstra staff would tell to that customer: "Oh I think you also got a $30 credit bonus with this special sim".
I was the one having that nice number activated and used and Telstra had no idea why it happened (maybe they did but rather playing dumb) and that number came with $30 credit, they only said it had been already activated. In my case it happened before I purchased it so I could prove it wasn't me and able to get a refund.
I can just walk in to Coles/Woolies/Target and do the dodgy thing to prove my theory but it'd be considered theft so i just rather leave it here. Just like back the day when telco use the scratch away recharge card (not sure if they still do), there's still a probability that you can scored a free recharge voucher by entering some random 12 digit number but that would be like winning $20million lotto (before they ban your mobile account). Using telstra activation webpage to do some random test on number is the same thing but you end up with a much larger probability, but to score a $30 sim may be more difficult, depending on the ratio of blank sim vs with credit sim.
@lgacb08:
Well without proof, it's just an idea without merit. Show us proof, and we might listen. I certainly won't stop you thinking your thoughts, so keep on thinking them. I'm happily out of this useless conversation.
@brucefromaustralia: they "stole" my number too. It has 6 consecutive numbers. Never let it lapse either. Always in use since 2004. No call from Telstra.
Not sure how I can get it back. The interesting part is I am still using it. But it is no longer in my name.
Not sure what to do either… :( Any ideas?
@Son ofa Zombie:
I took my case to the TIO, but Telstra had "mislaid" some system notes. Telsta were bastards, and their notes were crucial for my case.
They blamed me for the attempted number change - saying I had requested the transfer of the number to a stranger.
I had my MP k. Rudd fighting my case. The TIO found in favour of Telstra. It was a huge waste of time. After I took action to recover the missing documents, the TIO refused to examine them as the case had been closed.
But with the help behind the scenes by a Telsta staff member, I got my number back. But after the trauma of it all, I lost interest in using it.
Telstra did compensate me with Customer Service Guarantees in the form of credits, which I sold on & I left Telstra. I did make a few hundred dollars profit, but it was painful.
Not a happy outcome. But that was a long while back.
@brucefromaustralia: Can u tell any info of the "behind the scenes"?
I am tempted to find out the name and address of the person that my number is now registered to, by using a telstra staff member that is "relaxed" about customers privacy. So I can transfer my stolen number back to me! lol It is probably how my number was stolen anyway…
Hilarious how telstra didn't even listen to Rudd in ur case. lol
@Son ofa Zombie:
Did anyone listen to Kevin at the end?
The staff member investigated the case & stopped the transfer. I independently knew who the number was attempted to be transferred to.
It was part of many serious mistakes from Telstra over 1 week, but felt like months. It was painful. I don't want to go into it :-(
Is that what happened to mine? I was activating before expiry and it didn't accept. I thought they expired it early. They wanted me to buy a $2 SIM and activate it that way. They refused to put it on my other existing active SIM card as it is only for new SIMS apparently. Waste of everyones time. Was not happy.
Sounds like it. The SIM shows as 'invalid'. Without an active phone number a SIM can't work, so can't be activated. Of course the credit was still associated with the SIM, so was available for transfer.
But what a pain Telstra cause when they recycle unused phone numbers. It's their fault, so you do not have to pay to fix it, no matter what they say.
Great buy. Bought 2 in different transactions @ Derrimut VIC
So does $30 credit get you 2gb or 3gb with a tablet plan.. According to this https://www.telstra.com.au/tablets/prepaid-for-tablets it gives you 3gb… or is that only when you recharge?
Yeah but it looks like telstra has changed it back to 3gb too..
Telstra is about to change it's data rates for post paid accounts. Seems to be changing prepaid as well - about time.
looks like the 3Gb is for recharge only, actually Telstra's new recharge plans are great especially the 2 year pass for $140 with 16GB included data, I'm recharging my prepaid account with it now
can you send me the recharge link? i can't find it, thanks
Hmm, so when these new 'offers' are out combined with the $1 sims I should be able to buy 5 of them($145) credit me to you to my main mobile prepaid and then purchase the 16g 2 year data pack/pass all for $5+$150 of shopping for the 2 weeks the promo is happening?
Just saw that now. Looks awesome. That's basically providing you with $140 of credit with a 2 year expiry, along with 16GB of data. The $140 can be transferred to another mobile via creditme2u, correct?
Unfortunately not, as outlined below. Creditme2u does not work with Data Passes. It's a new world.
I can confirm it is 3gb for $30. Just activated online an old telstra sim I had lying around. You need to select the 'data pass' option. Guess the wiki should be updated too.
Thanks for the confirmation. That's good news ;-)
There are so many changes by Telstra, keeping the wiki updated is a problem. (#100# options changed about 2 weeks ago) Data offerings are currently changing.
But anyone is welcome to make changes ;-)
The wiki was originally a compilation of OzBargainers comments, experiences, & tricks to get the most from cheap starter packs. The intention was to provide 1 place to answer all those usual questions. Over time, the offerings changed.
Updated the wiki just then :)
@jdogg:
Thanks ;-)
Good on you for spotting the change in data. I've been using it for many years, until it dropped to 2GB nearly a year back. 2GB is just not enough, and 3 is more than enough for me - especially at this price.
@jdogg:
I've done a quick major rewrite of Using Starter Packs for DATA ONLY in the wiki with links, incorporating your update. Removed most ancient tips on iPad Plans.
Will update as we learn more.
@brucefromaustralia: Your wiki edit suggests the 3GB "iPad" starter sim comes with $30 (phone/google) credit, is this correct?
@jdogg:
Wikis are collaborative efforts. I was planning a rewrite when new data plans were announced.
But as these complex, multifaceted wikis develop on top of redundant details, sometimes it needs a complete rewrite. My enthusiasm for the task is not there, so it is easier to tidy up around the work of others.
So thanks for making me do the work and learn about Data Passes ;-)
jdogg, How does the 'data pass' show on your account?
Previously data was either subtracted from your credit as you used it, or shown as a data pack.
Some discussion of both data & credit available at same time?? (Double Dipping - I doubt it, but I may be wrong, again.)
Telstra Pre-Paid Mobile Broadband Data Pass
Credit: Recharge credit $30.00 remaining Expires 13 Jun 15
Data: Data 2.88GB max remaining Expires 12 Jun 15
Also give the option to purchase intl browsing plus packs.
@jdogg:
Thanks. Interesting!
So data & credit showing apparently independent of each other! (Seems you've used some data, without credit falling)
Does that mean you can transfer credit or use credit for Play purchases & retain the data??
More info posted on Telstra Data Data Passes… (its very new)
http://exchange.telstra.com.au/2015/05/13/do-more-with-pre-p…
http://crowdsupport.telstra.com.au/t5/Announcements/Telstra-…
http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2015/05/telstras-mobile-broadba…
http://www.itwire.com/it-industry-news/telecoms-and-nbn/6802…
That is awesome! Can you please try transferring a $1 away to another telstra sim and see if it works? m.telstra.com or #100# on a mobile. If we can actually creditme2u out from it, the $140 plan is incredible value IMO.
@brucefromaustralia:
Discussion of Data Passes on Whirlpool
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1207893&p…
Discussion of credit on Data Pass SIMs…
You get a credit balance that can be used to make purchases from Google Play, or international data packs. Data usage isn't impacted by these purchases at all.
You can creditme2u TO it, but not creditme2u OUT of it. However it's pointless unless you want to pool credit for use on Google Play or to buy an international pack, because at $2/MB it's not much use otherwise.
"Recharge Credit" will be consumed at the rate of $2/MB once your bonus/included data has been consumed.
Both the recharge credit balance AND the data allowance now roll-over for those on the Data Pass, unlike the previous offer where the data allowance would keep it's old expiry date and it was 'use it or lose it'.
@raven2000:
See whirlpool discussion… sadly no.
Can you please check if it's possible to creditme2u out from the data pass plan?
No, unfortunately you can't.
This was possible under the old grandfathered MBB & iPad data plans.
If it was like that everyone would jump onto it just to get the cheap data AND get to use it for other purposes other than Play Store and Text messages.
Alas this is not the case :(
No stock at Epping NSW. There were some at Carlingford, but I failed to get the SIM scanned at the same as the groceries, so no discount for me. There is no loyalty discount or barcode on the receipt that I got.
Will the 30 offset google music subscription or otherwise purchase tracks on google, although I am doubtful please jog my memory.
So can I buy $30 recharge voucher and get this for $1?
I want to know this as well :) please update :)
According to the T&C's yes. Practical experience, we don't know yet…
I just bought a $40 recharge and I got the starter pack at $1. in Narre Warren South, Melbourne
I just did. Went around to a few coles stores, got about 5 packs, and about $150 in recharge vouchers. Will be using the $150 to get the new 2 year data pass plan with 16gb data later.
Worked good for me.
Got one at Garden City Brisbane.
Expiry Feb 2017
edit
NFI why I'm associated with Coles.
Edit comment & unclick the associated box.
it wouldn't let me..
edit
I get this error message
"You are associated with this store. You must check the checkbox before commenting."
Well, I suppose I do shop there occasionally.
Job for the mods.
Plenty of stock at Garden City? Might pop over in the morning.
@brucefromaustralia:
I think so. They have all the prepaid deals out the front. You have to take a voucher to the counter to exchange for a real SIM card pack. There were lots of these vouchers out the front when I was there tonight.
spy!
$1 for $30 worth of Google Play credit is a…. WINNER!
Can you add the google play credit to your wallet - or do you have to make a purchase ? I accumulated a whole lot of credit through play vouchers on another deal - which is paying for my play music subscription for the next year or two. Would like to add this $30 to that balance. Is that possible ?
$1 "$30" starter pack= 3gb of data great for iPads and tablets.
can you still get SMS messages if you activate as a tablet?
Yes, as long as your device accepts them. I use these data sims in a cheap 4G phone, and receive calls & SMS. Even broadband Pocket WiFi devices receive SMS.
very good..
Can you also port your number, and use as a Data SIM (aka tablet, Wi-Fi device SIM)??
@Phoebus:
Can port number (but not Telstra to Telstra easily!) - it's just an ordinary SIM (just used for data).
But most would not bother as number is usually not used with data use. I discard SIM at end of month & insert next.
So if you wanted to receive SMS, using several of these sims over time, you would have to port out then back to Telstra for next SIM… A lot of bother (& expense with $2 SIMs from other telcos).
I use these sims on Longlife plan, then change to Simplicity to get 6 months on same number for $1, with 200 minutes of calls or SMS. It's also handy having a sim to transfer credit to with creditme2u - outlined in the wiki. That gives more credit for more calls & SMS.
3GB+0.215GB usage, wipes both balances?
then better purchase the content first.
Credit is unaffected by data use with the new Data Pass.
(Credit has limited use compared to other Telstra plans. It can't be transferred but apparently good for Google Play. Other use - buying extra data at $2/MB!! Possibly can use to buy overseas roaming pack. Can be rolled over with unused data IF you recharge. So use it before you lose it on expiry. )
It only started a few days back, so very little experience yet. I'm still learning since it was flagged in this deal last night.
Best source is whirlpool - Telstra mobile broadband discussion.
Thanks for adding that.
It follows that once on mbb\Data Pass, the credit cannot go to use of traditional hacks, namely longlife offer to simplicity offer.
Would want set android to 2.7gb max, or recharge $10 before 1mo. OTOH Simplicity wasn't all that flexible either- $100GB (300MB).
As you suggested, for use with Data Pass, use the credit first, so it isn't eaten up very quickly by the expensive $2/Mb excess data. *$30 credit is only 15MB! Same issue with the included credit with Freedom when using included data.
Suggestion added to Using Starter Packs for DATA ONLY.
For those new to this…
Using Freedom Plan, I set my phone's data to stop at 1GB or so, to avoid using more than the included 1.3GB. Then turn data back on as needed to use the rest of the data. I use CreditMe2u to transfer $29 of the $30 credit to another Telstra SIM.
If I bought something from Coles yesterday, can I use the receipt and claim it today for the $1 SIM?
Try and let us know, I'm in the same boat.
If Coles were doing opal recharge then it was much better but they don't at my postcode 2750
Can one use just the $30 credit without activating the sim? I am hoping it is a credit voucher number and not linked directly to the sim once activated. Can someone confirm please.
I think you have to activate it.
It is a Telstra $30 Starter Pack, which does not include any recharge voucher.
A Starter Pack is intended for someone without a sim. The new sim comes with credit & features, depending on the plan you choose on activation.
If you don't activate the sim, you just get a packet containing the sim. No activation, no credit.
Credit can only be used with the activated SIM, but may be transferred to another active Telstra sim as a top up (not recharge) with CreditMe2u. (If you activate for data with Data Pass, you cannot use CreditMe2u.)
you need to activate the sim
What if you purchase something over 30 then return it and keep the sim card?
If you use cash, and don't use FlyBuys card for the refund to be traceable… unless the person issuing the refund spots it… But in my experience with an genuine return, they spot the deal.
I have never been able to find ANY stock from past similar deals. :(
I have had similar experience. I left my shopping at the checkout the last time Woolworths did it to me.
I wonder how they can advertise a product and not stock it. It used to be illegal.
edit:
It is illegal in VIC and NSW, maybe other states too.
http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/ftw/Businesses/Advertising…
http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/shopping/advertising-and-prom…
I don't know what use the law is in this case though.
It is available at many Coles at the moment. Stock levels vary between stores. My local has plenty of stock today. In previous limited stock deals, many Coles restocked during the sale period.
I don't know what use the law is in this case though.
It doesn't apply to temporary stock shortages in a store. Legally, Coles are covered by the t&c of this special promotion "While stocks last.", and the fact many here are buying these stock & few report no stock available.
If that doesn't convince you, contact your State's Office of Fair Trading & find out if they want to waste their dwindling resources on your case.
vickie ozbargain's comment was followed minutes later from SuiCid3's comment of picking up
2 at 1 store. Both those comments were from the same city.
Seems people would better spend their time looking, ringing, asking where the nearest stock is or when new stock is arriving, rather than complaining. Some staff carry readers or phone apps to give this information. I've always found them helpful & much easier than a legal case ;-)
It doesn't apply to temporary stock shortages in a store
http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/ftw/Businesses/Advertising…
"You still may not be able to meet the demand during a sale but you should have at least planned for it and have reasonable stock or offers available. This is not just common sense, it’s the law"
yes it does !
Two stores I have visited this week had not heard of the offer and had no stock.
@Snoovey:
That's for an advertised sale. This promotion is unknown by most Coles staff. So it is not a normal sale. It's a limited stock promotion.
The origin of this promotion seems hazy - only seen in Sydney & Melbourne Mx papers with limited circulation. It may have been meant only to apply to certain areas of Australia, not everywhere.
Did you ask when they were restocking, which stores have stock - before complaining there is no stock? Just because there is no stock when you asked does not mean there will be no stock during the entire promotion period. After all, that would meet the requirements under law.
As I suggested, take it up with your State's Office of Fair Trading. They are a great but under-funded resource.
Unfortunately in my experience, there is little they can do in cases like this, especially if Coles shows adequate stock levels generally across Australia, and a desire to restock.
Also ask about the legality of Aldi Special Buys™ sales, where stock is always limited.
I look forward to your investigation.
@bluecasper: Thank you, that clears it up for me :)