Britain too busy talking to get value for money

Dazzled by a raft of special offers, freebies and brand new smartphones, customers are being lured into mobile phone contracts they don't necessarily need according to a survey by leading price comparison website moneysupermarket.com.

Worryingly the results show over half (55 per cent) of those adults with a mobile phone were not influenced by the tariff when choosing their latest deal, but instead by the make of handset and free gifts.

In a bid to keep up with the latest gadgets, a third (35 per cent) of all mobile phone users said the make and model of the handset influenced them most when choosing their latest deal. One in five (20 per cent) said network coverage was the most important factor and one in six (18 per cent) admitted to being lured in by a special offer.

The survey also shows over nine million people aren't negotiating new contracts and consequently loosing the opportunity to save money - one in five (20 per cent) haven't negotiated a new contract in over a year.

James Parker, manager of mobiles at moneysupermarket.com, said: "At a time when every penny counts, it's more important than ever to ensure you don't have to pay for what you don't need. There are some great deals out there, but if people don't look to get the most for their money, or are sucked into free gifts and shiny handsets, they could end up paying way over the odds for their mobile deal."

moneysupermarket.com's latest survey on mobile phone contracts shows it pays to look for a new deal every 12 months. The results reveal that, of those who had changed their deal in the last year, three in 10 (29 per cent) haggled and got a better deal and one in seven (15 per cent) threatened to leave to get a better deal.

Parker continues: "When searching for a new deal I'd advise customers to be more aware of what package they have and what's available to them. People should check their bill regularly - if they're using up all their allowance it's worth considering a move to a different tariff with more inclusive minutes and texts. It could save a lot of money in the long run."

moneysupermarket.com top tips on mobile phone contracts

Don't be easily lured by free gifts - consider your needs and decide if the deal is good value for you.
Beware of contract quirks and hidden charges such as non-direct debit payment charges and cancellation fees.
Don't be afraid to haggle, providers will reward loyalty.
Shop around for a bundle deal (mobile, broadband and TV) - this can offer big savings.
Make sure your usage matches your contract - often there is a better deal out there for your needs.