Questions and Answers
So we can provide a swift and convenient way of answering any questions you may have, we have listed below the most often asked questions we receive. Just click on any question and the appropriate answer will appear beneath. Click on the same question again to hide the answer.
QUESTIONS BEFORE PURCHASING
Q: I would like to purchase a personalised mobile number from your website, how do I know that I will be able to use the number?
A: All of the personalised mobile numbers we supply can be used successfully with all of the main network service providers in the UK.
These include BT Mobile, O2, Orange, 3, T-Mobile, Tesco Mobile, Virgin Mobile and Vodafone.
Q: Does it matter if I am a Pay As You Go (pre-pay) customer, or do I have to be a Pay Monthly (contract) customer with a monthly bill?
A: No. Regardless of whether you choose to pre-pay for your airtime as a Pay As You Go customer or opt to pay a monthly bill as a contract customer, you will be able to purchase and successfully use any of our personalised mobile numbers.
Q: I have an existing contract at the moment, can I use my new personalised mobile number with my existing contract?
A: Yes, you should be able to. You can purchase your new personalised mobile number from us and then move it across onto your existing contract. We will provide you with the porting authority code (PAC) that allows you to do this for you to then pass on to your network service provider. However we do recommend you check with the service provider involved to make sure that they will allow you to do this.
Q: I would like to purchase a personalised mobile number from your unique database, can I know the full number before I purchase it?
A: No. Unfortunately we are unable to provide this information for several important reasons. Firstly, as our stock is constantly changing we cannot offer specific numbers to clients in advance of any purchase. This is to avoid any disappointment that could arise should the same number be sold to another client after it has been offered to you, but before you have had the opportunity to purchase it. Secondly, we must consider the privacy of each future client who will eventually own and use our mobile numbers. Finally, we must also consider the safety and security of the mobile numbers we hold in our stock. For these reasons we cannot confirm the full number to you in advance of any purchase.
Q: I would like to purchase a personalised mobile number from your unique database, can I choose the full number I am purchasing?
A: In most cases yes, but it depends on the number you are purchasing and only if a choice is available. With most of our Silver, Gold and Platinum mobile numbers we are able to offer you a choice of up to five different mobile numbers (when available) that match your chosen six-digit personalised number combination. After you have purchased your new personalised mobile number and we have verified your payment is genuine, we will contact you to offer you a choice of mobile number from the suitable numbers we have available (up to a maximum of five). We can confirm that every mobile number offered to you will exactly match the six-digit personalised mobile number you have purchased. We regret that with all of our Bronze mobile numbers a choice of full number is not available. This is due to the very limited availability of each Bronze number combination. However please be aware that in all cases we reserve the right to allocate any suitable mobile number we have available to your purchase and our decision is final.
Q: I have been advised against buying a mobile number from online auction sites, why is this?
A: You have been advised correctly. Many of the mobile numbers offered for sale over the internet, including online auction sites, are not actually available for sale, are stolen or simply do not exist. This is usually only discovered after you have made your payment and either your SIM card or PAC code does not arrive, or your new mobile number is subsequently disconnected (legally) by the network to be returned to its original rightful owner. Buying your new mobile number from us ensures that all of these risks are eliminated and provides total peace of mind.
Q: I have noticed that there are others selling personalised mobile numbers, why should I purchase from Metallic Numbers?
A: Metallic Numbers are the recognised market leaders for personalised mobile numbers in the UK. No one can match us for choice, experience, service or value. We are a VAT-registered Limited Company and the longest established retailer of personalised mobile numbers in the UK. Over the years we have earned the respect and trust of our clients - many of them high-profile individuals and VIPs - who purchase from us time and again and who are happy to recommend us because of our discretion and professionalism. In choosing to purchase your new personalised mobile number from us, you are ensuring that you are getting the best possible advice, the best service and the best value.
Q: How do I purchase my new personalised mobile number from Metallic Numbers?
A: Purchasing your new personalised mobile number couldn’t be easier. Once you decide which mobile number you would like to purchase, click on the appropriate purchase button and then complete the questions on our purchase page. Depending on how you choose to pay you will either be sent an e-mail with details of how to pay us by bank transfer, or you will automatically be directed to our secure online payment page. This page is provided to us by RBS WorldPay - the payment processing business of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group.
Q: How do I pay for my new personalised mobile number?
A: There are two ways that you can pay. You can either pay us direct by bank transfer which reduces the time it takes for you to start using your new personalised mobile number. Alternatively you can opt to pay us securely online using your credit or debit card - we accept most major cards including Mastercard, Mastercard Debit, Visa, Visa Debit, Visa Electron, Maestro and Solo.
Q: Are there any other ways to pay for my new personalised mobile number other than credit or debit card?
A: Yes. The other method of payment we accept is direct bank transfer which allows us to provide you with a faster service. When making your purchase just select to pay us by bank transfer and our bank details will be e-mailed to you after you have successfully completed your purchase. You can then arrange to transfer the full amount from your bank account to our bank account. Most of the major UK banks offer a “Faster Payment” service to its customers, allowing fast bank transfers to be sent from online banking, telephone banking or from your branch. Provided your bank participates in the Faster Payments scheme, transfers to our bank account are free and usually completed within just one hour. Please check with your bank if it provides the Faster Payment service to it’s customers.
Q: From the day that I make my purchase, how long will it be before I can start using my new personalised mobile number?
A: This depends on several factors. As there is a third party involved with every mobile number purchased (your network service provider) we cannot always predict how quickly they will act on your behalf. However a realistic estimate from the day you purchase your new personalised mobile number to being able to use it on your mobile phone is usually no more than 7 working days.
Q: I am in a hurry to start using my new personalised mobile number, is there any way I can start using it sooner?
A: Yes. If you select to pay for your new mobile number by bank transfer we can usually release the porting authority code (PAC) to you by e-mail the day after we receive your payment. You could be using your new personalised mobile number in as little as 3 working days.
Q: Other than the price shown next to each number, are there any additional costs I have to pay?
A: Not usually. Postage is free within the UK and VAT is included in the prices shown (unless stated otherwise). There are no hidden fees or other costs - the price displayed is the full one-off price you pay. The only instance where there may be an additional charge is when we are asked to despatch a SIM card outside the UK. The cost for this depends on the destination country and can be supplied upon request.
Q: I have seen a personalised mobile number on your website but I can’t quite afford it, do you negotiate on price?
A: No. All of the personalised mobile numbers featured on our website are priced at the correct market value taking into account desirability, rarity and demand. To ensure a fair pricing policy we do not offer discounts, so that all of our clients pay the same for comparable numbers.
Q: Can I reserve a personalised mobile number shown on your website, until I decide whether to purchase it or not?
A: We look at all requests to reserve a particular mobile number on an individual basis. At our discretion we may reserve a specific mobile number for you for a short period of time. Please contact us if you would like to request a reservation be placed on a specific mobile number.
Q: Have the personalised mobile numbers you retail been used by anyone else before?
A: Never. All of the personalised mobile numbers we retail are brand new, unused and previously unissued to anyone else. You will be the first user of your new personalised mobile number, which greatly reduces any instances of you receiving nuisance calls or wrong numbers.
Q: Does it cost more to call a personalised mobile number than calling a standard mobile number?
A: No. It costs the same to call any UK mobile number beginning 07 regardless of the actual mobile number itself. The only exception to this is “follow-me” Personal Numbers which start 070. Calls to these numbers are more expensive and for this reason we do not retail these particular numbers. (Please note that call charges to mobiles do vary depending on the service provider you are using to make the call).
Q: Do I have to be credit checked before I can purchase a personalised mobile number from your website?
A: No. You will not be credit checked if you decide to purchase a personalised mobile number from us. If you are paying us online by credit or debit card, we will verify that your transaction is genuine before we release your PAC code to you. If you are paying us by bank transfer, we will wait until the day after we receive your payment to release your PAC code to you.
Q: Is it possible to buy a personalised mobile number from your website now and then start using it at a later date?
A: Yes. But only if you advise us within 24 hours from when you make your purchase and we are able to delay issuing your PAC to you.
Q: How do I know what personalised mobile numbers on your website are available to purchase?
A: All of the mobile numbers on our website are available to purchase if they are offered and shown with a price and purchase button. As soon as a mobile number has been sold it is removed automatically from our website to ensure we do not sell the same number twice.
QUESTIONS AFTER PURCHASING
Q: Once I have purchased and paid for my new personalised mobile number, what happens next?
A: Our service begins as soon as your payment has been authorised by your card issuer or your bank transfer received into our bank account. We will make the necessary checks to ensure the payment submitted is genuine and when we are satisfied this is the case, we will arrange the immediate despatch of your porting authority code to you. Once you have received your PAC from us it is your responsibility to give this code, together with your new personalised mobile number, to your network service provider before the PAC expiry date.
Q: How do I take delivery of my new personalised mobile number?
A: All mobile numbers are transferred using a Porting Authority Code (PAC). A PAC allows you to move a specific mobile number from one mobile service provider to another and each code is valid for 30 days from the date of issue by the donor network. We will send you the PAC for the mobile number you have purchased, for you to then pass to your service provider so they may transfer your new mobile number to you.
Q: What is a Porting Authority Code?
A: A Porting Authority Code (or PAC as it is commonly referred to) is the security code required to allow a mobile telephone number to move from one network service provider to another. We normally provide clients with their new personalised mobile number using a PAC, as this gives them the maximum flexibility in choosing which network service provider, billing method or tariff to use their new mobile number with.
Q: After I have bought my new personalised mobile number, what happens if my mobile phone is lost or stolen?
A: In the first instance, you should always contact your network service provider as soon as possible and inform them of what has happened. If your phone cannot be recovered you should ask your service provider to block the SIM card that was in the phone and transfer your personalised mobile number to a replacement SIM card. This should prevent you from losing your personalised mobile number, although you may have to pay for the cost of the replacement SIM card.
Q: Is it true that my new personalised mobile number could be stolen from my handset?
A: Yes. However provided you take some precautions you can greatly reduce the risk of this ever happening. We strongly urge all of our clients to ask their network service provider to place a password on their airtime account and to not divulge this password to anyone. Using your personalised mobile number regularly also helps. If your personalised mobile number is ever stolen from your handset you should always be able to recover it, so long as you can prove you are the rightful owner. This is another good reason to buy from us - as we keep detailed records of all the mobile numbers we sell. This may prove invaluable in confirming you as the rightful owner of your number if it is ever stolen.
Q: Once I have started using my personalised mobile number, can I change to another network service provider or change my billing tariff?
A: Yes. Owning a personalised mobile number as with any mobile number, you are still able to change network, change tariff or contract, upgrade to a new handset or change from Pay As You Go to Pay Monthly or vice versa. Just remember to inform the network or store involved that you wish to retain your mobile number. Once purchased, you will be able to enjoy your new number for many years to come.
Q: What happens if I change my mind after making my purchase online?
A: We make it very clear to our clients that our service begins immediately upon payment being made. Given the type of product we retail there is no cooling off period or refunds allowed and all mobile numbers once purchased cannot be cancelled, exchanged or refunded under any circumstances. In addition, we do not exchange mobile numbers that have been purchased from us previously for other mobile numbers we have in stock. For these reasons, we respectfully ask that all clients are happy with their choice of mobile number before purchasing.
Q: Once I have purchased my new personalised mobile number, how long can I use it for?
A: You can use your new personalised mobile number indefinitely provided that you keep the number active. If you are using the number with a pre-pay SIM card you should send and receive calls on a regular basis (at least once a month) to keep the number active on the SIM card. Inactive pay-as-you-go SIM cards can be disconnected automatically by the network without prior notice and you may lose any rights you have to use that particular number again - even if you have purchased the number. If you are using your new mobile number on a monthly contract you should make sure that your account is always settled on time every month, to prevent your mobile number being disconnected by the network. Important: Your network service provider is not legally obliged to reconnect your personalised mobile number back to you if it is disconnected from service - so please ensure you use your mobile number regularly and pay your account promptly to avoid this situation.
Q: I have a mobile number I’d like to sell, would Metallic Numbers be interested in buying it?
A: No. We do not buy mobile numbers from third parties for several reasons. For instance, we cannot be sure that the person offering to sell a number to us is the rightful legal owner of that number, or that the number offered to us is brand new and unused. Furthermore, as we always have thousands of personalised mobile numbers readily available we do not require any additional stock.
Q: I have a mobile number I’d like to sell, would Metallic Numbers value it for me?
A: No. Due to the resources required to process our clients purchases swiftly, we regret this is not a service we can provide.
We hope the above has answered any questions you may have had - or perhaps just provided you with some useful knowledge you were unaware of. If your query still remains unanswered, please do not hesitate to contact us using the e-mail form on our Contact Us page.
