Topping up TIM SIM card – exercise in frustration
 

For several years I have had a SIM card from TIM with an Italian phone number. The number expires in spring 2014, so I need to top up in order to keep the number for another year. I'll need to use it in fall 2014.
The TIM website advertises recharges, but after I enter my credit card number, the site consistently bombs out, telling me the transaction cannot be completed and to try again later.
I've tried using my U.S. and French Visa cards, and PayPal, but nothing works.
Any idea why I can't buy new minutes on TIM.it? Or, alternatively, ideas on how to buy more TIM minutes another way, short of going to Italy?

It requires an Italian credit card?

I assume you've topped it several times in the past since they typically expire in about 6 months. Perhaps it's a browser issue. Try a different browser and check you are allowing cookies.

It may very well be a browser issue. I wanted to open an account in order to purchase minutes in the future. My current browser would not allow access. I tried in Google Chrome and was able to access my account. I have not tried to input my credit card info to actually purchase minutes though.

Good luck!

Thanks for the advice about the browser – I will try another.

I have topped up in the past but only in Italy, not from abroad/the website. As far as I know topping up once a year preserves your telephone number.

To be continued!