question about recharging TIM sim online
 

I have my TIM sim from last year and I've grown quite fond of it, really :-) .....I just wish I could recharge online. I'm registered to access my account online but in the directions it says in order to recharge online, I need a credit card that was issued in Italy. I think that's rather ridiculous but are they real strict about it? If I try to do it anyway with my American credit card will it just be denied? That really sucks :-( if it's true!!! Cuz it would be SO MUCH EASIER to recharge online instead of having to go to the tobacco shops all the time when in Italy.

Also, I know this is a prepaid forum, but are there postpaid options in Italy???? That is, if I were to go there longterm, I'd probably want a post-paid account (or not, I dunno!)

If you get a postpaid contract you'll have to pay a (stupid) €5.16 monthly tax even if you don't use your account.
Unfortunately a Tim prepaid card can't be recharged with a non-Italian credit card.
I have the same problem as you: the only Italian mobile operator that accepts my french credit card is Vodafone.

Another problem: without an OFFICIAL residence in Italy/SanMarino/Vaticano you can't activate any italian postpaid :( Then if you have that residence you need a credit card issued in Italy too... no payment by post for foreigner. Really really crap...

Did you try an American Express? sometimes this trick works ;)

I recharge my TIM card using ebay UK. They charge a bit extra but it keeps the sim card valid and you only need to do it once a year if you don't visit Italy.
When in Italy I also try to purchase the old style TIM Ricarica cards with the codes that you enter into your phone @ €10 but they are getting more difficult to purchase now.

I purchased earlier this year a recharge from Matteo at Samat.it (samat1@gmail.com). I purchased a 50euro recharge for 55euros. I considered the 'service charge' reasonable.
I sent him the money through Paypal, gave him my phone number and he recharged it from his end.

I would deal with him again anytime.

Frank

msjfb

I agree with you, I purchased my sim of this guy, he's very reliable. I also, like you, use him to top up my sim if I don't visit Italia within the 12 month expire time.

So then let me get this straight.....Vodafone WILL let you top up using a non-Italian credit card?

Not officially. Sometimes it works (expecially with AMEX)