Can I get out of my mobile phone contract?

[Alyson]

I've been with Vodafone more years than I can count and 6 months ago signed a new 18 month contract - I have now changed jobs and will get a phone with the job (the service provider my company uses is also Vodafone) - I have called Vodafone and asked them what my options are and they advise the only way to finish the contract is to pay the remaining "line rental" totalling around £250, since I don't have that sort of money I was wondering if there is a legitimate way to cancel the contract or if I should just stop paying and let them pursue me (they'd have to take a number and get in line, my credit rating is shot so I'm not worried about that) any suggestions??

[squarebear]

If you've agreed to an 18 month contract, you must see it through. Vodafone may let you buy out of it but you would need to contact them to see.

[Dris]

I think you'll just have to keep paying it or if you have a trusted friend who wouldnt mind taking over the remaining contract that may be an idea as contracts are much cheaper the pay as you go.

[ChuckFickens]

You can't get out of it without paying the charge (that's what a contract is all about!)

If you are going to cancel it call them and reduce the tariff to the cheapest you can beforehand to minimise the amount you'll have to pay.

[ummmm]

She has and they want £250.

If you don't pay they will pass it on to debt collectors....

[redcrx]

"I should just stop paying and let them pursue me (they'd have to take a number and get in line, my credit rating is shot so I'm not worried about that)"

ah well then, if you think like that why not just stop paying!!!

you took out the contract, you are obligated to continue that contract. have you asked if you can change the tarriff to a lower one? some companies allow that. Ok so youd still have to pay something

[joko]

what about asking your new company if you can just keep your old phone and they transfer pay for it...as they would be paying for the other one anyway?

just explain the situation to them and they may bea ble to adjust

[Nosha123]

does having a crappy credit rating not worry you??

I'm amazed some people dont care about their credit ratings... life will be a very expensive lesson for you if you ever needs credit of any description!

[Dris]

Good thinking joko !!
Worth a try anyway.

[Alyson]

OK, thanks everyone. I do understand what a contract is, I'm poor, I'm not an idiot. I was asking if there is a legitimate way to cancel the contract. If there isn't, there isn't.

[Nosha123]

if you re-read JOKO's post it actually a good idea.. and might be worth trying!!

[Alyson]

Thanks Joko that's an excellent idea - I will try it

[Alyson]

Nosha123: frankly - No it doesn't worry me anymore, if my husband hadn't run off leaving me with the debt of a small country, forcing me to lose my home and work seven days a week to keep my head above water - I might be more concerned, as it is, I'm happy for you that your circumstances allow you to sit in judgement of others, - mine do not. If you read my question I was trying to legitimately get out of a contract before going down the route of adding them to my creditors.

[ummmm]

That's put it into perspective... x

[Twenty20]

It depends on what your perspective is, I suppose.

To be honest, your original question sounded quite flippant, that you 'should just stop paying and let them pursue me' and that you're not worried about your credit rating by doing that. It's probably those statements which make some people 'judgemental'.

Yes, you could just stop paying but not many people would recommend that. If the £250 is a reduced offer then I'd consider it, or take joko's advice.

[Dris]

Cheeky mare -f fs you try to help someone and you get guff.
Whats the bleeding point -all she wanted to hear was that she could cancel her contract -sorry doll welcome to the real world !!

[Alyson]

How judgemental and rude some of you are. I asked if anyone knew of a legitimate way to get out of a mobile phone contract, your practical advice and ideas were sought, not your pronouncements

[redcrx]

alyson, you were the one who suggested stopping payments.
if all you wanted was to a about ways you may cancel the contract then why mention it?

[dzug2]

Well your company may well object to you using their phone for personal use - so you may need two phones anyway. Just carry on with the contract each month

[DrFilth]

Alyson some of the lads when they get the latest phone on a new contract sell the new phone and use the sim in an old phone .this way they get some money to pay the contract .
like someone has said your new works phone may not allow personal calls so you can still make calls on your old mobile if you keep the contract going

[ronnie_07]

You could ask to reduce your tariff to the lowest possible ( they may restrict just how low in price that is) and then you could cancel paying the ETP ( early termination penalty). When your in a contract the onlly way is to buy yourself out of it. I worked in Telcomms for 10 year. Good luck