Payments at end of mobile phone contract.

[tomyoung90]

I have been with Orange for a few years. My latest contract expired last October but I just let it run. Previously when a contract has expired my monthly payments have gone down dramatically to account for the fact that I have paid for the handset, however, this time they have actually gone up.

I plan to talk to Orange today and tell them that I will leave them unless the excess is refunded. Does anybody know if there is anything I can rely on legally about this - I'm not up on my consumer law!

Thanks,

Tom

[ummmm]

So you've been using the phone on the new tariff for nearly a year?

[Canary42]

It all depends on what the original contract said - there may be a clause there allowing Orange to up the payments on expiry if you allow default renewal.

[tomyoung90]

Yeah that's correct. I was abit naiive in not checking, as I expected the cost just to go down as has happened twice before. There's no new tariff or default renewal though - the contract just continues on a rolling month by month contract until I either take a new phone with Orange or cancel with them. However usually at this point you only pay for the texts, minutes etc you use and the payments go down to account for the fact the handset has been paid for.

[ummmm]

I bet there's a clause in the contract to say they can change it after your contracted period.

[tomyoung90]

Yeah you're probably right. These companies usually have it all wrapped up. Do you have any idea where I could get a copy of my contract as theres not one on my online account?

[factor-fiction]

You will have received paperwork when you first signed up, I'm sure.
I've always regarded it as up to me to negotiate a discount at the end of my contract.

To get a copy of your contract ask at an orange store or ring the Orange number (free of charge I think from your handset)?

I suggest you ring and say you are looking to leave and tell them what you want- either a new handset or a big tarrif reduction.