Cannot afford to pay mobile phone contract

bdavis_2

Hi

I could do with some advice regarding my mobile phone contract which i took out in August 08 for 18months. This is my first contract phone and unfortunately, I lost my job and I am finding it a challenge to get a new job, therefore I cannot afford to pay the phone bills. About a month ago, O2 cut me off, but for the foreseeable future I cannot see me being able to pay the bills. My overdraft has also reached its limit. I just wondered if anyone has had this problem, and managed to come to an agreement with the phone company and can give me advice on how to tackle O2. I really would like to go back to a pay as you go sim. Any ideas on how much it is likely to cost me to get out of my contract or is there a way i can freeze the phone until i can start paying?

I hope someone can help!

scw1

Might be worth posting on debtfree wannabe thread as they may have more idea. Have you spoken to them and explained your circumstances?

Gareth83

Not sure if the old "I'm moving overseas" cuts the mustard?

I'm sure MJ or Quentin could help....

bdavis_2

ok thank you. I will try posting on there as well.
No i havent tried O2 yet, as I wanted to know where I stand first and see what the best way to deal with it is.

Buzby

Networks are fairly inflexible to those who wish to break their contract. Since the service is already cut off, a replacement PAYG SIM from the same network will get your phone back up online. As to the rest, they will attempt to make you pay the final balance due, and in view of the term left to run, this will be in the £600 mark.

Almost always, they have no interest in reaching a deal - the debt will be farmed out to a DCA and they will take the payments from you. The downside is that even though you've not been taken to court, the default will already be on your credit file, and sit there for 6 years.

IF you can get a friend of family member to take on the contract, you can transfer it to them - but that is the only way out, and ceased to be an option after cancellation.

bdavis_2

wow thats quite scary.
I'll have to see if anyone wants to take it on then.
Thanks for the advice

Woby_Tide

seeing as the contract is new it's likely you have a fairly newish phone aswell. Ebay/sell that to recoup some money to cover part of the bills whilst it has some value

bdavis_2

thanks for your advice