NEVER AGAIN - Contract Phones

cmjohnson_86

Before I realised that I had to sort my money problems out, I took out 2 Contract phones out and now REALLY want to cancel them, But CANT.

They are both with T-Mobile and are as follows:

750 Mins 200 texts which was doubled for first six months = £35 p/m (runs out Dec 06)
200 mins 100 texts - line rental half price for first 6 n last 6 months = £30 (runs out june 07 i Think)

This months bill for both phones was £97.33

Both are 18 month contracts, and REALLY cant afford to keep them anymore. I dont think there is anything that I can do either. Have asked how much it would cost to pay them off and the first one he said was around £170 and the other was £400 or so..

I will NEVER be taking a contract phone out again!!!!!

Anyone had any such problems what did you do..

Thanks if anyone has ANY advice?

mike_wall15

I'd recommend selling your handsets on ebay, and putting the proceeds in a bank to pay of the bills. Make sure you don't go over the minutes.
At the very earliest opportunity you should reduce the tariffs if possible.

Mike

fonefather

Have you phone t-mobile to ask to downgrade at least one of the packages? It appears that there is no need to have two contracts if you're struggling on both of them.

Reduce the tariffs where possible. Another question.... your handsets? Do you need both of them? You can sell one off at least and integrate both sims into one phone... but obviously it depends on what phones you have.

I know how you feel mate but it's the case that if you don't ask t-mobile on how to resolve this then there's nothing much that can be done. Just please don't say you've sold off both phones as theoretically you can eliminate one of the contracts with ease.

I wish you well. Let us know what phones are at your disposal and we can all figure something out.

Regards,
FF.

cmjohnson_86

Well one of the handsets got water damage and I cancelled my insurance, as I had a contract phone for 2 years and never claimed.. (Got this idea from Martin's book lol) So cancelled the insurance, I have sold the damaged one on ebay and currently have the Sony Ericsson W800i

What exactly can I say to T-Mobile Customer services, Im not very good with words and explaining the situation. THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE HELP SO FAR, Your all Great !!

Steve_xx

Have a look here at TMobiles tariff options. There is one, Relax 750, that is as low as £12 for the month if you are on a 24 month contract.

http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/Dispatcher?menuid=help_ob_p

pricefighter

Why not ask T- Mob CS the earliest dates you can downgrade your two contracts, and what is the cheapest tariff you can put them on.

jf2404

Definatley reduce the line rental to the lowest possible firstly.

Sell the W800i, you should get atleast £130 for it and pay off the cheaper shortfall.

Get a cheap payg or even get a 12month free contract where you pay nothing aslong as you stick within your minutes, or get a friend/relative to get it in their name if you can't.

I know with Vodafone there were departments you could be transfered to that will try and help regarding payments. I'm not sure if it's possible with paying off shortfall's but they did allow say a £900 bill to be paid in installments instead of one lump sum, they did block out-going calls, but it worked and once the bill was fully paid you get reconnected. Like i say , i'm not sure if that is possible in this situation or not.

Failing the above just tell them you can't afford to pay it, same with credit cards, if you tell them you basically can't afford the monthly bills they can come to an agreement to let you pay off in installments, i know friends who have told Barclay card this and they have frozen intrest and spending on the card, but let them pay off less than the minimum each month until they got themselves back together.

I wish you all the best mate, you don't get if you don't ask.

Just tell them straight, you want out, you simply can't afford the bills and something needs to be done, they would rarther get lower payments on bills than you fliting the country and then they get nothing so they should help in some way.

cmjohnson_86

Ok thanks for all the advice, will give them a ring now and let you know how I get on..

Woby_Tide

downgrade period is 11 months with T-mobile so going by the dates given that makes one contractr downgradeable from May 06 and the other Next November(going by the date June 07 suggests that you only just took out the 2nd contract which seems a bit bizzare in your circumstances)

Firstly given the 2 contracts have 950 minutes 300 texts and only cost £65 per month in line rental yet your bill is £98 suggests you aren't using them wisely given your position. I'd also suggest not taking out another contract regardless of PAYG or 12 month free. Get a cheap PAYG handset and continue using your contract minutes and texts(WITHIN THE ALLOWANCES) whilst you are still having to pay T-Mobile, that way you are at least only owing £65 for the time being.

cmjohnson_86

Yeah thats correct, Cant change the line rentals until May 06 on the older contract so will just have to watch how I spend on it from now on. Might just sell my W800i and put that towards the bills, Although I do like the phone alot. Will hav to see if I come across any good cheap ones..

if anyone know's where I can get a newish cheap phone please let me know. Thanks for all the advice guys..

Now know not to take contracts out again without seriously thinking about it. Carl