Cancelling Contracts?

Cantdance_2

Hey Everyone,

So glad I stumbled across this forum... I might do a proper intro post later once I'm feeling a bit braver, but I just have one question first!

Does anyone know if there are any circumstances under which you can cancel contracts for, e.g. Mobile Phone, Sky, Broadband before you're past the 12 month period?

Had a lightbulb moment a couple of days ago and arranged a chat with PayPlan tonight, but we're trying to look at cutting back on expenses and at the moment it's the three things I've mentioned above that would really benefit us if we cancelled them.

Sad thing is we've actually been with Orange and Sky for well over 3 years but we stupidly tied ourselves in again for 12 months with Orange back in November by getting a free handset upgrade, and we tied ourselves up again with Sky in August by getting a second Sky box for the bedroom. Broadband is also running until July.

Spending upwards of £70 a month on mobiles (for 2), £21.00 for Sky and £24.99 for broadband...

Any tips?

Cheers!

James

loubie_lou

Firstly welcome and being brave enough to post on here! Also well done for having your lightbulb moment! Many people feel relieved when they have their first post. Just hang on tight and some more peeps will be along soon to offer some great advice!

Justicia

Cantdance wrote:

Does anyone know if there are any circumstances under which you can cancel contracts for, e.g. Mobile Phone, Sky, Broadband before you're past the 12 month period?

Hey James,

The only way that I can see is if they have failed in their service to you in some way and breached their side of the contract... Otherwise I think that the only option is to buy yourself out of it.

You may find others with other options or suggestions, however.



Also, Welcome to MSE :j

mountainofdebt

why not ask them if you can reduce your basic package further without any penalties

crystal_clear

Hi there

I dont know if this will work but regarding sky.
I had a 2nd box fitted last year for son (he pays additional fee). When I had this fitted I was very concerned that he may do the sky box office movies and the new box had a pin code i didnt know so i unplugged his phone line from the main box.
Result being I got several letters from sky telling me that they could not get a call back on my sky box, Not fully understanding at the time what they were on about. I ignored the first 2-3 letters then they threatened to cancel my contract, Hmmmmm I thought strange so rang them to ask what was going on. They explained then the penny dropped. I had unplugged his phone line and they could not obtain a call back on the box.
I however plugged back in his phone line and reset the pin to block him using sky box office...
If I had not plugged it back in they were going to cancel the contracts.
I am not sure whether that meant I would have been liable for the remainder of the contract charges though, as it never happened. I just recall them saying they were going to terminate it.

Really dont know if this is of any use to you as a get out clause but take further advice first.

Regards
Crystal

southernscouser

I'm almost certain by doing the above you will be liable for the outstanding time of your contract because you have broken the terms of your contract!

My advice would be to try and downgrade your current packages!

Hitme

If believe that if you unplug your SKY box from the phone during the first year you become liable for about £200 - £300 of subsidy they apply during the first year. I think the cheapest SKY package is current £15 per month, could you downgrade to that ?. Always worth ringing them and saying you want/need to cancel and try explaining the situation, they might let you have SKY for 1/2 price for a few months ( bit of a long shot while still in contract though but worth a try).

farquarpigmix

James I would explain to the firms you mentioned your circumstances and ask if they can help in anyway. I.E. lower your monthly payments until the 12 months is up.

If they have any comon sense they will free you from your contract. (I.E. your struggling to pay bills ) so they may end up not getting paid because your creditor's won't be to happy about you paying them.

Hope this helps.

Farquarpigmix

ps, he who dares wins.