o2 - Are they taking a months payment for no reason?

TheEffect

I've just signed up for an iPhone 3G £35 per month contract. The phone is out for delivery today.

I've just looked online and they have already billed me for 1 month, even though I haven't had the phone yer. Ordered on the 7th April - billed on the 9th April for £35 and payment being taken on the 23rd April.

Why am I paying them £35? It's like they're taking a month in hand, which I'm never going to see again.

Quentin

Today is the 9th, so they are billing you one month from today.

You always pay in advance.

TheEffect

Oh ok, so the cost is actually for the plan from 9th april till 9th may, however any charges I use extra in that month will be put on my next bill?

Sorry, I'm 18 and this is my first contract, so I just want to make sure I'm getting it right.

Money_Grabber13579

Yes. Line rental is always paid up front, for the incoming month while all charges are paid after the month has ended.

Therefore, if on your last bill, you walk away from O2, and have paid your last bill, you would be entitled to a refund for the next months line rental.

TheEffect

Ok. Thank you.

Quentin

Money_Grabber13579 wrote: »

Therefore, if on your last bill, you walk away from O2, and have paid your last bill, you would be entitled to a refund for the next months line rental.

Well........................you cannot just "walk away".

A contract just continues after its minimum period until you want to leave, then before you can walk, you must give notice to quit. The contract would then end after the notice expires, and any line rental paid in advance of the notice expiry date (any period - pro rata) would be credited on the final bill. Only if the bill resulted in a credit balance after all call useage costs and extras were taken into account would you get a refund of the credit balance.

TheEffect

Thanks all. iPhone 3G was just delivered. Activating it now. Oh fun.

Money_Grabber13579

You can walk away after you have paid your last bill! (As in the last bill of the contract) After 18 months (Or whenever the contract ends), you can move anytime you like.

Quentin

You can only leave the contract by giving notice and cancelling it - it doesn't just end at the end of the minimum period if you don't give notice to cancel at the appropriate time.

xxlaurissaxx

How did you manage to get it for £35? Did you have to pay something for it? To get it free 2 weeks ago I had to take the £45 plan?????

xx

Money_Grabber13579

xxlaurissaxx wrote: »

How did you manage to get it for £35? Dod you have to pay something for it? To get it free 2 weeks again I had to take the £45 plan?????

xx

I assume the OP is on a 24 month contract. It's free on that contract for £35 a month.