contract in my name for someone who wont pay

justantony

I don't know if this is the right place to post my query, as this is my first time on the site, so i apologise.

Anyway my problem is, about 2 months ago i went to phones4u with my friend so that he could take out a phone contract, however when it came to it, they couldnt complete, something to do with his electron card. So they asked me if i would put it in my name, then we could come back in 2 month's and switch the ownership over, so i reluctantly agreed after being put on the spot. The contract was mine to sign and there were a mixture of my details and his on the actual contract.

2months later, and we are no longer on speakling terms and he is attempting to screw me over. He says he doesnt want the phone contract, and hes giving it back. But now he is refusing to speak to me, or had the contract over, or pay for it.

Does anyone have any advice for me.

sporedude

As its in your name, It is your responsibility to pay for it, I know its harsh but thats the way the provider see it

DarkConvict

You signed for it, you owe it. That is it end of story.

There is no advice we can give you but the advice of never sign for anything your name you do not want to be held liable for. i.e. If it was a £45 24 month IPhone contract you are agreeing to pay £1080 over 2 years.
The harsh truth is that you screwed yourself over in accepting liablity for a service you didnt intend to use, and there is nothing at all you can do about it.
Talk to the mobile operator but they will probably want £100's in early termination fees.
Talk to CPW and they will say well if he is not here we can't transfer it.

Your only time to back out is 7 days if brought online, legally stores do not have to accept returns from the moment you sign the paper.

Your only option is going to be to sell the contract to someone else if you don't want it.

DrScotsman

Sue your "friend".

iwanttosave_2

Phone the network and claim it's lost and get the sim and IMEI barred for starters so they can't use it anymore.

You can then get a new sim issued and use it yourself.

macman

You couldn't have changed the name on the contract even if he had agreed to do so. All you could have done was changed the direct debit to his bank, but responsibility for payment remains yours for the duration if you signed the contract in your name
What do you mean when you say the paperwork contains details of both of you?

justantony

I had a feeling about all of that to be honest, and it has my name on the contract, but his bank details and address. Its like a mix and match, the man told us to come back in 2 months to switch it over into my friends name. He now refuses.

macman

If you signed the contract, then you are liable. Once he cancels his DD it is you they will come after for payment, and your credit record that will be trashed if you don't pay. Some friend...

terryw

macman wrote: »

You couldn't have changed the name on the contract even if he had agreed to do so. All you could have done was changed the direct debit to his bank, but responsibility for payment remains yours for the duration if you signed the contract in your name
What do you mean when you say the paperwork contains details of both of you?

Although the company are under no obligation to do so, I have known of cases where the company have been quite happy to change the name on the contract providing both of the "names" agree to this. However, at this point this information is of little use to the OP.

justantony

I know some friend indeed, at this point he refuses to give back the phone and sim, have in switched it to his name and actully make contact with me. I dont want to get the phone blocked. As if he doesnt sign it into his name, i hope that i could find someone who is intrested in taking over the contract.

macman

You are playing with fire by not blocking it. If he cancels his DD and then sells it on, the SIM can then be used to run up huge bills with overseas calls at your expense. You will have no defense to this, as the phone is in your name but knowingly not in your possession but you did not report it. Tell him that unless he does as you ask it will be blocked in the next 24 hours. The phone is legally your property and if he will not return it then report it as stolen by him.