how do i get out of my mobile phone contract when emigrating

KATET_2

Hi, i have 12 months left on my two year contract and i am possibly emigrating. How can i get out of this contract as it cost £45 per month. Thanks.

Jon_01

You can't. You've agreed to a legally binding contract. There are no 'get outs'. That's the point of a contract.

The network may give you a discount for paying it off in a one go and there' no vat on the part you've not used but that about the best you'll get.

karatedragon

If you going abroad can they chase you for the dough?

robt_2

You can't "get out" of it.

Jeez.

Go look up the word 'contact'.

gjchester

karatedragon wrote: »

If you going abroad can they chase you for the dough?

Probably could but most likely will sell the debt on I can't image the cost will be worth it, I'd guess they would sell it on for pence in the pound and would debt collectors chase you overseas maybe?
Of course if you leave any UK assets you may get them confiscated if a court case goes against you and whilst illegal I would not put it past some debt collectors to hassle others in your family left here to pay up.


Would you have problems is you came back in the next 6 or so years, almost certainly. Would that UK credit record blemish lead to problems in another country, Who knows..

karatedragon

I thought you could transfer contracts to other people? I am sure there is a forum somewhere dedicated to doing that I stumbled across.

Or I guess you can sell the handset and pay the contract off.

Jon_01

Not all networks will allow a transfer. Orange do, but as the op hasn't stated what network their on. . .

lrr_2

can you not downsize the contract?

karatedragon

I think there should be a big shake up in the regulation on the mobile phone system in the UK to outlaw hefty cancellation charges on handset subsidised arrangements. Also domestic or personal use contracts of any length longer than 12 months should be banned.

I think the only cancellation charge should be the residual value of the handset which is in effect why you are locked in. Presently you pay the residual value of the handset and also any *UNUSED* airtime. Why should you pay for future *UNUSED* airtime? No one shold pay for something they will not get any benefit from. A handset YES. You can benefit from that post cancellation and as such it should be paid for.

robt_2

karatedragon wrote: »

I think there should be a big shake up in the regulation on the mobile phone system in the UK to outlaw hefty cancellation charges on handset subsidised arrangements. Also domestic or personal use contracts of any length longer than 12 months should be banned.

Yes, because I would love to pay higher line rental and/or upfront for a phone for a shorter contract term.

I think the only cancellation charge should be the residual value of the handset which is in effect why you are locked in. Presently you pay the residual value of the handset and also any *UNUSED* airtime. Why should you pay for future *UNUSED* airtime? No one shold pay for something they will not get any benefit from. A handset YES. You can benefit from that post cancellation and as such it should be paid for.

If someone doesn't like how a contract works then they can get a PAYG phone surely.

What is your calculation for the 'residual value' of the handset?

gjchester

karatedragon wrote: »

I think there should be a big shake up in the regulation on the mobile phone system in the UK to outlaw hefty cancellation charges on handset subsidised arrangements.

You know when you work it out the termination fees are not that bad anyway given your usually talking £500 plus for most smartphones. Lets not forget no-one in the phone industry is doing this for the end users benefit, it is a business to make money. The residual value of the handset is not a bad idea but it therer are still admin charges to consider. Sim cards and postage are not free (although not a lot I admit) and need to be factored in.

If anything were to happen I would guess we would lost subsidies in total. Apple have shown they can sell a phone with a lower subsidy, Google have shown people will buy the phone without a subsidy, so my feeling is this will be how the market goes.