can you be bought out of a mobile phone contract

slackerslifestyle

Hi helpful forum users,

Here's my situation.

I'm currently on Three and unfortunately I upgraded my contract in Feb. I would now like to upgrade to an iPhone 4 but I'm unable to do so due to the fact I still have 12 months on my contract. I explained I would be willing to increase my tariff from my current £18 to £30, resign a 24 month contract and pay the necessary charge for the phone.

Being a (soon to be former) loyal customer I would have thought Three would want to keep hold of me and get me to pay them more and for longer. However, this isn't the case. If I want to change my contract at this stage I would have to buy myself out it at a cost of approx. £200 - way to reward loyalty eh?!

My question therefore is, can other network providers buy you out contracts from competitors? Surely it would make good business sense to spend approx. £200 pounds to then make approx £940 off that customer - who may then continue to stick with them for longer.

If you can help then please let me know.

Cheers,

Matt

Jon_01

Phones 4u used to to this but you had to be in your last 3 months and on the lowest tariff, so I guess the answer no, no one does.Sorry.

Exhortation

So, you've only paid one third of the contract and probably expect to keep the phone, too. Phone companies don't need customers like you.

slackerslifestyle

I asked for helpful forum users Exhortation you are just simply rude! It's not big nor is it clever, just very unhelpful.

helsbels1982

phones 4 u do stil buy u out of your contract but only if there is about 3 months left, im not sure if they would do it with 12 months still left but worth asking. u never know! or they may b able to suggest what best to do in your situation

xbrenx

Exhortation probably said what everyone else is thinking. You knew when you signed up how long the contract was for. What's the sudden need to have an iphone, wait till the contract renews again and you'll probably get better deals anyway.

If you don't want other people's opinions, you could use the phone you DO have and phone some networks for yourself and ask them?

slackerslifestyle

Thanks Jon 01 & helsbels1982 - I'll go in and have a word with them, who knows might be in luck!

xbrenx, I'll think you'll find I didn't ask for anybodys opinion just asked for people's help - a subtle difference, if you can't help then don't waste your time or mine responding.

As you pointed out I will be phoning round other networks to see if they will be willing to do this and if I'm successful I will let other forum users know.

worjackie

If you find out anything about buyin out your contract pls will you let me know. I want out of mine vodafone is doing my head thanks

sporedude

If they did then people would be getting out of contracts left/right and centre if they didnt like the handset.

drbesty

You wont be successful, no network will buy out your contract, the profit margins are too tight, buy yourself out of the contact if you want an iPhone so much but don't be posting here next June bemoaning the fact you're stuck in a contract and want the new iPhone 5

MORPH3US

Why don't you just buy yourself out of your contract...

At the end of the day if you let another network / retailer buy you out then that cost is paid for you in the end anyway (usually with an expensive new phone deal) so it makes no difference...