Mid-Contract Problem!

Shubox

Hi all, im new to this thread so please let me know if im doing anything wrong!

Here's the story: Im currently on Orange Blackberry 40 Panther which ive been on since 27th of May 2010, as you can see its one of the higher tariffs and its a 24 month contract, i got rid of the blackberry near the end of 2010 due to other debts and losing my job, this is where my problem begins, my new job means i dont use my phone as much im only using half the amount of minutes and texts i was and the other thing is im using a phone from 1999 or something i believe its the 3310 nokia! so i cant use internet and other things i get for free! Orange wont downgrade my tariff which is quite unfair as i pay 40 quid for nothing and i have no phone to show for my high monthly charge either, i dont want to have to get a new contract and slap anotha 20 a month just to get a new phone and at the same time i dont want to pay 40 for basically nothing, whats the best course of action guys?

Thanks Dale

Techhead_2

I don't agree that it's unfair. Unfortunate things have happened, but none of them were done by Orange, so your commitment stands.

You could appeal to Orange for a goodwill gesture. Alternatively you could save up for a second hand handset.

I don't think taking another contract is good moneysaving behaviour.

baldyj

Sorry, but you signed up to this contract so as far as i can see you're just going to have to honour it! In the same way Orange are honouring it by providing you with the mins/txts/data they agreed to give you in exchange for your 40 quid.

Unfortunately you can't just get out of contractual agreements when things change and therefore do not suit you any longer.

Shubox

I see both your points, and im not by any means trying to get out of my contracts, but at the same time all of the phone companys are happy to help you add on more minutes and more texts mid-term, so why for someone like me who actually doesnt need as much can i not take away minutes and texts?

baldyj

"Get out" was the wrong wording, sorry, i should have said "alter"

It's the way of the world i'm afraid! They are always happy to give you more if they will make more money out of it.

Guys_Dad

Part of your agreement was to get a handset free. That is recovered from your contract monthly rental. You have absolutely no get out on this from the information you have provided and other posts on here confirm that your credit record will be adversely affected if you cease payment. You can easily get a replacement cheap handset to enable you to use the minutes and texts. Pay more for the handset, and you can get the internet as well.

You say it's unfair. Suppose you parked your car and bought 4 hours worth of parking on a meter. You then found that where you were going to was closed and you therefore didn't need 4 hours parking - 1 hour would have done. Do you think you would be entitled to ask for a refund on your parking charge? Do you think you would get it?

Same scenario, I am afraid. Go sim-free next time.

Lynsey

Guys_Dad wrote: »

Go sim-free next time.

Or go totally free.

Even better, get them to pay you.

Lynsey

spiro

Nearly all if not all companies appear to have dropped the option to downgrade your tariff. I suspect this may (in my opinion) be due to people taking out high priced contracts to get the latest phones only to downgrade as soon as they can.

chanz4

buy a sim free one on ebay, the 8520 goes for about 50-80