End of a contract?

mad_panda

Last year i got a contract phone (Galaxy S) with vodafone and I still have around 11 months left to go. I am currently paying around £30 a month plus £10 for insurance for it and based on how much I have used it over the last 12, I don't think that it is a good deal for me. Although I do use it alot for web browsing which is great.

So when my contract comes to an end next year I am not planning to renew and either haggle to switch to a cheap £10 tarrif or go back to PAYG.... so I have a couple of questions.

When that time comes, do I have to tell them I am not renewing and will they actually stop it or does it carry on? (worried based on horror stories of people continuing to pay after they cancelled)

Is it any better to cancel in a store or over the phone?

Also do I return the phone to them or is it actually mine once it is finished?

What happens with my current phone number if I do not renew. Is it "switched off"?


I know that there are fees for cancelling early but I am happy to continue on until the end of it.

Thanks

I_luv_cats

You need to read your contract.

Many companies require 28 days notice by the methods mentioned in your contract.

Regarding "Roll on" @ the end of your minimum term, that will be a question for Vodaphone.

I am with o2 and have a special deal so I need to act sharpish, otherwise the full price will be charged on a @month by month basis' after the minimum term.

The phone should be yours to keep

grumbler

mad_panda wrote: »

When that time comes, do I have to tell them I am not renewing and will they actually stop it or does it carry on? (worried based on horror stories of people continuing to pay after they cancelled)

Is it any better to cancel in a store or over the phone?

See this today's thread for the quotations from the T&C: vodafone contract advice
If you don't give a notice it will continue on 1 month rolling basis.

Also do I return the phone to them or is it actually mine once it is finished?

It's already yours.

What happens with my current phone number if I do not renew. Is it "switched off"?

You lose it unless you port it to another network: How do I move my number to another network? - Help - Vodafone

gjchester

mad_panda wrote: »

So when my contract comes to an end next year I am not planning to renew and either haggle to switch to a cheap £10 tarrif or go back to PAYG.... so I have a couple of questions.

When that time comes, do I have to tell them I am not renewing and will they actually stop it or does it carry on? (worried based on horror stories of people continuing to pay after they cancelled)

Your contract does not "end" you simply pass the minimmum term you have to keep it to cancel without penalty.

If yo do nothing it will roll on a 30 day notice contract at the same cost for the same deal (minutes/texts/data).

The "horror stories" are usually people who make the same mistake that the contract finishes after the set term and ignore it thinking it's finished when it's really jsut been accruing charges.

mad_panda wrote: »

Is it any better to cancel in a store or over the phone?

You may be able to cancell it over the phone but usually Vodafone insist on it in writing but you can transfer the number, see the last question.

It's highly unlikley they will do it in store.

mad_panda wrote: »

Also do I return the phone to them or is it actually mine once it is finished?

It's yours the moment the contract came into force. It may be locked and you may need to ask Vodafone to unlock it at the end of the contract to use it with another network.

mad_panda wrote: »

What happens with my current phone number if I do not renew. Is it "switched off"?

If you simply cancel the contract it goes into "quarantine" for 6 months then will be re-used as they need it/someone picks it.

If you ask for a PAC code you can transfer your number it to another network, either contract or PAYG. Asking for a PAC code DOES NOT cancel the contract, but USING it does, thats normally the one exception to Vodafone asking for the cancellation in writing. You cna request a PAC code over the phone.

You cannot use a PAC code on the same network it has to be across networks, and if you request a PAC code, and then don;t use it in the 30 day it's valid then the contract reverts to the standard 30 day notice contract. You will most likely be charged 30 days notice in lieu of giving notice, you cannot give notice to cancel AND have a pack code active, the line needs to be in good standing (not on notice to cancel) for a PAC code to work.

mad_panda

Thanks for the helpful info. Something to bear in mind when the time comes. I take it this isn't made obvious that it would "roll on" or have I just been blind or not read all the fine print with my magnifying glass?

If instead I wanted to use the phone I have at the end of the contract and stay with vodafone, would there be any issues if I wanted to drop to say £10 a month? Would that have to be done via retentions or done in writting?

gjchester

mad_panda wrote: »

Thanks for the helpful info. Something to bear in mind when the time comes. I take it this isn't made obvious that it would "roll on" or have I just been blind or not read all the fine print with my magnifying glass?

It's not hidden but most people don;t read contracts in the rush to get the latest shiney toy

mad_panda wrote: »

If instead I wanted to use the phone I have at the end of the contract and stay with vodafone, would there be any issues if I wanted to drop to say £10 a month? Would that have to be done via retentions or done in writting?

Depends what deals are on at the time, hard to say 12 months in advance, usually requesting a PAC triggers retentions to call you, they cna offer the better deals than normal consumer care.