Can No Longer Afford Contract - What To Do?

TeenyBash

Hi everyone,

Hoping someone may have some answers regarding my mobile contract. I'm currently on a 24 month contract with Orange, that I can't cancel until September 2012. Unfortunately I was made redundant from my job in July, and since then have had an operation and other health issues, so I won't be in a position to work for at least a couple more months...

Problem is, I can no longer afford my contract. I've lowered it to Dolphin20 (£20 a month), but this is still too much in my current situation. I've lower every single outgoing I can to the bare minimum. I just don't know what to do.

Does anyone know whether Orange would be likely to lower my contract to an even lower tariff? (£15 or £10). It's such a pain when I know GiffGaff, for example give unlimited texts, net and 250mins for £10 a month goodybag.

I wish I had a crystal ball, if I had, I wouldn't of taken out the contract, that's for sure!

Thank you in advance.

McKneff

You could always ask, although it's doubtful.

Could you sell the phone and pay off the rest of the contract. and buy a cheapo PAYG phone.

Apart from selling stuff youre a bit stuck I'm afraid.

gjchester

TeenyBash wrote: »

Does anyone know whether Orange would be likely to lower my contract to an even lower tariff? (£15 or £10).

Call Orange now.

Let them know you have problems and try and work it out before arrears build up. Leaving it is the worse case.

Until you can resolve this with Orange the GiffGaff option is irrlevent, they may be cheaper but if you cannot change the payment to orange thats no help.


Good Luck..

TeenyBash

Thank you for your replies.

I'm a bit baffled. I took out the contract on 29th May 2010, on a 24 month contract, but Orange are saying I can't cancel until 23rd August 2012!? Am I being completely dumb, that's LONGER than 24 months? What gives there?

robbies_gal

are you sure it was may-go online and check out all your previous bills then ask them to send you proof of when it started

spiro

TeenyBash wrote: »

Thank you for your replies.

I'm a bit baffled. I took out the contract on 29th May 2010, on a 24 month contract, but Orange are saying I can't cancel until 23rd August 2012!? Am I being completely dumb, that's LONGER than 24 months? What gives there?

When you took the contract out with Oragne was it a brand new contract or were you already an Orange customer? That may explain the difference.

TeenyBash

spiro wrote: »

When you took the contract out with Oragne was it a brand new contract or were you already an Orange customer? That may explain the difference.

You're right. I just called them. I had an existing contract that had 3 months until it ended, when I renewed. Thus I have 3 months added on to the 24 months. D'oh. I got a bit snowballed there.

They've allowed me to drop down a tariff to £15.50 a month (Unlimited texts, 100mins, 100mb net), still better than nothing I suppose :-/ More than I would have liked.

Rusty!

As mentioned, sell the phone you got with the contract and replace it with something cheaper.

TeenyBash

Rusty! wrote: »

As mentioned, sell the phone you got with the contract and replace it with something cheaper.

I don't think the resale value of my phone would cover the cost of buying out of the contract, unfortunately.

grumbler

Even if it covers just 30% this is the same as further £5 reduction to your monthly bill. A new unlocked basic replacement phone costs close to £0.

Guys_Dad

I think Orange have been very fair and reasonable in lowering the contract twice.

I am sure that when you took out the 2 year contract you had every intention of completing it and, possibly, staying with them. The unfortunate thing is that, whereas a week is a long time in politics, 2 years is a long time to commit yourself to a payment contract if the heavens fall in, as happened to you.

If you really can't stretch your current income over all your commitments, then you will have to prioritise, but remember that any defaults will be recorded on your credit record, even in circumstances that a re genuinely caused by the current economic conditions.

Personally, I think anyone taking out a 24 month contract of any significant value needs to check first of all whether or not they could afford it if their job was lost and they had to rely on benefit income.

So, getting back to this thread, I reiterate that Orange seem to have been accommodating and I would be very surprised if they would go further. But good luck. :beer: