Getting out of a contract or even downgrading

Legacy_user

Hi,


I am 14 months into a 2 year contract with Virgin Media.

I decided to look at my usage and was shocked at how little I use. I then decided to try and downgrade.

Looking at it, I use less than 20 mins a month. I get over 1000 minutes a month. I also get 3000 texts, and I use less than 40 a month. Even now that has really fallen because I started using Whatsapp and I only text a few specific people.

It gets worse, In the last 6 months, I have 3 months where there was completely zero usage, as in none. This was due to working abroad and use the company provided mobile. I will be away for another 3 months in a month or two.

I rang up to try and downgrade, but they wouldn't allow me to change what I have.

I realise a contract is a contract. However I use less than 1/10th of what I pay for and for 1/4 of the contract I will have used zero.

If I want to end my contract, ie buy it out they want over £300.

Any suggestions appreciated. I feel they are being a tad unfair.

chanz4

Not unfair, as you say it was a contract would it be unfair to them?

dil1976

oooh look theres a shiny new phone I want that, yes Mr saleman just let me sign the contract so I can play with it.

I dont need all these minutes and texts let me not pay for the phone anymore as I am not so fussed about the phone now and realise that I don't use anywhere near my useage.

Does that sound familiar to you?

NFH

Why did you enter into a 2-year contract? Why did you not get a 1-month rolling contract instead? This would have given you much more flexibility.

easy

13000 wrote: »

Hi,


I am 14 months into a 2 year contract with Virgin Media.

I decided to look at my usage and was shocked at how little I use. I then decided to try and downgrade.

Looking at it, I use less than 20 mins a month. I get over 1000 minutes a month. I also get 3000 texts, and I use less than 40 a month. Even now that has really fallen because I started using Whatsapp and I only text a few specific people.

It gets worse, In the last 6 months, I have 3 months where there was completely zero usage, as in none. This was due to working abroad and use the company provided mobile. I will be away for another 3 months in a month or two.

I rang up to try and downgrade, but they wouldn't allow me to change what I have.

I realise a contract is a contract. However I use less than 1/10th of what I pay for and for 1/4 of the contract I will have used zero.

If I want to end my contract, ie buy it out they want over £300.

Any suggestions appreciated. I feel they are being a tad unfair.

Sorry, I don't think there is much you can do really. It isn't VM's fault that you don't use the minutes you are paying for.

As you say, a contract is a contract, you can't really blame VM for wanting you to either complete it or buy out. They are not being unfair, they are expecting you to stick to your liability, that's all.

In your shoes, I would ask around family and friends, and see if any of them wanted to take on the contract. Maybe offer it to them at a discount - so you pay the remaining months, but whoever takes it on pays you 80% of that price ?? That way you are not soo out of pocket.

timberflake

It makes me laugh just how many people on this forum post about trying to get out of contracts.

In this case, do you really think you have a valid reason to exit your contract without penalty because you don't use the allowance you're given!!?

drew__2

Well to be honest its not unfair. You entered a contract yourself at your will. So, you have to pay this amount to buy it out. Best option is to continue with it. Good luck!

System

timberflake wrote: »

It makes me laugh just how many people on this forum post about trying to get out of contracts.

In this case, do you really think you have a valid reason to exit your contract without penalty because you don't use the allowance you're given!!?

Well I think that is a bit rich.

Before you entered your IVA you borrowed money, with a contract and agreement to pay it back. You didn't.

You agreed to pay them a certain amount for a certain amount of time. You didn't.

You then offered them even less than the agreed amount in a full and final.

The only difference is that I am talking about a different type of contract, everything else is still equally as valid. You still got out of your contract. How is that different? The companies in question still lost out.

Any yes, I have an IVA, just to be clear. Difference? I ended up paying around 110% ie everything I owed.

To everyone else who wasn't being sarcastic, thanks.

I merely came here for opinion, not the opinions of a select few who have a chip on the shoulder.

timberflake

13000 wrote: »

Well I think that is a bit rich.

Before you entered your IVA you borrowed money, with a contract and agreement to pay it back. You didn't.

You agreed to pay them a certain amount for a certain amount of time. You didn't.

You then offered them even less than the agreed amount in a full and final.

The only difference is that I am talking about a different type of contract, everything else is still equally as valid. You still got out of your contract. How is that different? The companies in question still lost out.

Any yes, I have an IVA, just to be clear. Difference? I ended up paying around 110% ie everything I owed.

To everyone else who wasn't being sarcastic, thanks.

I merely came here for opinion, not the opinions of a select few who have a chip on the shoulder.

And what makes you think I didn't pay 100% of my debt back? As it happens I did, so don't presume to make assumptions.

I hit on hard times, faced up to my responsibilities & negotiated with my creditors to pay back 100% of the amount I borrowed. You want to cancel your contract because you don't use you're allowance, big difference.

Scania_Man

I can't offer any pearls of wisdom or any help but I would be interested to hear if you get sorted. I'm in the same sort of situation but the difference is that I am happy with the usage and contract amount etc, however due to unforeseen circumstances I will be going abroad long term shortly and will (reluctantly) have to cancel it probably.