Leaving T-Mobile the right way

R34GTT

I have read numerous threads across the internet about people being charged a fee by T-Mobile the moment they request a PAC before the end of a contract even if the PAC isn't used until after the contract end date.

My contract ends 10/02/15 and from what I've read elsewhere the best course of action is to give 30 days notice to T-Mobile allowing around 5 working days after the contract end date to then port out using a PAC.. So this is my plan:

19/01/15: Give 30 days notice
10/02/15: Contract ends
11/02/15: Request PAC and use it immediately once received
12/02/15: Number ports to new network between now and 18/02/15
18/02/15: End of 30 days notice

As my billing date is 12th of the month I believe T-Mobile will then bill me for line rental from 12/02/15 to 18/02/15 but no other fees or charges.

Does this sound right to people who've left T-Mobile previously?

Many thanks!

mobilejunkie

I'm not sure, but I think the PAC request cancels the notice - in which case you'd be charged for another 30 days from the request (but I could be wrong).

grumbler

R34GTT wrote: »

I have read numerous threads across the internet about people being charged a fee by T-Mobile the moment they request a PAC before the end of a contract even if the PAC isn't used until after the contract end date.

My contract ends 10/02/15 and from what I've read elsewhere the best course of action is to give 30 days notice to T-Mobile allowing around 5 working days after the contract end date to then port out using a PAC.. So this is my plan:

19/01/15: Give 30 days notice
10/02/15: Contract ends
11/02/15: Request PAC and use it immediately once received
12/02/15: Number ports to new network between now and 18/02/15
18/02/15: End of 30 days notice

As my billing date is 12th of the month I believe T-Mobile will then bill me for line rental from 12/02/15 to 18/02/15 but no other fees or charges.

Does this sound right to people who've left T-Mobile previously?

Many thanks!

• 14/01 give the notice as per the T&C (take notes of everything).
• 14/01 request the PAC (technically it cancels the notice, but you don't care as the T&C say nothing about this). Don't agree to cancel the notice if they ask you.
• In ~28 days port the number out. They have to charge you for 30 days from 14/01; a part of this period was already paid in advance.

T-mobile will typically pull the fast one and charge for 30 days from porting.
Fight this and get the money refunded.

Alt.: give a notice and ask to switch to PAYG in 30 days. When on PAYG get a PAC and port out immediately. However, they will demand topping PAYG account up before switching you to PAYG.

If you "give 30 days notice to T-Mobile allowing around 5 working days after the contract end" you will pay for the next 30 days in the best case scenario (if they don't try to rob you like they normally do).

R34GTT

grumbler wrote: »

• 14/01 give the notice as per the T&C (take notes of everything).
• 14/01 request the PAC (technically it cancels the notice, but you don't care as the T&C say nothing about this). Don't agree to cancel the notice if the ask you.
• In ~28 days port the number out. They have to charge you for 30 days from 14/01; a part of this period was already paid in advance.

T-mobile will typically pull the fast one and charge for 30 days from porting.
Fight this and get the money refunded.

Alt.: give a notice and ask to switch to PAYG in 30 days. When on PAYG get a PAC and port out immediately. However, they will demand topping PAYG account up before switching you to PAYG.

If you "give 30 days notice to T-Mobile allowing around 5 working days after the contract end" you will pay for the next 30 days in the best case scenario (if they don't try to rob you like they normally do).

So you're saying I should give notice and request the PAC, on the same call? Then give PAC to new network on 11/02/14?

I understood T-Mobile would charge me an early contract termination fee if I request the PAC before end of contract even if I don't use it until after the contract end date, is that not the case?

grumbler

R34GTT wrote: »

So you're saying I should give notice and request the PAC, on the same call?

Generally, why not? However, I'd do this in two calls to have the note about the notice left in the account.

Then give PAC to new network on 11/02/14?

Yes.

I understood T-Mobile would charge me an early contract termination fee if I request the PAC before end of contract even if I don't use it until after the contract end date, is that not the case?

That's what all networks do - charge for the next 30 days after getting a notice or giving a PAC.
T-mobile are unique in trying to rob leaving customers by charging the ETC (the cost of the remaining days) plus for 30 days since the PAC is used - if you get it before the minimum term expired.
Probably it isn't the case after the minimum term ends (I don't know) but in this case you will be charged for the next 30 days after getting the PAC, as I said above. Do you really want to pay until ~10/03?

A recent thread with a link to the older thread inside: T-Mobile / EE Help

R34GTT

OK thanks, sounds like there is no way to avoid the ETC so I'll ring to get the PAC today and await my next bill on 12/02/14 with the charge I will need to get removed. Then at some point the final bill should materialise with just the line rental usage between 12/02/14 and porting date.

mobilejunkie

That's cutting it fine. You're relying on the new network to port within a day (it only lasts for 30 days). If they are late the PAC will expire and it all starts again.

R34GTT

mobilejunkie wrote: »

That's cutting it fine. You're relying on the new network to port within a day (it only lasts for 20 days). If they are late the PAC will expire and it all starts again.

Assume typo, 30 days right?

So what's the maximum time it can take to port a number once you've supplied the PAC? Think I'll hold off asking for the PAC until 19/01 to allow a few days after contract expiry for the port to go through.

mobilejunkie

R34GTT wrote: »

Assume typo, 30 days right?

So what's the maximum time it can take to port a number once you've supplied the PAC? Think I'll hold off asking for the PAC until 19/01 to allow a few days after contract expiry for the port to go through.

Yes, it was. Not sure; it may depend on the efficiency of the networks - although I understand there is a supposed maximum time. That won't be much comfort for the sake of a few days. I never port, but have done it on rare occasions for some other people when ordering a new contract. It didn't always go smoothly.

flashg67

Here's my current experience which pretty much goes as expected from the replies above:-

Billing cycle is 5th each month
Contract ends - 5/2/15
Requested PAC 6/1/15
Used PAC 12/1/15

Now have a bill for Line rental + an ETC

Called T-mobile who said I would receive a pro rata refund from 12/1/15 to 5/2/15.

Remains to be seen if I will get this refund before they take the 'extra' payment on 22/1/15.

Not an overwhelmingly good experience......

R34GTT

Got my PAC today and was told there would be an ETC of £15.91 but not to worry about it as it was just a pro-rated line rental charge.

This made no sense to me at all since I'm already due to pay the bill of £26.20 for the period 11/01/15-10/02/15. I don't understand how the £15.91 is calculated, it can't be pro-rated for 30 days from now because that would only need 7 extra days usage to be applied after my contract end date which would amount to just under £6.

I don't intend using the PAC until after my contract expires on 10/02/15 so will use it on 11/02/15. I will see what my next bill has on it for ETC when it gets produced on 12/02/15 and then challenge T-Mobile if it's significantly more than £6.