Desperately need out mobile phone contract!!!!

PiggyG

Is there anyway of reducing or cancelling my phone contract early? I know you can buy out of contract but I can't afford too. I need to cut my bill in half at least. I don't use the allowance s and am desperate any ideas?
Louise

[Deleted User]

PiggyG wrote: »

Is there anyway of reducing or cancelling my phone contract early? I know you can buy out of contract but I can't afford too. I need to cut my bill in half at least. I don't use the allowance s and am desperate any ideas?
Louise

I'd start with asking whoever your contract is with as only they can give you actual figures, but unless they're feeling generous (explain why you need out) they're likely to hold you to it.

They might see about switching you to a lower monthly payment contract but with a longer term if you ask nicely.

If possible I'd try a face to face encounter first and see where that gets you.

macman

How many months do you have left on your minimum term? Assuming your contract came with an expensive handset, sell that and swap your SIM to something cheap and cheerful bought SIM-free. Use the cash left to finance the rest of your contract.
The only legal ways out of your agreed contract are bankruptcy or death-neither of which are presumably options that you want to pursue? Default and you will trash your credit record for the next 6 years.
But why did you take out a contract you can't afford, with allowances that you don't need?

ryan121

There is no way. The only option is to stop paying and then they are more likely to come to an arrangement when they understand you are in difficulty. That will ruin your credit rating but priorities first.

mobilejunkie

I would regard THAT as the priority.

mac.d

Stopping paying and being chased up for a debt isn't really an option, but a very last resort. The options are a given above by macaman and colin_maybe.

ryan121

How is it not an option when they say they are desperate? I was in a similar situation years ago and had to default. I didn't have a job for six months, these things happen.

Rent and food are more important than a phone contract.

mac.d

Sorry I just mean that it should be treated as a last resort, if you've tried and failed with all the other options, not that its not something you should never do.

chib

Look at it more this way, the contract is a loan you've taken from the network. If you want to terminate it, you'll need to pay it off ... almost like a settlement fee.

The handset you received as part of the contract happens to be an asset you have that you could sell to put towards paying the contract off. Unless it's a premium handset and you are close to the end of the contract, you'll probably need to add a little to cover it.

I could be wrong but previously I think Vodafone used to multiply the standard payment of the months remaining and deduct 20%.