Virgin Contract 3 years instead of 2

MacyD

Hi I have had problems with my I phone which is contracted through Virgin media. The problems started a few weeks after having it for 1 year. It wasn't until I was having problems I noticed the contract was a 35 month contract and not a 2 year contract that I have had with virgin media for 7 years now, which I kept re - newing. They are saying there is nothing they can do to help, I am still paying full price (calls etc) for a phone that I cant get or receive calls. As a carer in the community I rely on my phone and have missed important calls. The only option they gave me was pay £240 for them to look at the phone to fix it or pay £350 for the rest of the contract. They wont let me have another phone on contract unless I pay for a sim contract with it as they say they don't do phone only contracts. Is there anything I can do?
Thank you in advance

buglawton

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Motorola-Moto-G6-Play-Version/dp/B07F8WHPXD

Buy a cheap but  reliable brand phone that's unlocked to any network for £115 like the link above. Move you SIM into it to keep your number. It's not worth arguing with Virgin at the moment you need to get on with your life. Maybe Tesco Extra branches also have their phone aisles open, just ensure the phone is unlocked, has 32GB storage + 3GB ram, anything less may struggle to work smoothly these days.

Marvel1

I would buy a cheap basic phone in the meantime:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=pay+as+you+go+phones+unlocked&i=electronics&s=price-asc-rank&crid=1NYEC0V1U97YG&qid=1587538680&sprefix=pay+as+you+go+phone%2Celectronics%2C213&ref=sr_st_price-asc-rank

buglawton

Also, you must be referring to the Virgin Freestyle 36 month contract.
The 36 months is the loan term, separate from your monthly calls part.
And in effect Virgin are asking £350 for you to pay off 2 years remainder of that loan, before they will let you take a new similar contract with a new phone. That's one expensive deal there. 

Did you discuss the Tradeup option with Virgin?

What is Freestyle Trade Up?

Freestyle Trade Up allows you to use the value your device to offset the outstanding balance of your current Freestyle loan.
For example, if your outstanding Freestyle Loan amount is £150 and your device is valued at £100, you only have to pay the remaining £50 at that point to be upgraded.

https://www.virginmedia.com/help/virgin-mobile-understanding-my-contract