7 mobile phone contracts.. I'm screwed..

Acania

ceremony said:

Is it possible to cut the cost of the contracts by downgrading the minutes/data?

Your family members might moan but it could greatly reduce the cost. Ask them to contribute some to the bills if they want more than the most basic package.

I'm gonna look into that tomorrow. 

Acania

sourcrates said:

Try and relax, use your common sense, you can’t pay what you don’t have, they are all non priority, non essential debts.
Non payment will result in the accounts going into default, before being passed on to debt collectors.
Talking to the network will be fruitless, they won’t be able to do anything, you’ll just have to go along with the process unfortunately.
Collection takes quite a long time, offer a pound a month per contract if you must, usually defaulted phone contracts take a while to be chased.
In time the debts can be repaid, don’t be a helping hand for family again.

Yeah I'm thinking same. Maybe I should let it go to a DCA and maybe they'll accept a lower amount per month anyway and maybe I'll have paid some of it anyway by then. Pretty sure £5K will be chased pretty quickly lol. But some DCAs seem to be reasonable in payment plans and some are right !!!!!!. I got a email from phone company today saying I'm overdue in my balance and if I don't pay then they will disconnect my phone and pass it to a DCA. So threats have already started from just missing one payment. 

Acania

Are they allowed to give me 7 contracts like this anyway? Isn't there any negligence on their part?

couriervanman

Acania said:

Are they allowed to give me 7 contracts like this anyway? Isn't there any negligence on their part?

Well you took them out and if you lied on any questions its your own fault......on the other hand did you not think it was unwise to take 7 contracts out

elsien

Acania said:

Are they allowed to give me 7 contracts like this anyway? Isn't there any negligence on their part?

Why are you blaming the phone company when it’s your family members who have suggested it’s a good idea for you to pay for all their phones, and you’ve agreed to go ahead.
Why are your family not giving you the money? They can’t all not be able to give you anything. 

[Deleted User]

Your family members are using you, not very nice of them at all.
Let them stand on their own 2 feet and not use you as a fallback security cushion.
If you weren't there what would they do - they'd find their own way through it, that's what.

I have a family member who's used this way by their 'friends', the things this person does for them makes me want to scream ..... but, they won't stand up to them so the situation continues on and on and on 😥

Retireinten

I agree with everything posted here:

Which family members are you paying for? Why can't they work? Why is it your job to pay for an expensive phone contract for them?

You do realise it is not normal to pay for other peoples phone contracts, don't you? And even one of these contracts would be considered expensive on your salary? 

We're a family of four,  on a very healthy income and our combined mobile contracts cost less than a 7th of your £400 each month. 

Find out all the contract end dates and ensure you end each one as soon as you can. 


Personally I would contact the mobile provider, tell them you are in financial difficulty and ask for options to (safely) reduce the cost by drastically limiting the package for each of these. At least this will reduce the debt you are building up. You will need to look into capping everyone's phone usage so they don't spend over the new minutes/data. 

Next speak to each family member and tell them that you can no longer afford to pay these contracts and what can they offer you each month as a contribution. 

Now you shouldn't get any new contracts out for family members in the future.... but I'd be tempted not to tell them that at this stage.  I'd be tempted to tell them that if they can't cover the cost this will be last contract you ever take out for them because you won't be able to get the credit. This might encourage them to contribute!

DCFC79

The contracts dont need to be expensive ones, you can get as low as £5 so that would cost you £35.
Why the need to have expensive contracts ?
I think its high time you look at your spending and cut back.

Speak to the network NOW, explain you cant afford the monthly amount and you need to reduce them significantly.

Sea_Shell

Are you able to at least keep the payments up on the contract for your own personal phone?   If so, at least that way your own phone is not at risk of being cut off.   

payless

These must be for high end phones,... do you still have them?