Terminating EE contract early without penalties, due to increase above inflation rate 16 March 2022 at 7:11PM edited 16 March 2022 at 7:13PM in Mobiles 14 replies 599 views

jovinyixa

Hi all,

According to Which?, I can cancel my contract early without penalties if my provider increases their prices above the inflation rate. That's exactly what EE is doing, but they're refusing to wave the early termination fee when I contacted them, even after I shared the Which? link.

They say that their price increase is "in line with OFCOM guidelines" so early termination fees still apply. I wasn't satisfied with that so they'll send me a deadlock letter confirming that decision.

In the meantime, does anyone know if I'm misinterpreting Which?'s article or maybe it isn't accurate? I signed up for a 24-month contract in Jan 2021, in case that's relevant.

Thanks!

southsidergs

I'd imagine it's because it's in the t&c's that you agreed too when taking the contract out as most have the increase in them. You'd need to look at order confirmation etc to check

Edit: you don't have a leg to stand on as per the EE link you posted - CPI (Consumer Price Index) plus 3.9% applies to customers whose contract started after 31 August 2020

matelodave

As said above, most ISP's have now included the 3.9% plus inflation increase included in their T&C's just so they can avoid customers jumping ship halfway through their contracts due to price increases.

flashg67

I'm no lawyer, but I'm surprised at the Which article, which from what I understand of the OFCOM accepted 'rules' is giving  incorrect information

southsidergs

flashg67 said:

I'm no lawyer, but I'm surprised at the Which article, which from what I understand of the OFCOM accepted 'rules' is giving  incorrect information

That would be covered by this paragraph from the article -

"But if your mobile phone provider has warned you about rises in their terms and conditions and they are in line with RPI, you won’t be able to leave if you’re still locked into a contract. If you do want to leave, you'll have to pay an exit fee."

jovinyixa

Hi everybody. Thanks for your replies!

I thought that the Ofcom guidelines that the Which? article referred to would override any conflicting terms in the contract, but I missed the bit quoted by southsidergs.

So yeah I don't think I have a leg to stand on here!

chistery

If it was that easy, everyone would be taking out a new phone in Jan, and cancelling in April and getting a very cheap phone. 

Chrysalis

In same boat, note there seems to be no way to view your contract on the account page.

I checked my archive emails and sadly cannot find any receipt, so I have filled in the online complaints form asking for a copy of my original unamended contract without telling them why I want it, whether they send me it remains to be seen.

It's not the end of the world as my contract ends at end of April this, I will move to 1p mobile.

I feel EE have completely gone out of touch, their cheapest monthly sim is £15 a month which is a very high cost of entry, their PAYG is obviously bad value but also will soon be capped to 25mbit, and even their social tariff costs more than 1p mobile, so even on their social tariff they got really high margins.

To terminate now would cost me £45 96% of my normal cost.

Chrysalis

Well that was quick.

EE rang me up and beat 1p mobiles price, 12 month not 24 month commitment and exempt from 2023 rise, plus backdated discount, result.

ProDave

Chrysalis said:

Well that was quick.

EE rang me up and beat 1p mobiles price, 12 month not 24 month commitment and exempt from 2023 rise, plus backdated discount, result.

What exactly have they offered you for how much per month please?

My daughters phone is with EE, out of contract I think, and I am interested in trying to get a better deal.  Moving that one as well to 1P is a possibility I am considering, so interested to hear what they have offered you.

Chrysalis

125 gig for £15, 1p mobile is 50 gig for £15.

I was on 200 gig for £28 and after increase would have been over £32.

On website you can only get 1 gig for £15.

Their standard 125 gig package is now doubled to 250 gig just noticed, which isnt bad even without a retentions deal, if you prepared to spend over £20, in my case though I wanted to get my spend back down to £15.