EE/02 - Default and handset issue

Meleelord

Hi all, 

I'm here to seek some advice. I have got myself into a lot of debt of which I now cannot afford. The latest issue which has tipped me over the edge is taking out multiple mobile contracts with EE and 02 and then selling on the device for quick cash on eBay. I was desperate and unable to get a loan. 

I'm now at a point where I can't afford to pay them all, we are due to have a little one soon and bills are tight. I'm seeking out help from Stepchange and they have advised I go on a debt management plan.

I accept that my accounts are going to default and in the long run I will be better off for my family, but my only fear is that the mobile devices I sold getting blacklisted for non payment. 

On EE terms & conditions it states that after 6 months the devices are owned by me, now all the devices I sold are over that time period so it should be okay?

With 02 I haven't been able to find much. 

I'm feeling a sense of relief getting the help on the debt plan, but also stressed that the people I sold these phones to on eBay will start getting in touch to say the devices are now blocked. 

Any advice would be much appreciated. 

PHK

Generally speaking, handsets are only blacklisted if they are reported stolen or if no payments are made at all. 
Generally, if you've made some payments then you 'just' owe them the outstanding amount.  


But there are wrinkles to this for example a particular network blocking the handset but its okay on others or you being responsible for the amount a dealer subsided the handset (which they paid out of their commision)  if you don't finish the contract. 

So I would speak to EE and O2 to understand the exact position in your case. 

By the way, it takes a lot of courage to be open and honest about things that got out-of control so well done at wanting to put it right. 

Meleelord

PHK said:

Generally speaking, handsets are only blacklisted if they are reported stolen or if no payments are made at all. 
Generally, if you've made some payments then you 'just' owe them the outstanding amount.  


But there are wrinkles to this for example a particular network blocking the handset but its okay on others or you being responsible for the amount a dealer subsided the handset (which they paid out of their commision)  if you don't finish the contract. 

So I would speak to EE and O2 to understand the exact position in your case. 

By the way, it takes a lot of courage to be open and honest about things that got out-of control so well done at wanting to put it right. 

Thank you, I'll reach out to the networks to find out what will happen in this scenario as they will hopefully know best! I got the handsets directly from the network. 

simax

EE used to blacklist for non-payment within the first 6 months, not after. No other network in the UK has that provision…. So you’ll be 100% fine.

Meleelord

simax said:

EE used to blacklist for non-payment within the first 6 months, not after. No other network in the UK has that provision…. So you’ll be 100% fine.

Okay great thanks, I still need to speak with them both but good to know that the handsets I've sold on won't be blacklisted and cause me more issues down the line. 

Meleelord

I managed to get an answer from EE, they said that the handsets wouldn't be blocked after the 6 months, 

Still trying to get an answer from O2, I've spoken to customer service, payments, debt recovery and haven't got a clear answer. I've now queried this with escalation team.