I need to find a phone contract that will give me cash back so can pay the remaining 5 months on old contract?

Question

Had 5 months left on 3 mobile contract-hooray, went and broke phone, no insurance, and here's the catch, 3 will not allow me to get cheap phone to use old sim in so can see out the end of my contract. So, i either pay between £30-£80 to get it fixed, or i pay £150 and end contract early. 3 network is about the only one that can't be unlocked and to be honest i can't wait to be shot of it! So i'm after a bit of advice on what the best deals are, will any companies buy out contract, or will i have to go down cash back route, which isn't always as simple as it sounds, the worse thing is, can't get into sim with all my contacts in-aaaaaghhhhh!

can't use phone as dropped on tile floor in kitchen, so very very dead.
3 network would be happy to have my custom and upgrade my handset if i signed another 18 month contract. Hell would have to freeze over before i signed on the dotted line with them again. Got deal on line so didn't go into a store, no 3 outlets anywhere near me, and customer services is based in india, so face to face is out of the question!

Also. they aren't missing out on 5 months i'm having to pay it, re original question.

thanks everyone, first time asked a question-well impressed!!
As far as buying handset in superdrug, is this pay as you go, do i just swap sim? asked 3 whether i could do this originally but they said couldn't register contract to another 3 PAYG phone not possible blah blah blah, were they just stone walling me?

Answer 1

I am on 3 myself and they are rubbish. My partner got a call from phones 4u as one of her contracts was coming to the end. Yesterday we got 2 nokia n73 music edition phones on vodafone with £170 cash back. Plus £135 cheque to come as well. The money back is between the 2 of us, not each. I'm sure they will sort something out for you. If you can borrow someone's 3 phone that has bluetooth in it, you'll be able to put your old sim in the borrowed phone and bluetooth your contacts from the old phone to the new one. Then you'll be all set up with a new phone, contract and network of your choice, while the cashback will pay some, if not all, of your old 3 contract.

Answer 2

no new contract will give you cashback straight away so your plan would not work anyway. sorry!
what you could do is go to a superdrug store and buy a Motorola c975. its not the greatest phone, its big and chunky but whats the point in paying monthly line rental if you cant use the benefits you get?
the phone is about £29.99.
the carphone warehouse will not buy your old contract off you, they would be ripping themselves off, they just don't have a policy like this (i know this as i am a former employee of the company),
if you pay off the remaining line rental, there is a small chance this will affect your credit rating as its classed as 'pulling out of a contract before time'.
the best advice i can give you is don't go on 3 ever again as they change their policies too often and end up ripping you off in some way. as their handsets are 3rd generation and not tested as well as they should be, there is always bound to be some problem with it and they will charge you to fix it

Answer 3

I find it hard to believe that 3 would not want your business for 5 months? I suggest you visit a 3 store or a 3 concession in superdrug and speak to them. The network will not want to lose 5 months calls and services revenue, they should offer you an upgrade with a premium or a payg to put your sim in.

Failing that the only people I know that actively buy out contracts are 4U. However they then put the business on O2 and they have just pulled their contract so they can't sell O2 any longer. Personally I would not buy a case from them never mind a phone. Speak to someone face to face from your network, they will help you.

Answer 4

Are you sure you cannot get your phone unblocked? I did and transferred my Orange SIM card into the dustbin, inserted another from Vodaphone and all my address book was there. I was surprised but you have a problem with the Contract. They are probably correct in stating you must either pay up to end it or continue paying. See if you can use you SIM card in a friend's phone, make a call and if it works, obtain a phone and you will be on your way, using up your current unexpired Contract. Then move to another provider!

Answer 5

go to the carphone warehouse. they were trying to get me to change my contract. they have an insurance that you buy and that will pay off your old contract so you can take up a new one. as for your sim, find a friend with a 3 phone and ask them to borrow it long enough for you to get all your numbers and stuff off. good luck

Answer 6

nobody does that anymore. there are too many plans with the same rates. you can figure out which is cheaper to do. add up how much it will cost for the rest of the phone contract and compare that to the early termination fees. go with which ever is cheaper.

Answer 7

I work in phones 4 u and we do cashback on selected deals, pop in to your local store im sure theyll do u a good deal!

Answer 8

try a phones 4u shop say you are thinking of geting a new phone they usually give cash back be carefull tho say u dont want to go on 3,they can be pushy too,hope this helps.

Answer 9

good luck on that one, mate. wireless providers have pretty tight contracts. you might be stuck. look for a new provider that is more consumer-friendly next time. sorry.

Answer 10

go to www.mymobiledeals.co.uk