how to get out of expensive mobile phone contract! help!?

Question

I took out an 18 month contract with a dealer (independent) shop.
Started off at £9.99 per month, now has gone up to £35 per month - 3 mobile network.
I worked out it really costs £18 per month for the first 9 months, but I wasn't aware the bills woul be so much now.
I would like to end the contract after 12 months - does anyone know if I can do this legally!!??

Sophia

Answer 1

Although mobile companies and independants ask you to commit to an 18 month contract, I believe that they cannot legally hold you to this. This was the case when I worked for a large mobile network provider. If a customer agreed to an 18 month contract and they wanted to cancel after 12 then we could not legally hold them to it and would have to release them from contract. If you cancel before 12 months of contract then you would be liable to pay an early termination fee. If you can prove that you where not made fully aware of the costs of taking the contract out at the point of sale then you would have grounds to cancel. I must advise you that whilst I worked in this field it became quite apparent that many, many people had real difficulty in cancelling contracts taken out on the 3 network. Try citizens advice or trading standards who will tell you your consumer rights. In the meantime do continue to pay your bills. Don't use the phone once your allowances have been used and pay only line rental. Mobile companies don't mess and if you fail to pay they will pass the debt onto a debt collector, without hesitation and despite info previously given it will affect your credit rating. I wish you good luck. Take care. xxx

Answer 2

The £9.99 is the headline price. Which sometimes is either 3 months, 9 months and 12 months. Its a way of attracting customers. The only way you can get out of your contract is to pay it off. Unless you have just taken it out you have 14 days cooking off period, otherwise you're stuck with it.

Answer 3

I got into a bind with 3 because they gave my number to a third party agent with whom I signed up for an upgrade taht never arrived ( I din't know it was an agent as they had my name and number and knew I was with 3) You can pay an opt out fine to end your contract, I cancelled my direct debit and stopped paying, after 3 months they stopped billing my line rental but put the debt onto my credit rating. I would have been far better just paying their cancellation charge.

Answer 4

Find a phone insurance company that allow you to cancel contracts half way through the contract. You have to have the insurance contract for 6 weeks before you can cancel your mobile contract but seems like your only option!

Answer 5

You can do this by talking to the mobile company although they may charge you to break the contract. They may also ask for you to return the phone (assuming you took one when you started the contract).

Basically you have to talk to the company to let them know you are not happy and you want out (I know 3 are not the easiest people to talk to).

Answer 6

Well when I cancellled mine they told me I had to have the phone for 91 days which clearly you have, so I would just take it back to phone shop and see what they say. Dont forget to cancel your Direct Debit at the bank when you've done it though! And the insurance if you have it...

Answer 7

I dont think that you can, but what you should be able to do after 3 months is reduce you tariff to their (standard) minimum line rental - you prob wont get all the free mins ect but you will be able to pay less.

Answer 8

just cancel the direct debit with your bank so no money is to be taken out of it. when they send you a letter, ignore it. it wont affect your credit scoring

Answer 9

sometimes if you say that you are moving and will no longer be in their range they will let you go without any fees. try it and see! good luck!