Breaking out of contracts?

[Noxis]

Ok so I am not happy with my handset (XDA Exec) its a good PDA, but as a phone its just plain buggy. Randomly I cant hear people on the other end, randomly it just decides it not longer will get a signal and requires a reset.

Its been irritating me from day one from the phone handset point of view.

I got it at the beginning of last december on a 12 month contract so I got just over 6 months left. Its £35 a month.

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Today in the Metro is a very nice deal that appeals to me, I would prefer to be on T-Mobile simply because its the only network I can get a signal on in my flat (I think its a wavelength/frequency thing through concrete and brick). Deal in the metro is a free handset from a range (I really like the PEBL) plus £180 monthly allowance for mins/text (which would give me more than I have now) and a free XBox360, all for £35 a month (what I am already paying).

 

[Noxis]

Considering the problems I am having with the XDA Exec and signal problems I am wondering if I can get out of the contract for free.

Edit: Just spoke to O2 (was gonna try to wait until lunch but sneaked off down stairs ) not good If I wanna break contract I have to pay the remaining amounts which is gonna be about £245 Even tho I am not happy with the handset, all they would do is attempt to fix it

 

[Noxis]

First ring up and lower the tariff on your phone to O2 25 - this is £16pm

Wait a day or so then ring back again and ask to settle your contract in full, you will be required to pay 6x£16 and that will be that.

If you don't lower your tariff first then you're required to pay 6x£35.. you can't however, lower your tariff, and ask to disconnect in the same phonecall.

Ooh good point. Is that the cheapest contract? Will go check their site...

 

[Noxis]

As you've already discovered, this would be unlikely, as with most networks, the handset makes up no part of your network airtime agreement (which is what the monthly fee is for). Hence a faulty or missing handset is not a reason that the contract can be cancelled free of charge.

I was actually hoping for a refund on the £150 i paid for the XDA Exec and a replacement handset... but they wont do that either. They just say they will send it off to be repaired... which I know will do jack.

I think what I am going to do is reduce it to £16 a month (phoned them and confirmed I can from May onwards) then take out a T-Mobile deal from one of the usual 3rd party suspects that gives me the first 6 months free.

I'd never use a XBox 360 anyway so i'd actually be saving money and getting more texts/mins as well as reception in my flat

 

[Noxis]

Would it be possible to flog the o2 phone on a well known auction site and use the funds to repay the contract if you're going to get the pebl with T-Mobile.

o2 phones don't tend to be locked so often sell better than the locked equivalents from other networks.

The XDA Exec makes a very nice pda - just sucks as a phone due to bugs (losing signal, strange dialling but no sound etc..). So was planning on keeping it as a PDA.

I have gone for T-Mobile with the PEBL and 6 months free (paid back via rebates). The plan being I will reduce my O2 to £16 a month in May and I get 6 months free on T-Mobile. So actually saving myself quite a bit of dosh in the process.

 

[Noxis]

Dunno about O2, but vodafone (iirc) allow for free down grades... might be able to swap ya phone for a "worse" one?

I asked that - they wouldnt

 

[Noxis]

no offence but the pebl is horrid, why have you gone from a xda to something so basic?

I am not interested in features - simply a phone that works as a phone. And to be perfectly honest the clock on the front I am going to find really useful (dont wear a watch).

 

[Noxis]

so you never actually used the XDA for what it was, just bought it anyway?

No exactly the opposite, I use most of the other features of the XDA but its phone ability completly sucks. I am keeping the XDA as well which is why I am not fussed if the PEBL does nothing apart from be a phone.