Getting out of a mobile phone contract

[arryb]

I'm currently on a 12 month contract and have finished that and am at the end of my 13th month (they carried it over because I didn't tell them to stop and I'm happy with that), however, I phoned up today hoping that they could migrate my number to PAYG (I don't like any of the current phones out with my service provider and don't want to tie myself into a 12 or 18 month contract with a phone I don't want) so see this as the only way to go, at least for a few months anyway. Having spoken to them at the end of my contract (month 12) I spoke to a customer services rep and told them I was in two minds what to do and they said that if I wanted to go to PAYG then they could put me through to someone who would change it for me that moment if I so wished.

I didn't bother doing it then but have now just phoned up to say I wish to go to PAYG and they are saying I have to give 30 days notice (written) - is this correct seeing as I am actually out of my original 12 month contract? If so, is there any way of getting out of it now? I want to keep my number so that I can migrate it to my next contract when I get it.

Any help of info greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Arry.

[miniman]

Easiest answer is to ask for disconnections and ask them for your PAC (Port Authority Code) which enables you to bugger off to another supplier. They will then offer you pretty much whatever you want to stay with them.

Personally if it gets to this then I will usually take the PAC and go somewhere else. A few minutes ago, though, I spoke to Vodafone to get an upgrade to replace the handset which my wife destroyed in the rain today, and low and behold they asked me what I wanted, and immediately said no problem, we will have it to you on Thursday, free, same 12 month contract as before. Which was nice.

[The Ben]

yep unfortunately it is the correct procedure, just as they would have to give you 30 days notice outside your contract period if they decided they were going to disconnect you.

However, with Orange, if you say you want to go to Pay as you go, they send you a PAYG sim, and as soon as you get it, you ring them up and they cancel your contract and send your number over to the new sim! I'm surprised your network have not done that. Though, you could try ringing up again as you may have been talking to a chimp!

[arryb]

I am with Vodafone - I thought (having been told the first time that it was very simple and could be done over the phone) that I wouldn't have to give the notice and now having called them and asked to change to PAYG, they have told me to give 30 days notice.... Is it possible to change to a different provider and to end my vodafone contract straight away if I have my PAC code or will they still charge me for the extra month??

[sneijder]

30 days written, double check the address too as they seem to change them on a monthly basis.

Never just cancel your direct debit as tempting as it seems, as it might just bite you in the bum later in life.

[TJW]

I work for Vodafone and can confirm that it is 30days Written notice, please send your letter to;

Vodafone Ltd
PO Box 549
Banbury
OXON
OX17 3ZJ

They will get back to you with your cancellation date & PAC code(presuming you've asked for one).

[arryb]

TJW said:

I work for Vodafone and can confirm that it is 30days Written notice, please send your letter to;

Vodafone Ltd
PO Box 549
Banbury
OXON
OX17 3ZJ

They will get back to you with your cancellation date & PAC code(presuming you've asked for one).

I've now been told that it's possible to give the notice by phone (he said he could do it by asking his manager...). How likely is this to come back and haunt me?

[TJW]

Umm, I'm going to be honest. Most the monkeys that work at Vodafone customer services aren't trained properly, you can certainly try and all they can say is basically what I've just mentioned. The best way is either written or fax to this number 087 0161 6500.

Just to let you know, that you will be charged the monthly rental until your account is cancelled. (The 30days notice charged basically)

[Office_Monkey]

DO NOT GIVE NOTICE ON THE PHONE! - they will not honour it, write to them. and yes, you have to give notice.

[ALawson]

arryb said:

TJW said:

I work for Vodafone and can confirm that it is 30days Written notice, please send your letter to;

Vodafone Ltd
PO Box 549
Banbury
OXON
OX17 3ZJ

They will get back to you with your cancellation date & PAC code(presuming you've asked for one).

I've now been told that it's possible to give the notice by phone (he said he could do it by asking his manager...). How likely is this to come back and haunt me?

I asked Vodafone to move my number from monthly to PAYG over the phone, low and behold 1 week later my PAC code appears. I then went into a vodaphone shop to register it as PAYG, the chap looked at me and asked why I was asking them to do this when it could have been done over the phone. He then claimed that you couldn't get a PAC code verbally but had to write. I must have been lucky as they sorted it out there and then. So they can do it over the phone.

[arryb]

How did you get around the 30 day notice?? I may phone tomorrow and try my luck again

[andye30m3]

Another option might be to sign a month by month contract without a new phone, Not sure if Vodaphone do this.

I was with O2, when my contract ran out I had recently claimed for a new phone on my insurance so didn't really need another one for a while. Phoned up and they changed be on to simplicity which is £15 a month instead of £35 with the same minutes and texts. As it was another contract they did it there and then.

Recently then changed it over to a I-phone contract again this was done the same day.

[TJW]

Yep, you can do that. It's basically a 'sim-only' Package. Vodafone can do these. However, Look at Virgin for those, the 'liberty sims' are very good!

[arryb]

TJW said:

Yep, you can do that. It's basically a 'sim-only' Package. Vodafone can do these. However, Look at Virgin for those, the 'liberty sims' are very good!

So why have I not been offered this? I would be perfectly happy to go onto a £15/month deal on a month by month basis - I just don't want to be tied into an 18 month contract with a phone I don't want and thought PAYG would be the best option?

[TJW]

Ask them?

[Gazzab]

TJW said:

Umm, I'm going to be honest. Most the monkeys that work at Vodafone customer services aren't trained properly, you can certainly try and all they can say is basically what I've just mentioned. The best way is either written or fax to this number 087 0161 6500.

Just to let you know, that you will be charged the monthly rental until your account is cancelled. (The 30days notice charged basically)

They sacked you yet Tim (with a purple M3 works for Vodafone in sales)?

[arryb]

Update: Cancelled contract, was all set to go to PAYG at the end of the month, and then they offered me 600 minutes and unlimited texts (no upgraded phone) for £12.50/month on a 12 month contract so I went for that

Thanks for all the advice!

[TJW]

Gazzab said:

TJW said:

Umm, I'm going to be honest. Most the monkeys that work at Vodafone customer services aren't trained properly, you can certainly try and all they can say is basically what I've just mentioned. The best way is either written or fax to this number 087 0161 6500.

Just to let you know, that you will be charged the monthly rental until your account is cancelled. (The 30days notice charged basically)

They sacked you yet Tim (with a purple M3 works for Vodafone in sales)?

I don't work for Vodafone sales, I work for Premier Telecom ltd, one of the top 3 connections dealers for Vodafone And why would they of sacked me? lol!

[Gazzab]

cos you slated the quality of their highly trained personnel.