Meteor; Change of billpay terms; get out of contract?

Covey · 28-07-2010 3:05pm

Davd wrote: »

Just a quick question - I signed up to a contract and since got a 250MB data add on. Am I also entitled to leave the contract or is it only for those that have a data plan included in their original contract?

Everyone.

Covey · 28-07-2010 3:12pm

partyatmygaff wrote: »

Has anyone managed to get out of contract without needing to surrender their phone?

Anyone ?

cojomo2 · 28-07-2010 3:13pm

partyatmygaff wrote: »

Has anyone managed to get out of contract without needing to surrender their phone?

Yes, plent have, people that posted at the start of this thread.

Covey · 28-07-2010 3:14pm

cojomo2 wrote: »

Yes, plent have, people that posted at the start of this thread.

Sorry, meant to say anyone since they've started asking for them back a few days ago?

evolutionqy7 · 28-07-2010 3:23pm

Covey wrote: »

Sorry, meant to say anyone since they've started asking for them back a few days ago?

there is no few days ago? i got out of it yesterday and they didnt ask for my phone

cojomo2 · 28-07-2010 3:24pm

evolutionqy7 wrote: »

there is no few days ago? i got out of it yesterday and they didnt ask for my phone

Yesterday morning?

jbwan · 28-07-2010 3:27pm

Covey wrote: »

I wish that were true but it's not. That scenario is specifically outlined in the contract.

Eh, no it's not?

Contract is being offered for surrender by Meteor, as they are obliged to do because of the change in the terms. Handset no longer belongs to Meteor as it's not a hire/purchase or rental agreement. It's not like we're without precedent here, O2 had the exact same problem.

partyatmygaff · 28-07-2010 3:28pm

Damn, I wish I had read this thread yesterday

Covey · 28-07-2010 3:31pm

jbwan wrote: »

Eh, no it's not?

Contract is being offered for surrender by Meteor, as they are obliged to do because of the change in the terms. Handset no longer belongs to Meteor as it's not a hire/purchase or rental agreement. It's not like we're without precedent here, O2 had the exact same problem.

I'm only speaking for myself, but it's in my contract in black and white.

jbwan · 28-07-2010 3:45pm

Covey wrote: »

I'm only speaking for myself, but it's in my contract in black and white.

Paragraph/section?

I read through mine in detail yesterday and there's nothing providing for the provider surrendering the contract, only a penalty for premature termination by the customer which is not the case here.

NothingMan · 28-07-2010 3:49pm

Covey wrote: »

I'm only speaking for myself, but it's in my contract in black and white.

I know what you mean Covey, but the quandry is does a unaccepted amendment to the contract constitute a change to the minimum term. I have a friend who will be a qualified solicitor in a few months he has said people often put things in contracts that are not legal or don't abide by regulations. The reason being, most people will see it and not argue it.

In this case I really don't see how they can not refund you for your handset and if they are allowed take your handset back then I am sure o2 would have done the same and retained the customers that left them with a brand new iPhone in tow.

I would love to get out of this contract. I sold on my handset so giving it back is not an option. I hope we get some clearer picture on this soon as I don't want the 22nd to come and go then find out what they told everyone was wrong.

Covey · 28-07-2010 3:56pm

NothingMan wrote: »

In this case I really don't see how they can not refund you for your handset and if they are allowed take your handset back then I am sure o2 would have done the same and retained the customers that left them with a brand new iPhone in tow.

I agree. From my contract it's clear they can take back the phone, but there is no mention of reimbursement. It's a point to be argued all right.

Covey · 28-07-2010 3:58pm

jbwan wrote: »

Paragraph/section?

I read through mine in detail yesterday and there's nothing providing for the provider surrendering the contract, only a penalty for premature termination by the customer which is not the case here.

I don't have it with me. However, you yourself refer to something similar further back

"All other Equipment (excluding the Meteor SIM Card) shall remain the property of Meteor until the expiry of the Minimum Period."

Thats pretty clear to me.

partyatmygaff · 28-07-2010 4:06pm

Covey wrote: »

I don't have it with me. However, you yourself refer to something similar further back

"All other Equipment (excluding the Meteor SIM Card) shall remain the property of Meteor until the expiry of the Minimum Period."

Thats pretty clear to me.

But surely if they breach the contract, all other terms becomes null & void?

Hogzy · 28-07-2010 4:07pm

Im on smart plan at the mo. Signed up 6 weeks ago but i dont have the free calls and texts to meteor (i missed out by a few weeks). If i call up meteor and ask them to put me on a new 12 month contract (basically the same as my old contract but with free meteor calls and texts) would i still have to return the phone?

jbwan · 28-07-2010 4:11pm

Covey wrote: »

I don't have it with me. However, you yourself refer to something similar further back

"All other Equipment (excluding the Meteor SIM Card) shall remain the property of Meteor until the expiry of the Minimum Period."

Thats pretty clear to me.

Yes, but the Minimum Period is void ab initio by the change of the terms of the contract and no longer applies. Otherwise the Minimum Period would remain in effect with the other clauses of the contract and nobody would be entitled to exit it.

Covey · 28-07-2010 4:11pm

partyatmygaff wrote: »

But surely if they breach the contract, all other terms becomes null & void?

They haven't breached the contract. Meteor have amended the contract and you or I have the right to cancel it with no penalty (or accept the amendment). The conditions pertaining to the early termination of the contract for whatever reason (i.e. giving back the phone) kick in on the cancellation date.

partyatmygaff · 28-07-2010 4:13pm

Hogzy wrote: »

Im on smart plan at the mo. Signed up 6 weeks ago but i dont have the free calls and texts to meteor (i missed out by a few weeks). If i call up meteor and ask them to put me on a new 12 month contract (basically the same as my old contract but with free meteor calls and texts) would i still have to return the phone?

They'd more than likely have no issue with something like that.

Covey · 28-07-2010 4:14pm

jbwan wrote: »

Yes, but the Minimum Period is void ab initio by the change of the terms of the contract and no longer applies. Otherwise the Minimum Period would remain in effect with the other clauses of the contract and nobody would be entitled to exit it.

The contract is cancelled and the Minimum Period can no longer be met. Therefore the phone goes back to Meteor as stated in the contract.

partyatmygaff · 28-07-2010 4:20pm

Covey wrote: »

The contract is cancelled and the Minimum Period can no longer be met. Therefore the phone goes back to Meteor as stated in the contract.

Then why did they allow people who called yesterday to end their contract without surrendering their phone? They must treat all their customers equally.

Covey · 28-07-2010 4:23pm

partyatmygaff wrote: »

Then why did they allow people who called yesterday to end their contract without surrendering their phone? They must treat all their customers equally.

Don't know

I'd imagine though they didn't forsee a mass exodus for what is a positive change of conditions. Would be very expensive if they gave all the phones away as well i imagine.

They don't have to treat all their customers equally in all cases either.

thomasjad · 28-07-2010 4:26pm

Looks like Orange in the Uk tried to force people to return phones in the same http://www.bitterwallet.com/orange-increase-charges-can-you-cancel-your-orange-contract/15723

partyatmygaff · 28-07-2010 4:27pm

Covey wrote: »

Don't know

I'd imagine though they didn't forsee a mass exodus for what is a positive change of conditions. Would be very expensive if they gave all the phones away as well i imagine.

They don't have to treat all their customers equally either.

But they should

Very few want to exit the contract to leave Meteor. All I want is to move to Bill pay Lite so I can upgrade when/if a better phone than what I have now is released.

Hogzy · 28-07-2010 4:29pm

Just called up and they gave me free meteor calls and texts on top of my 200mins and 200txts and 1gb of data. Delighted!

Guys try bargain with them if you can. At the end of the day the phones you return to them arent worth much but your business is. Ask them for a free upgrade or something.

Covey · 28-07-2010 4:30pm

thomasjad wrote: »

Looks like Orange in the Uk tried to force people to return phones in the same http://www.bitterwallet.com/orange-increase-charges-can-you-cancel-your-orange-contract/15723

It's a different contract though

"“14.1 your Device is not a part of your Contract – your Device and Accessories are acquired by you outside the terms of your Contract.”

Grudle · 28-07-2010 4:42pm

Just rang there to cancel my contract.

I was put through to the retention team and said I want to move from my 18 month Smart plan to the Smart Lite Plan. No arguments made and they said I will be moved over on my next bill (which is before the 22 August cut off).

No mention made of having to hand back phone. Maybe if people offer to stay on Meteor and don't just look to cancel the contract they will have better luck?

Covey · 28-07-2010 4:47pm

Grudle wrote: »

Just rang there to cancel my contract.

I was put through to the retention team and said I want to move from my 18 month Smart plan to the Smart Lite Plan. No arguments made and they said I will be moved over on my next bill (which is before the 22 August cut off).

No mention made of having to hand back phone. Maybe if people offer to stay on Meteor and don't just look to cancel the contract they will have better luck?

great.

How long are you into the contract as a matter of interest?

partyatmygaff · 28-07-2010 4:49pm

Covey wrote: »

great.

How long are you into the contract as a matter of interest?

Considering he's on a smart plan he must only be at most three months in as the smart plans were launched in April.

Grudle · 28-07-2010 4:50pm

Covey wrote: »

great.

How long are you into the contract as a matter of interest?

When did the Desire come out? 3-4 months I think.

Hogzy · 28-07-2010 4:51pm

Grudle wrote: »

Just rang there to cancel my contract.

I was put through to the retention team and said I want to move from my 18 month Smart plan to the Smart Lite Plan. No arguments made and they said I will be moved over on my next bill (which is before the 22 August cut off).

No mention made of having to hand back phone. Maybe if people offer to stay on Meteor and don't just look to cancel the contract they will have better luck?

Crap. I should have done this instead of keeping my current contract.

Meteor; Change of billpay terms; get out of contract?

Comments