How to squirm out of that contract you can't afford anymore

Trapped in an exorbitant phone/broadband contract?

Most companies will make it seem impossible to escape unless you pay hundreds in ‘early cancellation fees’.

But there are ways. Here are 5 of them:

Weirdly, upgrade

When you upgrade, you’re often technically entering into a ‘new’ contract.

Which means a new ‘cooling off period’ (usually 14 or 30 days).

Then, you can cancel the overall services without a fee, within minutes of your ‘upgrade’.

This usually works (like 70% of the time).

But some stingy buggers have caught on to this, and have worded their contracts to just drop you back onto your previous plan.

If that’s the case for you, just…

Get a new provider

Often, we’re cancelling our contracts because there’s a better deal elsewhere.

Most phone/WiFi providers will offer to cover your cancellation fees if it means you’ll switch to them.

Generally, even the less generous providers will offer you the equivalent credit to use against your new service.

It’s common sense for them to stump up the money to bag you long-term.

Say you’re moving (to Hull)

Most contracts stipulate that providers can’t legally charge you the cancellation fee if you move to a house where they can’t provide the promised service.

The only broadband provider in Hull is K-com, which has its own, independent infrastructure.

So other providers cannot physically provide you with a service there.

They can’t hold up their end of the bargain, so they have to let you end your contract there and then without any additional charges.

You’ll probably need to mention a specific address in Hull. Just get a random one in the middle of the town and you'll be sound.

It’s a bit cheeky, but most providers will take that at face value.

Some will ask for ‘proof’ of the new address before waiving the fee.

The workaround is to simply hang up and call again until you get a customer support rep who just doesn’t care.

It's my inalienable right to take advantage of shit-tier customer service. Takes max 3 calls to get cancelled this way.

Complain (best if your service actually sucks)

If your service is usually slow/down, you can ask them to run an Ofcom speed complaint.

They will monitor it for 30 days and then note the outcome on your account.

If you’re below the service you were promised, you can leave penalty-free (and reclaim for the month you had to wait).

The companies will try to fob you off with excuses, say they’re working to improve things, and kick the can down the road.

But if you want out, just keep complaining and escalating until it gets cancelled with no charges.

If you still get some pushback, use resolute to arbitrate & they will stand down in the end. 

We’ve already got it, mate

Say you’re moving into a household that the company are already supplying.

New flatshare, back home with the parents - whatever.

They’ll usually waive the cancellation fees without looking into it any further.

Like the Hull example, if anyone starts playing Sherlock, hang up and call back until you get someone who hates their job more than they hate you (be nice and friendly on the phone, it goes a long way).