How soon into a phone contract can you change the plan?

[wilksj01]

Hi All,

I am about to get a new phone contract as my old one is due to expire. I have looked at several phones and have decided on the Nokia 8800 Sirocco.

Now the price on these is about £250 on a standard pay monthly price plan however if I go for a more expensive price plan (£50 per month) I can get the phone for free.

Now here's my thinking..... Why don't I take out the most expensive price plan get the phone and then downgrade to the cheapest pan?

Now this seems a little too easy so I thought I'd bring it to the mighty Hexus forum to see what you guys think????

[GeorgeTuk]

Yeah but do you usually spend £50 per month on calls if not you are giving them money. Just wait, they always end up free on any tariff after about 4 months.

Edit: in answer to your direct question the contract cannot be changed for at least 12 months, if not on higher price plans it could be 18 months.

[Taz]

I took out a 12-month Orange contract last year and was able to change my plan after 3 months.

[HoldenBurn1000]

The majorty say 6 months is the cut off point for changing unless somthing else was sorted out at time of taking out the contract.

[Waka]

It depends. ;-p
It depends on the operator and the tariff. Usually on a 12 month tariff you can change after 6 months (some are nine though). On an 18 month tariff it will be longer.

You need to check (and get in writing!) from phone seller/network.

W.

[sTrAnGeFrUiT!]

i know with vodafone you have to wait 6 months before you can downgrade your plan

[HoldenBurn1000]

Yer is industry standard to downgrade at 6 months but you can got up tariffs at any point you want, they will never say no to taking more money off you trust me Im the manager of mobile phone shop

[Tom Scott]

What a terrible terrible handset choice.

Don't get a 8800 (of any version), they're pretty, but they're terrible (read the HEXUS review of the first version to get an impression).

[chicken]

As a lot of people are saying, the standard is 6 months but there is some variance in time as well as how big a downgrade you can do from the plan you took up. For example Three have just stated that at least in their initial time for downgrades you can only drop 1 level either by price or within the that particular tariff type.

Be very careful when you take out your contract as changing it before 6 months can often result in the shop getting their commission revoked by the network, and there is likely to be a clause in your T&C's stating that doing so will leave you owing them the money they initially gave you off the phone.

[Koolpc]

Depends who you are with

[Tom Scott]

If you're signing up for an 18 month contract (which is becoming increasingly common) then make sure you can downswitch after 6 or 9 months. Some networks/Service providors will not let you switch for 17 months on an 18 month term.