Early Termination of o2 Contract b/c Leaving?

Hi,

I moved to London (permanently, I believed) in July '08, and was able to set up a Pay Monthly contract for an iPhone with o2 around September, once I had set up my living situation/bank account/etc.

Unfortunately due to health issues, I am now having to return to the US rather suddenly, and need to terminate the contract. I am being told that I will be charged my monthly rate x the months left in my contract -- which will come to somewhere between £250-350!!

I don't have that kind of money. When I canceled my TMobile contract in the US to come to the UK, they overrode the early termination fee once I provided proof I was leaving the country. Does anyone know if I will be able to do the same here? What about a doctor's letter, stating I am leaving for health reasons?

Has anyone had any experience terminating an o2 contract early, and can offer advice? Really, anything at all would be helpful, even where to start with them on the phone, or whether it's easier to talk to Customer Service over the phone, vs going into a store...

TIA!

-C.

Hi there

Standard practice is that you pay up the 'rest' of the months left on the contract if you wish to terminate early. You need to take a look through all the Terms & Conditions of the contract you took out, if it says in there that you are still liable for the remaining months even if you leave the country then that's what you'll have to do - after all, you did 'agree' to it. If it's not clearly defined, then write a letter to O2, cite you had the same scenario the other way around when you left the USA with T mobile and they waived the charges and that as an act of goodwill if they'd do the same. You can only ask to see what their response is. To sweeten the deal, you could also send them back the handset, but try to keep it and try to only use that bargaining chip if needs be.

Try to use the Doctors note, see if that'll help..

Good luck !

Cheers! DtM! West London & Slough UK!