Flex pay 36 month 😥

[ste2]

Please bear with me here I upgraded my iPhone XS Max in 2023 like I usually do every two years. I was under the impression that come 2025 I would be able to upgrade but even though my air time contact runs out next year my flex pay contract runs out next 2026. I’ve tried to get some clarity with EE and I requested a transcript of the call back in 2023 but the rude lady at the complaints department said that wasn’t possible. I do suffer really badly with ADHD and she’s just basically hung up on me. And the outcome was this is all my fault. Since when was a phone contract 2 years and the phone contact 3 years. I’ve been with EE 18 years and always upgraded every two years I pay EE £90 a month for my iPhone and iwatch. This flex pay thing wasn’t explained to me on the phone I’ve never had this before ever. What can I do if I have to pay £500 to get out of this flex pay thing I’m leaving EE for good please help me 

[ste2]

So if I'm not mistaken I could take one of these new double contracts out. Or get miss-sold one like I did! sign up to a 24 month airtime time agreement and then a 36 month flex pay agreement. Is there anything stopping me from not paying the 24 month air time agreement and just going to PAYG? As long as I pay the flex pay agreement the phone is mine. Yes i know none payment for the airtime contract affects the ability to get credit. My airtime contract is separate to flex pay according to everyone on here 

I didn’t realise EE has turned into a catalogue company and offers flex pay for all these other electronic devices

My first contract I was sent to sign was my airtime contract not my flex pay contract. And despite repeated response they have don’t have my original transcript of call when I upgraded. It’s a sneaky underhand way to get you to be stuck with a phone longer than your airtime agreement. I was never offered any terms on my flex pay agreement over the phone. 

I must come across pretty stupid on this forum but I’m still at a loss of why having a 24 month phone contract is usually 24 months but it’s now 36 months well the phone bit is. 

I'm now left in a situation when I'm out of contract in January 2025 my iPhone 14plus is in excellent condition and im still owing over £500 my iPhone isn’t even worth that but I still have to pay for it for another 12 months. 

[ste2]

Every new iPhone it seems you get lumbered with it for 36 months now it seems least it shows you on there website they don’t tell you this on the phone like they did to me last year. 😩

[ste2]

 same iPhone direct from Apple is £1599

but with EE I pay a year longer and it cost me £1734.84

it’s good Business sense by EE mind I’ll give them that 

[Matt_124]

On Flex Pay agreements the device finance can be done over 24 or 36 months. You are not "lumbered with it for 36 months" on any Flex Pay plan as you have the choice to do it over 24 months instead, if you're happy to pay the additional monthly cost to pay the phone off in this time.

Still paying the same amount back over 24 or 36 months, as it is interest free.

The airtime agreement you would have the right to cancel after 24 months, you would be best speaking to EE customer services and asking them what your options are.

There may be the option to cancel it and continue paying the finance, but you're better to talk to EE about it than just stop paying as this has financial/credit implications that could be avoided.

[bristolian]

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@ste2 wrote:

Is there anything stopping me from not paying the 24 month air time agreement and just going to PAYG? As long as I pay the flex pay agreement the phone is mine. Yes i know none payment for the airtime contract affects the ability to get credit.

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Both contracts are likely to show on your credit file. Non-payment of a contractually agreed payment can eventually result in a default being registered.

You can give 30days notice to cancel a pay-monthly contract anytime, but doing so within your minimum term will require early termination fees to be paid. Effectively you'll end up paying for your airtime contract but not get any benefit from it.

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@ste2 wrote:

I’m still at a loss of why having a 24 month phone contract is usually 24 months but it’s now 36 months well the phone bit is. 

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If you try a dummy purchase of a new phone on FlexPay, you're likely to find that the choice of 24 or 36 months for the phone-loan finance agreement is something you can choose - but do try for yourself.

High-end smartphones, especially Apple ones, do come with expensive price tags.

[Matt_124]

EE provide an extended warranty beyond the standard Apple 12 month warranty and I believe this is why the cost differs.

[ste2]

You can’t take out an iphone contract with EE via flex pay that runs for 24 months it’s only 36 months go on to the EE store 

[ste2]

I’ve tried all phones iPhones Samsung’s are 36 month only not option to run in line with your airtime agreement