When cancelling air time, always state nil reception as the reason.

The trouble is, the T&C state 30 days notice and after the required period. Most networks regard the required period to be the term of the contract. I have never heard of a provider allowing people to terminate their contract (except for reception issues etc)
The cooling off period is for anything sold remotely or for cold calling.
http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/how-to-cancel-a-contract-without-being-penalised

I used the online chat with O2 initially, without ever inserting the SIM. I was told to insert the SIM as part of the unlocking process. Since I was under the impression that I would be able to claim the first month back anyway, I went ahead. It was only at the point of cancelling the Airtime, that I was told otherwise. Because of this, I did not try to obtain any other O2 SIM to register the phone, which would've left my SIM unconnected.

I believe the cooling off period applies to the device only, and not the Airtime, which will always require 30 days notice to cancel whether the SIM is used or not. If anyone knows this to not be the case, and finds it on the T&C, I would appreciate it.

If your process works its a great deal
HOWEVER.
Can I get an unlock code by completing the online form WITHOUT inserting the SIM? The Distance selling act allows a 14 day cooling off period (which ensures recovery of the first month) but only if the connection has not been activated - so I'd rather not receive the code by text which is how their instructions indicate it is delivered.

.
Just a guess, but the DSA allows a 14 day cooling off period. This would over-ride the T&C. HOWEVER, if you insert SIM, you've used their service so, I cannot see any way out of paying first month as DSA requires return of goods in same condition as supplied which you would not be able to satisfy

Where can you buy it for £500? Its £650 unless you buy the G8142 Far Eastern variant in which case you may have warranty issues and it can have frequency issues on some networks abroad. Show me a UK/EU model G8141 for under £600?

To confirm, I received my XZ Premium, and it was locked to O2. For O2 to unlock it, I needed to insert the SIM, and it will take up to 7 days to get the unlock code.
I then phoned O2 to pay off the Device Plan and cancel the Airtime Plan. They said I WILL have to pay the first month, as per the 30 days notice in the T&C. I found this section that backs that up...

" 3. Your Minimum Period - Your Pay Monthly Mobile Agreement has a minimum term called a Minimum Period. After that Minimum Period, you can end the Agreement by giving us 30 days' Notice and you will have to pay Charges during this notice period. Unless specified otherwise (such as in your Tariff Terms), if you want to end the Agreement during the Minimum Period or we end this Agreement as a result of your material breach, then you will have to pay a fee of no more than your Monthly Subscription Charges multiplied by the number of months left in your Minimum Period and if you've taken Equipment on a Device Plan, you will have to pay for it in full. Details are in paragraph 8 of the Agreement. "

...but Crossbow managed a refund. Is there a specific part of the T&C which allows me the refund, if I never make any calls and texts using the SIM? If not, that's £19 that should be added to the price of this deal (for mandatory '30 days of 1GB Airtime Plan').

Yes, as you've fully paid off the Device part. When you cancel the Airtime, it's completely cancelled, so there is nothing further to pay.

At most, you may get charged the 1st month Airtime, especially if you use the SIM to call, text, etc. If you don't use it at all, they'll usually refund you the 1st month in full, or you can request for it to be refunded later if it doesn't happen automatically. Worked out for me this way on a past deal - I didn't even put their SIM in the phone. You may need to put the SIM in the phone though, to register the device for the unlock code - ask them.


The phone & SIM arrive together, so immediately request the unlock code, pay off the remainder of the Device (if applicable) & cancel Airtime in that order - i.e. all of the above on the day you receive the package.

Also, specifically request them to send you an email to confirm you've paid off the Device plan in full & also cancelled the Airtime - this is so everything's in writing & can be used if there are any future disputes.


If you view that carefully, it only pays off the Device part in full at the point of sale. No monthly payments here either, as you're going to be cancelling the Airtime part by calling them - assuming you still want to get the phone for £429.99 outright & use your own SIM & contract from your current network.

Also must read if you'll be applying for a loan or similar for anything else in the next few months: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/phones/2014/10/beware-split-tariff-mobile-contracts-if-youre-about-to-apply-for-credit

Just so you have prior warning. At times, they mess it all up & send you a gigantic bill & debit your account after a few months claiming that you needed to pay for the device & airtime, etc. This is where that confirmation email (everything's in writing) comes in useful. This kind of situation can leave one's bank account in the red or having to pay expensive overdraft fees or months getting them to refund the money, which they will eventually. Just take these into consideration when doing this type of deal.

I just want to be certain.
I buy the phone, unlock it using the o2 app, pay off the full device plan and then cancel the airtime plan and I will only be charged for the phone? Also how soon after receiving the sim can I cancel the airtime plan?
And I see there is an option on the o2 site to pay for the phone in full from the get go so that your only monthly bill would be the airtime plan, will this method still work? It seems like it makes it easier ( you don't have to call o2 and ask to pay off the device plan because you've already done it).

OP, why are details & price of the airtime plan mentioned in the thread title when one is going to cancel it immediately?

Thank you for your help

If you're contemplating paying an O2 tariff for 6 months to get the cashback and then to cancel, here's what they all cost after factoring the cashback. Every month after the first 6 months WILL COST MORE.

24m device plan @ £17/m for £21.99 upfront
500MB: £32/m, £60 TCBTariff: £15 x 6 = £90£30/6 = £5.00/mEDIT: This option is £31.99 upfront, for a total of £439.99 for the device. Do not pick.
1GB: £36/m, £80 TCBTariff: £19 x 6 = £114£34/6 = £5.67/m
3GB: £39/m, £80 TCBTariff: £22 x 6 = £132£52/6 = £8.67/m
5GB: £43/m, £95 TCBTariff: £26 x 6 = £156£61/6 = £10.17/m
10GB: £47/m, £105 TCBTariff: £30 x 6 = £180£75/6 = £12.50/m
20GB: £50/m, £105 TCBTariff: £33 x 6 = £198£93/6 = £15.50/m
30GB: £55/m, £105 TCBTariff: £38 x 6 = £228£123/6 = £20.50/m

24m device plan @ £12/m for £141.99 upfront
500MB: £27/m, £50 TCBTariff: £15 x 6 = £90£40/6 = £6.67/m
1GB: £31/m, £60 TCBTariff: £19 x 6 = £114£54/6 = £9.00/m
3GB: £34/m, £60 TCBTariff: £22 x 6 = £132£72/6 = £12.00/m
5GB: £38/m, £80 TCBTariff: £26 x 6 = £156£76/6 = £12.67/m
10GB: £42/m, £95 TCBTariff: £30 x 6 = £180£85/6 = £14.17/m
20GB: £45/m, £105 TCBTariff: £33 x 6 = £198£93/6 = £15.50/m
30GB: £50/m, £105 TCBTariff: £38 x 6 = £228£123/6 = £20.50/m

The tariff cost is £19/m (£36 total with the device plan).
If you cancelled after 6 months, the tariff cost would amount to £114.
Take £80 TCB off that, and it's £34.

So, £5.66/m for 1GB, unlimited calls and texts when factoring cashback.

...If anyone fancied that option.

TopCashback:
"Please note - Cashback is not paid on iPhone 7 Plus orders. Cashback will also NOT be paid to O2 customers who pay off or cancel a Refresh PAYM contract before the 6 month validation period is completed."

Quidco:
"Cashback will only be paid on contracted devices if the plan is active for at least 6 months"

Shame. Understandable, but a shame.

1gb.. lol.

Thanks - will order tonight and contact Vodafone in morning!
Much appreciated :sunglasses:

It's easy to port your number

Ring Vodafone customer services and speak to cancellation department, ask for your PAC code.

Once you have your PAC code, ring up o2 customer services (once you have your phone from o2) and give them the code

It takes upto 24 48 hours for the whole process to be done

Hope that helped you out :smile:

Seems a great deal, the handset is £500 on its own.

How easy is it to port my number from Vodafone across to O2 to get this deal?

Am out of contract and need a new handset :-)

O2 like to 'forget' how refresh works, they're also great at helping themselves to your money. Otherwise, refresh is a good way of getting a cheap phone, just be prepared to do some work. Heated, though phone is too small for me. :smiley:

Ugly Phone!

Looks like a Chopping board with a built in display.

Sounds a good deal, however, the phone is too big for me. Massive slab it is. Sony, please lose them big bezels!!