Contract at 17 years old?

[Delude]

Hey there.

I want to take a contract with T-Mobile UK, however I am 17 so don't know the best way to go about this. I am employed, have my own card and would much prefer to just link my name to my bank account and not have to deal with having it under my parents name.

Could I pay the first month in advance or something as a sort of deposit?
What can I do?

Thanks

*MERGED*

 

[Lunfai]

In the UK the only way a contract can be legally binded is if you are over the age of 18. Signing a contract whilst your 17 or under for a pay monthly contract renders the contract useless. The only way you can get a contract phone is if you use get your parents to sign there name on and you give them the money each month whilst they give you the phone.

//A 13 year old can have a debit card, doesn't mean they can just get a contract like that, a job is a just a job.

 

[Delude]

I have read so many mixed stories though, some people paying for the month in advance when under 18, some getting their parents to sign as a 'backup' so that the money would be taken from there if not possible, and other similar variations.

A 13 year old may well be able to get a debit card, but I can prove that I am in a stable job with an income which can easily pay the price per month.

 

[Bhav]

Lunfai is right.

However, you should be able to transfer a contract into your name once you turn 18 (you may have to wait till renewal though).

 

[Bhav]

A 13 year old may well be able to get a debit card, but I can prove that I am in a stable job with an income which can easily pay the price per month.

That's irrelevant. You're under 18, which means a contract signed by you is meaningless if they had to come after you for money.

 

[detroid]

Not sure what the laws are in the UK, but I know in the U.S. someone under the age of 18 cannot legally enter into a binding contract.

 

[Delude]

It's so bloody annoying! I don't want money going from my parents account though, I am paid into MY account. I could even pay the whole contract up front if that makes them trust me more. (Is this possible?)

 

[mat]

It's so bloody annoying! I don't want money going from my parents account though, I am paid into MY account. I could even pay the whole contract up front if that makes them trust me more. (Is this possible?)

It's 100% impossible sorry, been there, done that, got the T-Shirt - you'll have to wait until your 18.

 

[Delude]

So I couldn't even give them

 

[Lunfai]

You're fighting a lost battle, there not going to make exceptions just for you, it doesn't work that way. Sort something out or just go PAYG.

 

[Delude]

You're fighting a lost battle, there not going to make exceptions just for you, it doesn't work that way. Sort something out or just go PAYG.

Fair enough I guess, I will just switch from O2 to T-Mobile PAYG and spend ****ing ridiculous amounts on the internet for a G2 eh? Sounds fair right?

 

[Lunfai]

Live with it. Tenner a month isn't that bad, if you've switched on the TV you can get unlimited text and web for just a tenner topup per month? It's not THAT bad.

 

[Delude]

Live with it. Tenner a month isn't that bad, if you've switched on the TV you can get unlimited text and web for just a tenner topup per month? It's not THAT bad.

It is when you have to pay

 

[mat]

Have Merged both your threads on this subject, and as has been stated, theres nothing you can do unfortunately, wait until you are 18 or work something out with your parents.

 

[Bhav]

So I couldn't even give them

 

[Delude]

Have Merged both your threads on this subject, and as has been stated, theres nothing you can do unfortunately, wait until you are 18 or work something out with your parents.

If I did work something out, then would all the bills etc still go to my parents? Would it be them who are contacted regarding upgrades etc? Also, do you know if it is possible to switch ownership over to me when I AM 18?

 

[Delude]

Of course not!

What if you go over your mins/text allowance? The

 

[mat]

If I did work something out, then would all the bills etc still go to my parents? Would it be them who are contacted regarding upgrades etc? Also, do you know if it is possible to switch ownership over to me when I AM 18?

When you are 18 you can't completely swap ownership of the contract no, but details can be changed to allow you to be able to ring up without having to get your parents to confirm its ok to talk to you first, if you know what I mean?

They would indeed be contacted with regards to upgrades and the bills would be in their name.

 

[Lunfai]

I'm on a high horse?, Seriously if you can't afford a tenner a month don't bother getting such an expensive phone to begin with. High horse? no, it's common sense, it seems to me your spending money that could be more useful in other things.

 

[Bhav]

If I did work something out, then would all the bills etc still go to my parents? Would it be them who are contacted regarding upgrades etc? Also, do you know if it is possible to switch ownership over to me when I AM 18?

You may not like my replies (for whatever reason), but I answered your question about ownership before you even asked it.

For upgrades etc...it's easy to call them and say you're speaking on behalf of your Mum/Dad. They ask to confirm some security details, after which you can say what you need to say.

 

[Delude]

I'm on a high horse?, Seriously if you can't afford a tenner a month don't bother getting such an expensive phone to begin with. High horse? no, it's common sense, it seems to me your spending money that could be more useful in other things.

Of course I can afford a tenner a month, it's common sense that it works out far more expensive to buy the sim free phone and then pay a tenner a month for it!

 

[mat]

Don't start flaming please, otherwise a mod will just end up coming along and give out infraction points as an early xmas present!

 

[Delude]

Don't start flaming please, otherwise a mod will just end up coming along and give out infraction points as an early xmas present!

I'm not flaming, please read my above post, does that not make more sense?

 

[mat]

I'm not flaming, please read my above post, does that not make more sense?

It wasn't aimed at anyone specific, just a general warning.

 

[Delude]

Could I get a few opinions on what you think the best option for me would be?

Thanks guys, and sorry for sounding like such a bitch