constant problems with mobile...can you help

building

i bought a nokia phone through carphone warehouse in january 2005 but have had nothing but constant problems with it including text and phone messages not getting through to people and the phone itself breaking down now for the 3rd time. being a mum iwth a young toddler i find this puts me in a very difficult situation . what would people recommend? they say that i have to go down to one of the carphone warehouses for the 3rd time and within 48 hours they will give me a reconditioned phone - not only putting me out for that time but also i have to go down there with my daughter and they will not provide a new phoen (they say this is company policy).
i have said that i have had to use my partner's phone lately until it is fixed. this has pushed the limit on my partner's phone. with all this they only say the maximum they can compensate is £20. i think this is a joke considering that is nearly costs us this for the 3 times we have had to go back and forth to the shop.
there have been other problems too. too many to list. has anyone else had any problems like this? any recommendations on best step forward. oh and by the way they have just this afternoon cut my partner's phone off because we have gone over the limit on his phone so am now without a single mobile workign when we only call them to notify them yesterday afternoon and have always been regular payers!!!

bluezone

WHat network are you with and is it contract? On contract with vodafone and you phone them up and explain the situation and they offer a next day exchange service - you give their courier your phone and they swap you for a reconditioned (almost new) phone for free.