Phones for you misold contract?

lauripops

Hi,

I smashed my phone 2 weeks ago and found out my insurance had run out. So I popped into Phones for you and asked them to tell me when my contract was due for renewal. They said I could upgrade in November with o2, my current supplier. However they then said that I could upgrade there and then if I changed network and they would buy out the remaining month on the o2 contract. They said all I had to do was call and 'authorise' it with o2. It seemed legitimate, saying it was common practice and lots choose to upgrade early this way, so I agreed and signed for a new contract and phone.

So I was without a phone until the weekend when the new phone arrived in store. I collected, signed and took it home and this morning I rang o2 to 'authorise' orange/phones for you buying out the last month of contract. They said no such thing exists and that phones for you are notorious for doing this. Im afraid I had no clue, I admit I was probably naieve and should have asked more questions but the girl in the store was adament that this is typical practice.

O2 have said I have to pay this month and next, and will be able to cancel in November. They suggested calling phones to you and complaining I had been misold, as have lots of others according to o2.

Anyone else experienced this? I feel like a prize idiot this morning!

OneADay

Best thing to do for now I guess would be to make sure the O2 contract ends in November, remember to give 30 day notice prior to the end date (or tell them to turn that number to pay and go at end of contract).

As for phones4u, guess a good letter of complaint to their head office explaining what happened and what O2 have said as well. Might be worth trying to get the name of their CEO or something (dont know myself).

OneADay

Phones 4u Ltd
Osprey House
Ore Close
Lymedale Business Park
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Staffordshire
ST5 9QD

You can also complain to trading standards, at least you have some backing from O2 on this (be it verbal).

lauripops

Thanks very much, a strongly worded letter will be winging its way to them by this afternoon!

Luckily my o2 contract is little more than £10 a month, so its not a massive amount to have to pay out, but the fact p4u seem to do this on a daily basis is more than a little bit worrying!

Thats the last time I let my insurance lapse, thats for sure!

Thanks again

OneADay

If you have home insurance, you can check if that covers damage to mobile (so you may not need two sets of insurance).

As for strongly worded letter - its best to keep it clear and concise, give them exact details of things and in conclusion say you have been let down. Remember to mention where you got the contract from (i.e. store) and who the person was handling it (even if its first name only).

Same for Trading Standards - you can contact them online or via phone http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/

esuhl

Phones 4 U tried to get me to sign a piece of paper allowing them to sell my data to a third party. Then they fraudulently offered me a "12 month contract" that was actually for 18 months. When I queried this, they said, "Oh, the paperwork says 18 months, but no one has a phone that long any more. Just give us a call after a year and we'll cancel the contract and give you a new one if you want." They also said that they would buy me out of my existing contract.

Fortunately I could see what a bunch of cowboys Phones4U are and ran a mile! I am amazed that the shop staff do not have a greater fear of being sued.

stejobeth

I was in Phones 4 U last week just having a look at the new phones. Told them I was just looking cause I've still got 6 months left on my contract and they told me that anything under that time they would buy out. I'm glad I have seen this cause I was considering doing it. Thanks.

izools

If Phones4U offer to buy out an existing contract, ask them for the cash / cheque.

I went into Phones4U a long time ago (three years?) and they sent a £150 cheque to me after the two week cooling off period lapsed.

They should still be doing it this way, as you've found out any other way is a load of bull.

mobilejunkie

It's a bit late if they DON'T send you the cheque - no difference at all to what has happened here i.e. they made an oral promise which they didn't honour. As always, what is important is that you get it in writing - whether ordering in a shop, on the internet or by phone - BEFORE you commit to anything.