Carphone Warehouse Loyalty SimCard

Mon

Hi,

I wonder if you could advise me please.

I had a contract with CW for a mobile on the 02 network. This contract expired in 2007 and I said I didnt want a new phone and I didnt want to renew any contract.

They then offered me a 12 month FREE sim card from their Loyalty team to "keep me as a customer". (400min / 250 txt) The contract was for 12 months and it was £30 per month but they would credit my account so I would be in credit for the whole 12 months and not have to pay anything.

I never used the sim, in month 10 they called and said I could "upgrade". I told them I had not used the sim and therfore I would like to cancel. They offered me a better deal - 600 min / 1000 text - I thought I would use the phone for all my texting so I agreed to a new 18 month contract but paying £9.47 per month. This was a £30 per month contract but they would credit my account enough to cover £20 each month. Again I did not use the sim !!!!

I am now at the end of my 18 month £9.47 contract (ended in Oct) but they have just sent me a bill for £30.00. I rang to ask them why and they said its because I upgraded my account in month 10 of my last agreement (with the free sim) They wont let me cancel until this is paid and apparently I am due another same bill next month.

To summarise:-

I had Free Sim (£30 per month) Credit on account by them to cover it for 12 month.

Upgraded to 18 month contract (£30 per month) but paid £9.47 per month, the rest covered by them in credit.

Because I upgraded my first contract in month 10 they now want the payment for the 2 months from that period.

Even though the ONLY reason I accepted both contracts was because in the first instance it was free and in the second it was very cheap.

Is this:-

1. Legal
2. Moral
3. Scam
4. Me being tight?

Your advice would be most appreciated. If you think I am correct to feel miffed - advice on what to do please.

Thanks

Mon

P.S I upgraded in month 10 of the fist contract because THEY called me and said I was eligable for an upgrade.

mobilejunkie

It's them being completely and utterly dishonest as always. This is a very common problem and one well documented on this site. I very much doubt there's much you can do about it. Without anything in writing to prove that they did not explain the so-called upgrade would kick in before the last one ended. You could (in writing) make a formal complaint insisting that you weren't told and demanding they produce the tape of the relevant conversation at the time they called you, but it will be a hard fight with limited chance of success. With any deal offered by this organisations and its minions it's essential to get the offer clearly in writing beforehand - something they are most unlikley to provide for obvious reasons. This is (remember) the same organisation which does everything it can to prevent you legitimately giving notice to cancel in time for th end of the contract and who cblatantly lie about needing a "disconnection code" to do so. They are completely disreputable and dishonest so I do sympathise - if nothing else it may be (yet another) warning to others to avoid this company or (at least) get everything in writing clearly beforehand. "Moral" is not a word they care for - and often they disregard "legal" to the last point at which they can get away with it.

All cpw companies should come with an honesty and truth warning.

jizadine

I think I am in a similar situation but I have been on a chequeback deal for 2 previous contracts. The way I understand it is they offer an "upgrade", but the contract deal runs for the full term.

It's all very confusing (especially on a chequeback deal) I rang them last night because I knew that my 18th (claim) month bill is due in January and although I am entitled to upgrade from Jan my contract still runs to March. So, my claims are out of kilter with my contract but it still runs for 18 months as per the length of the contract(s).

J

Mon

Thanks for your feedback.
I think I will write them a letter.