Not happy with replacement phone offered by orange

ed900

Hi,

I've had a Blackberry Curve 8520 on contract with Orange for just over 2 months now. I find the battery very bad and doesn't always last throughout the day. They first sent me a replacement battery and then 2 other of the same handsets to try and solve the problem; but it didn't.

So I phoned up today saying this 3rd handset is still giving me problems with the battery and they said they can offer me a replacement phone. They offered either a HTC Touch 3G or Blackberry Bold 9000 or a Blackberry 8320. These are all a lot older than my phone, the Bold 9000 for example is 1.5 years old. The guy on the phone even admitted the were old. He said the system selects available replacement phones and does it by basing it on similar specs.

I'm not happy with the replacements offered so what can I do about it? I assumed for a start the replacement would be an equivalent or probably better as for the hassle you have gone through. I'm happy with Orange in the past it's just I'm not prepared to accept a significantly worse phone so is there anyway I can get a better one? Or cancel my contract?

OneADay

The Bold 9000 is better spec than the 8520 and even the HTC seems better.

drbesty

The Bold is better spec, I'd go with that, they don't actually have to offer you anything at all, its a gesture of goodwill

dazzc

I think you would have difficulty cancelling your contract. I assume that you don't have any issues with your mobile service, ability to make calls, send texts and emails etc.
Most mobile providers make it plain their terms and conditions that the hardware (the phone) is separate to the mobile service.
I have just received a Bold 9700 from O2 and I can't believe how good the battery life is. I use my phone quite heavily and I have only charged it twice in a week.

makavelianz

I just think you might be being a bit picky, the batterys on smartphone dont last very long. How much are you getting might be an app running in the background that is draining your battery.

drbesty

They've already replaced the handset and the battery, that hasnt resolved the problem, which points to usage rather than a handset fault

ns19871987

stop complaining.. it doesnt matter if the handsets are older.. they are off better spec. the BB you have is an entry level handset. the other 2 handsets are far superior.. i would just take which ever u want.. if u want BB email than take the BB they are offering.. if not HTC is good..

also battery lasts about 1 day with lilttle use.. this is normal... i suggest if you want something that lasts longer go buy a cheap 10 pound fone which has no other features!..


the service u have recevied is very good.. and i would not complain as legally they have offered you a briliant goodwill gesture.

so i would take the BB or HTC and be happy!..

Guys_Dad

ed900 wrote: »

Hi,

I'm not happy with the replacements offered so what can I do about it? I assumed for a start the replacement would be an equivalent or probably better as for the hassle you have gone through.

I am always amazed with people who decide what phone they want without any proper research. The web has numerous sites that review phones and have customer satisfaction threads as well.

If you choose to be at the cutting edge and must have the latest phone, then you run the risk of it not coming up to scratch with your expectations.

You wouldn't expect Ford or Vauxhall to swap your car because you couldn't match the MPG, or Barratts to rehouse you because the eventual development didn't match their brochure, so I agree with the previous posters.

parallax_20

I second everyone else's opinion on this. The Bold and HTC are better spec phones! Not current but still better than what you've initially purchased.

The Bold is probably the best direct replacement for the 8520, if Blackberry is your thing or you only plan on using the built-in apps. The HTC if you want a windows mobile phone with loads of free 3rd party apps and much more flexible in customisations.

The BB 9000 is a high end business phone which you would have difficulty getting for free on any network about a year ago. So I think you've been lucky to get it offered for the same price as an entry level phone today. Even if you sold the Bold now, it would probably still fetch more than the £150 you would have paid for the BB 8520 on PAYG.

Its pretty clear what your choice should be. Good luck!

lexa34

HTC are brilliant. Orange are bringing out some new HTC handsets at the end of this month- ask about those.

watcherman

I'd go for the Bold, or use it less, my daughter lives on her 8520 and we'll get 1.5-2 days out of it...Not bad for a phone with all the functionality of a Blackberry.