Carphone Warehouse - making inaccurate claims?

HelenManchester

I'm one of those people who spends too much on mobile phones and have been with the same provider for a decade - but I've been concerned by two recent incidents. I would appreciate thoughts on whether the advice I've been given is accurate / fair.

I'm with carphone warehouse. My contract is up next month and I got a phone call offering an early upgrade. I said that I wanted an HTC desire - I'm not usually one for the newest handset, but I thought I would try for once. The call centre operative said that I should get the Wildfire as it was "newer" and "better". I said I didn't know that model and asked if the screen size was as big as the Desire. He replied that the screen was a massive size and then gave some figures, but didn't answer whether it was the size of the Desire. I asked if it would do everything that the Desire would - he said it was "newer and better". I asked if it had an accelerometer because I mainly want the phone for the internet. He said it did. I wasn't sure about it, so I ended the call and checked online. According to Carphone Warehouse's own website the Wildfire has less memory, a smaller screen size, no accelerometer and is basically a lower-end machine than the Desire. I feel that the call centre operative was being deliberately misleading to give me a cheaper phone.

So I went to a shop and asked how to end my contract, as I am ashamed to say I have been with Carphone Warehouse since the 90s and can't remember. He said that I had CANCEL IN WRITING! A month in advance! I went to a competitor and he said that was nonsense and I just needed to turn up with my port code and they could cancel.

I feel really cross with Carphone Warehouse. I'm one of these daft people who will pay a bit extra if I think that the service is good and honest. It looks to me that Carphone Warehouse is lying to me at various levels.

Am I expecting to much? Have I got the wrong end of the stick?

I would appreciate people's thoughts.

Guys_Dad

You made the mistake of asking to cancel your contract. The clue was in what the other reseller said about the "port code" or what is better known as the PAC code.

You get that from the network and the only time - others will correct me if I am wrong - you need to involve CPW would be if you actually were on an old CPW/O2 contract whereby CPW were actually the billing company rather than O2 direct.

So, establish that first, then ring the network that bills you and ask for the PAC code or, if you are happy with them, as long as it isn't the old CPW/O2 contract, ask them for a deal.

Better still - check out your needs as far as the minutes/texts/internet you require monthly then look at the sim-only deals from the networks. Then look at the cost of the phone you want if you bought it PAYG and then do the arithmetic over 18 months. Also check the horror stories of MSE members whose state of the art gizmos don't work properly and the problem they have trying for a replacement when it is attached to a 18-month or 2-year airtime contract !!