Are 3's iPhones reconditioned????

manicdeb

T-Mobile told me yesterday that the reason 3 offer much better deals on iPhones compared to the other networks is that it tells you in the small print that the phones are reconditioned!

Has anyone else heard this or know if its true?

chrisbake

Every network will tell you this about another networks iPhone's. Vodafone (beep-be-beep-beep-beep) told me that Tesco Mobiles deals were so good because they were reconditioned - checked with Tesco Mobile and they confirmed it was a complete lie. Vodafone even told me they sold the iPhone to Tesco Mobile!!!

mtm990553

Only the iPhone 4's sold on their website are reconditioned (or 'refreshed' as they have been brnaded).

All iPhones sold in their stores are brand new stock.

manicdeb

mtm990553 wrote: »

Only the iPhone 4's sold on their website are reconditioned (or 'refreshed' as they have been brnaded).

All iPhones sold in their stores are brand new stock.

Yes I've just had that confirmed by them thank you

jenniewb

I get the feeling they all lie when trying to retain customers. On my attempt to leave 3 this time, I was told that other mobile tarrifs lie about internet usage and overcharge for what you use, make up data amounts and then charge (this is an actual quote) £10 for every minute you go over your minutes if you join 02.

I just laughed this guy out of any conversation, how stupid did he think I was?!

EdW_2

All Call Centres do it, retention is a cut-throat business.

Incidentally what the guy at 3 told you, albeit clumsily, is sort of correct.

3 is I believe the only network to offer unlimited data - which is genuinely that - no limits. Whereas the other networks offer the same (like O2) with a fair usage policy, usually 5GB, and it's incredibly expensive if you go over, and costs a small fortune. I've done it in the past, and you'll see a bill skyrocket to £100s in no time - especially if you have a phone with apps like e-mail and facebook running in the background!

There's nothing worse in any field with "unlimited" (with a star next to it). If it's unlimited, it's unlimited. If it's not, then don't frikking put it in an advert!!

Exhortation

EdW wrote: »

3 is I believe the only network to offer unlimited data - which is genuinely that - no limits. Whereas the other networks offer the same (like O2) with a fair usage policy, usually 5GB, and it's incredibly expensive if you go over, and costs a small fortune. I've done it in the past, and you'll see a bill skyrocket to £100s in no time - especially if you have a phone with apps like e-mail and facebook running in the background!

I've never known a 5gb FUP. On very old contracts, FUPs tended to be 100, 250 or 500mb. Now, they tend to be 500mb, 750mb, 1gb or (if you're really lucky) 2gb. The exceptions to these are Three's One Plan (truly unlimited) and T-Mobile's Android allowance, which was 3gb but I don't even know if that is available to new customers anymore.

Exhortation

mtm990553 wrote: »

Only the iPhone 4's sold on their website are reconditioned (or 'refreshed' as they have been brnaded).

All iPhones sold in their stores are brand new stock.

Only the 16gb ones are "refreshed". The 32gb is brand new.

EdW_2

Exhortation wrote: »

I've never known a 5gb FUP. On very old contracts, FUPs tended to be 100, 250 or 500mb. Now, they tend to be 500mb, 750mb, 1gb or (if you're really lucky) 2gb. The exceptions to these are Three's One Plan (truly unlimited) and T-Mobile's Android allowance, which was 3gb but I don't even know if that is available to new customers anymore.

guess that proves the point then. The bloke from 3 was a bit clumsy, but effectively right - go over unlimited and you get hammered!

Wintermute

EdW wrote: »

Whereas the other networks offer the same (like O2) with a fair usage policy, usually 5GB, and it's incredibly expensive if you go over, and costs a small fortune. I've done it in the past, and you'll see a bill skyrocket to £100s in no time - especially if you have a phone with apps like e-mail and facebook running in the background!

There's so many things wrong with that statement!

1. O2 no longer offer unlimited data
2. For their unlimited data packages there's no set amount for their FUP, it comes into effect when your usage effects other customers
3. Again, in your example O2 you're making things up (do you work for retentions?), your internet is cut off if you go over the FUP. With newer tariffs that include the set allowances you'll have your speed throttled, but again, no overage.
4. Facebook and email use very little data and certainly wouldn't put you over one of the newer allowances without trying. I have both, along with Google calendar, contacts, reader & twitter syncing 24/7 and I very rarely go over 500mb and that's with me uploading a lot of photos and downloading a lot of apps.

EdW_2

You're splitting hairs though.

My point is still the same. Other networks' unlimited data is not unlimited. I wasn't aware O2 stopped your allowance when you hit a limit. Perhaps O2 don't charge you, but Orange do/have in the past (they have charged me).

I don't work for retentions or have any preference for any networks, merely stating from experience. I have had trouble with "unlimited" tariffs in the past, as have friends - 5gb may be fine, but I have run work e-mails from a handset (I get at least 100 a day), opened attachments on quick office daily, and that drains it very fast.

Throw in some internet browsing, android downloads, download some MP3s, watch you tube, watch a couple of things on I-Player and it's soon gone.