Mislead by comparison site? What can I do

Lum

So I wanted an HTC Desire Z and a big data allowance. I went through http://www.mobilephonechecker.co.uk/mobile-contract-deals/ and chose the T-Mobile Web 600 tarrif which states 600 minutes, 500 texts and 3GB of data, via e2save.com

The e2save site simply states "unlimited" data.

In reality my data allowance is 500MB which is crap, especially on an Android phone, though apparently this only applies to downloads, not to browsing, which I guess is how they get away with it.


My question is, where do I go from here. I really like the phone and don't want to get rid of it, but what can I do about the crappy data allowance. Are the listings on comparison sites counted as adverts and thus e2save have been false advertising, or is the comparison site a best effort thing that scrapes the sites.

Rusty!

Seems like the comparison site is out of date, T-Mobile dropped their data allowance from 3Gb to 500Mb on 1st February.

Tony5101

I've just clicked on the e2save link that you provided. I've gone straight to checkout, and on this page I've looked at the 'more information' that they provide - immediately next to the tariff information, and all of the info regarding the data FUP is there.
Unfortunately it looks like you may have got a bit trigger happy with the mouse button, without doing all of the complete research about what you were getting yourself into.
If it's any consolation - I've used android phones for the best part of 2 years now - and once the initial novelty of the phone wears off - I've very rarely gone anywhere near the 500mb limit.
I don't really think that you've got any comeback against either site to be honest, as all of the tariff information is there.

Exhortation

Mobilephonechecker.co.uk's disclaimer...

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Adsar Ltd and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Adsar Ltd. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, Adsar Ltd takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.

Seems pretty clear cut (and reasonable) to me.

Lum

Well I just had a nice online chat with a T-Mobile rep, which I've kept and also had emailed to me. If what she said is correct It's probably not going to be an issue. Anyone know if this is binding?

T-Mobile wrote:

You are about to be connected to a new connection sales advisor for T-Mobile UK. Please note they do not have access to existing customer details and cannot process upgrades or queries related to an existing T-Mobile account. If you have a query of this nature please contact customer services on 0845 412 5000 or 150 from a T-Mobile handset..
You are now connected with Ruth.
Ruth: Hi there, my name is Ruth. I am part of the dedicated T-Mobile Online Sales Team. How can I help you with your new order?
Me: Can you answer a few questions about your "unlimited" internet?
Ruth: I will certainly help you with that
Me: It's limited to 500MB for "downloads" but there is not a clear definition of that term
Me: For example if I buy and MP3 off Amazon, that would obviously be a download
Me: but suppose someone emails me that same MP3 and my phone grabs the email, does that count as browsing or download?
Ruth: I will explain that to you
Me: ok
Ruth: You get unlimited Browsing like sending mails, browse webpage etc and 500 MB for videos, music etc
Me: yes, I read that bit. I'm more concerned about how you differentiate between the two. For example if I opened an SSH connection to my server, is that browsing or download?
Ruth: That will be counted as Browsing
Me: and a big file arriving in the email also counts as browsing?
Ruth: yes, you are right
Me: but something like SCP would be download?
Ruth: I am sorry I did not get you, could you please explain SCP?
Me: it's basically the same as SSH but it does file transfers
Ruth: That will be counted as Browsing
Me: so do you just monitor for specific sites then, youtube, android market etc..
Ruth: yes youtube and videos streaming will be counted as download
Me: and any other file, from any other random site, counts as browsing, even stuff like WindowsUpdate?
Ruth: Yes unless you don't download any file
Me: sorry, could you clarify that?
Ruth: Your allowance are included only when you download any file or anything like videos etc
Me: but Windows updates would be ok?
Ruth: yes that will be counted as browsing
Me: ok that is great. Thank you for your advice.
Ruth: My pleasure
Ruth: Is there anything else I can help you with today ?
Me: no, that is fine, thank you.
Ruth: Thank you for chatting with us. Have a nice day!
Ruth: Thank you for chatting with us.You can rate my services at the end of this chat by simply clicking the 'End Chat' button.
Ruth: Please mark me excellent, if you liked my service by clicking on END CHAT button
Ruth: Bye
Your chat transcript will be sent to ************* at the end of your chat.
Ruth: take care ******

FWIW, I used to fly dangerously close to my 1GB limit with my N900 on Orange, but Orange counted everything, not just this vaguely defined "downloads" term.

Rusty!

I hate it when the CSR's try to tell you there is a difference between browsing and downloading. Data is data. When you browse, you download stuff to the phone. Don't take any stock in that at all.

F_T_Buyer

I fail to see how they could possible identify between the two? The only way is if the monitored connections to specific websites, like you tube, but they cannot monitor every website out there.

I think she is wrong, I would email that transcript to their helpdesk and ask for clarification.

BillScarab

If you use twitter follow TMobileUKhelp and then send them a direct message. They're very helpful. They sorted out an issue I had in minutes after I'd tried calling the helpdesk three times and got nowhere.

Lum

The website has the same terms as what the sales rep said. Unlimited browsing, 500MB downloads.

Worst case scenario, for an extra 7 quid a month I can bump it up to 1GB then it's back how I was with orange, only still with the unlimited "browsing". Just means I'm paying as much as when I was with Orange too.

I too wonder how they are determining the difference. I mean it would be fairly easy to detect it on a per-site basis (e.g. YouTube) but how can they tell the difference between me browsing articles on, say, Microsoft Technet and me downloading a 4GB ISO of Windows 7 from that same site?

JJ_Egan

Its simply wrong Unlimited Browsing as all data up or down is data no matter what format its in .

Badly trained CSC in what is a simple basic stable of internet use for all .

jje

Rusty!

You do tend to find that data uploaded doesn't count towards the quota though.