(Phones 4 U / Vodafone) Do I have enough to make them end contract?

John_Smiths · 21 March 2011 at 6:40PM

Hi, I took out a contract with Vodafone via P4U on the 10th march. I can't get a signal at my home on Vodafone, and they (P4U) never did a coverage check.
I went in today to discuss this with them (I've been busy at work, haven't been able to get in beforehand), they tell me the only option I have is to change tariff and possibly service provider (which are all more expensive, Vodafone were the cheapest for this model).

They also tell me there's no "cooling off period", but; the contract between myself and Phones 4 U clearly states;

Refunds & Exchanges:
Contract handsets may be refunded within 14 days of the date of sale if the network coverage is considered too poor at the customers contractual address and no alternative network agreement can be established. Cancellation is subject to network provider approval.

A note on the "no alternative network agreement can be established"; I'm not paying more money.

I didn't have the contract with me today as I was hoping they'd be able to help me, so I didn't raise the issue with them.

I've rung Vodafone customer services (Who were very helpful and fully understanding, as well as fully co-operative) who have left a note on my account stating they deem the coverage in my area very poor and approve a cancellation of the contract.

So basically, is this going to be enough to put at least a dent in the never ending grins of the lying Phones 4 U staff?
Will this be enough to force them to allow me to leave the contract?

The phone is in perfect condition (screen protector/case protector since day 1) as well as the box and all appendages.

So is it enough?

Thanks

PNPSUKNET · 21 March 2011 at 6:43PM

cant you get a signal sure box?

John_Smiths · 21 March 2011 at 6:44PM

PNPSUKNET wrote: »

cant you get a signal sure box?

I don't have broadband, I discussed this with Vodafone customer services, so no, sadly not.

macman · 21 March 2011 at 7:08PM

The contract looks clear enough in your favour. Bur why didn't you check the coverage before you took the contract out and avoid all this hassle?

John_Smiths · 21 March 2011 at 7:28PM

macman wrote: »

The contract looks clear enough in your favour. Bur why didn't you check the coverage before you took the contract out and avoid all this hassle?

I assumed they would have done a check, but they confirmed to me today that they didn't, which Vodafone apologised for, but P4U didn't.

macman · 21 March 2011 at 10:17PM

But it's your job as the customer to check this, or to make sure they do it for you. Their only interest is in selling you a phone contract.

Jonno71 · 21 March 2011 at 10:24PM

I got P4U to check the network in my area before agreeing to my recent contract. They said it was very good, which in reality is very poor. Two weeks on and I'm still in dispute with P4U and T-Mobile, even though T-Mobile have expressed poor signals in my area.

John_Smiths · 22 March 2011 at 8:21AM

macman wrote: »

But it's your job as the customer to check this, or to make sure they do it for you. Their only interest is in selling you a phone contract.

Then they've ruined it for themselves by including the 14 days to cancel due to coverage.

Guys_Dad · 22 March 2011 at 9:02AM

John_Smiths wrote: »

Then they've ruined it for themselves by including the 14 days to cancel due to coverage.

It seems that their t&c put you in the clear, if they are as you quote. The P4U t&c are what counts.

On the matter of coverage, you can not abdicate responsibility for not checking. In the end, it is up to you to protect yourself. And coverage charts are only an indication, not a guarantee as black spots arise in all areas.

So on your right under the t&c, I am with you 100% and take a copy in and make a fuss if they get difficult.

On the matter of "they should have checked", unless you are a great believer in the "Nanny state" and no personal culpability, you did not do sufficient personal research.

macman · 22 March 2011 at 9:47AM

John_Smiths wrote: »

Then they've ruined it for themselves by including the 14 days to cancel due to coverage.

I fully agree, but a check by the OP would have avoided all the hassle.
If P4U are still proving intransigent, I should make sure that you put a rejection of the contract for the reasons given in writing to them before the cooling-off period expires.

giraffe69 · 22 March 2011 at 10:37AM

I tried Phones4U when getting a new phone recently(never again) and ended up at the vodafone shop. I found the salesman in Phones4U vacant, not knowledgeable and only wanted to put me in the box that suited him best as opposed to the vodafone salesman who went out of his way to help.