Am I stuck!?

k212

A certain phone company has mis-sold a contract to me, and to sum it up, they have now advised that there is nothing I can do about it!

I'll try and keep this as brief as possible. I called the network as asked when I would be available for an upgrade, as my handset was playing up. They told me that I had a while to go, but because I had the current contract for almost 12 months, I could purchase a new contract to run alongside the one I am currently paying in order to get a new handset and a new cheaper deal. My current contract contract was costing me 35 quid a month. They told me I could reduce it down to 12.50 per month and take out a 2nd contract at 22.00 get a shiney new phone, then exchange numbers - therefore I would be able to keep my number, get a new blower all for pretty much what I was already paying.
I thought new partner could use the other contract, as he only had a pay as you go. The sales advisor told me, that I would be able to 'downgrade' my original package to 12.50 next month (as that is when the contract reached it's 12th month) I double checked I wouldn't recieve any additional charges and that I WOULD be able to keep my original number as it's printed on all my business cards.

So My new phone arrives. I stupidly put my current sim card in and start to use it, a couples of weeks later I contact the network to sort out the changes agreed.
Firstly I was told in order to downgrade I'd be required to pay a fee?
And now it had reached september, the 12.50 per month was no longer available and the new contract is 17.00 per month!!
Not only that, but I am also unable to port telephone numbers within the same network - unless I pay an early repayment fee - which was hundreds of pounds!!

I have complained and complained - but because I have used the contract and phone they have told me I am now responsible for paying them - because I can't port numbers I am stuck with two high priced contracts one at 22 quid and one at 35 quid!! If I downgrade I can't keep my number which will really annoy my boss who's just spent 200 quid of printed material with my number on!!
I can't win!! the excutive office of this network said I have complained to the highest position and they are unable to help me in anyway because that call was not recorded and the member of staff entered notes which suggested I had agreed with the contract which is as supplied!!

Any suggestions on what I can do? Is there anyone else independently I can contact? Someone suggesting Citizens Adv??

Many Thanks in advance for your help.

jenniewb

I am a bit confused by all the info: you were told you could downgrade the old contract to be £12.50 but then they told you at the last minute it was too late and that you could not? Was there any part in that which was down to you or is that all them? Then you go on to state your being charged £35 for it...probably me and it being late but I'm a bit confused.

If you were mis-sold and no part in it was you, you could call trading standards.

Also try Consumer Direct who may be able to help buit have to say when 3-Mobile scammed me into another 18 month contract (they sent me the wrong phone and although told me it was fine for me to turn on (and no I didn't insert the sim) then told me I was unable to send it back because I turned it on. Lies but enough of me believed them and 2 weeks later when I had realised I had inserted the sim and it was too late. The handset turned out to be faulty and was only replaced 12 months into the contract by which time I'd gotten used to not being able to use a mobile and so when the contract ran out did not continue. They also had lied to me about the contract saying it had additional bits which it did not (free internet and free music downloads and more texts and minutes when it did not). I tried to complain and got nowhere fast. I gave up in the end but not before stating what happened as often as possible to anyone even considering 3 mobile as a plausable idea.

So in essence!

If you do feel you were mis-sold and then tricked into something and no part in that was you assuming anything or not doing anything they had asked prior to the contract beginning (ie if they asked you to pay a fee you did not pay or etc) then I'd go to Trading Standards, Consumer Direct and then let the company know. Also try the CAB but they do tend to be better with debt concerns and money taken by companies who shouldn't have taken it or to placate those who are struggling with final demands and things rather then being able to offer as much for the legalities of contracts but they should have information on where to go and who to speak to. If you have a free Law Center near you (most towns do or have one near) it could be worth asking them for advice?