reliability of Carphone Warehouse advice

katejo

Today I browsed smartphones in Carphone Warehouse. They gave me a leaflet claiming that they could offer advice on the choice of a new phone independent of the phone networks. Is their advice any good? I have never used them before and also I am not very expert in the pros/cons of different phones/contracts.

Buzby

As they are not tied, they are genuinely independent, but then, hey only offer the tariffs they want - there is rarely additional Cashback or discounted deals available online.

Further, you do not need a contract to get a mobile. PAYG prevents your credit file being trashed.

grumbler

Formally they are independent, but they do depend on the commission they are getting from the networks.

So, they aren't trustworthy as any sales people.
Do your own research.

katejo

Buzby wrote: »

As they are not tied, they are genuinely independent, but then, hey only offer the tariffs they want - there is rarely additional Cashback or discounted deals available online.

Further, you do not need a contract to get a mobile. PAYG prevents your credit file being trashed.

No i know that you don't need a contract. I do have one now which I can't cancel for another 6 months. I am trying to work out whether I should switch to PAYG after that. I don't have any problems with my credit file.
It is helpful to know that Carphone are getting commission.

Mickyk

They are preferential to certain networks at certain times.

This is due to the fluctuation of commission payable for new contracts by certain networks.

So, Yes, they are not an individual network, but if a guy is getting £100 commission from Vodafone, or £25 from Three, I think I know which I would "recommend"

Earthworm

I've personally found they tend to attempt to persuade you to switch networks too to claim a new customer rather than an upgrade as it tends to be better for their targets/bonus. I'd do your own research before commiting to anything.

MissKeith

So much incorrect information in this thread! I worked for Carphone for four years, the sales people are NOT on commission, their bonus relies heavily on the level of customer service they provide and it does not make a jot of difference to their targets whether they upgrade you or switch you to a new provider. Our manager always encouraged us to get the best deal possible for the customer ad it was more likely they would take the insurance which we WERE heavily targeted on.

However, when I was there, they was little to no product training and customers would often be reliant on the advice of the sales person. Personally, I liked to kerp myself fully informed about the products we sold and I always made sure I could back up my advice with facts from various tech sources. However some of my colleagues weren't as knowledgeable or conscientious as myself and would often misadvise. This was not ever done maliciously, more in ignorance and luckily the branch in which I worked were brilliant at correcting mistakes. I think it helped that our manager was so customer focused and had the sense to realise that repeat business was more profitable than arguing. This techically should be the Carphone way but in many cases, this wasn't the way it went in other branches.

Long story short, take their technical advice with a pinch of salt as it is not always well informed. Do your own research and trust your instincts and you should be fine. Oh and I find the people selling over the phone to be even less informed than the folk in store. The staff in branch had to deal with the phones on a daily basis and we would often direct customers away from certain handsets if they had a high rate of failure or if they would be unsuitable for their needs, whereas the phone staff wouldn't have the same level of hands on experience and would give advice based on generic spec.

katejo

MissKeith wrote: »

So much incorrect information in this thread! I worked for Carphone for four years, the sales people are NOT on commission, their bonus relies heavily on the level of customer service they provide and it does not make a jot of difference to their targets whether they upgrade you or switch you to a new provider. Our manager always encouraged us to get the best deal possible for the customer ad it was more likely they would take the insurance which we WERE heavily targeted on.

However, when I was there, they was little to no product training and customers would often be reliant on the advice of the sales person. Personally, I liked to kerp myself fully informed about the products we sold and I always made sure I could back up my advice with facts from various tech sources. However some of my colleagues weren't as knowledgeable or conscientious as myself and would often misadvise. This was not ever done maliciously, more in ignorance and luckily the branch in which I worked were brilliant at correcting mistakes. I think it helped that our manager was so customer focused and had the sense to realise that repeat business was more profitable than arguing. This techically should be the Carphone way but in many cases, this wasn't the way it went in other branches.

Long story short, take their technical advice with a pinch of salt as it is not always well informed. Do your own research and trust your instincts and you should be fine. Oh and I find the people selling over the phone to be even less informed than the folk in store. The staff in branch had to deal with the phones on a daily basis and we would often direct customers away from certain handsets if they had a high rate of failure or if they would be unsuitable for their needs, whereas the phone staff wouldn't have the same level of hands on experience and would give advice based on generic spec.

Thanks as this is very helpful. I was asked about buying their insurance yesterday but said firmly No. I haven't lost a phone yet.

will-he-payitoff

You can normally get a better deal on line and even collect the phone from a CPW store.
Have a look on here http://www.mobilephonechecker.co.uk/

MrShazzyMan

katejo wrote: »

Today I browsed smartphones in Carphone Warehouse. They gave me a leaflet claiming that they could offer advice on the choice of a new phone independent of the phone networks. Is their advice any good? I have never used them before and also I am not very expert in the pros/cons of different phones/contracts.

Honestly never trust a word that comes out of the mouth of a Carphone Warehouse employee, PC World/Currys employee! All they want is to sell you products that are overpriced and might not work after a few months. Best thing if you want another contract phone is to go to dialaphone although I have a suspicious feeling they're owned by carphone warehouse too except dialaphone is an online company and their tariff prices are extremely reasonable.

grumbler

MrShazzyMan wrote: »

Honestly never trust a word that comes out of the mouth of a Carphone Warehouse employee, PC World/Currys employee!

You failed to mention Phones 4 You that are even worse.

All they want is to sell you products that are overpriced and might not work after a few months. Best thing if you want another contract phone is to go to dialaphone although I have a suspicious feeling they're owned by carphone warehouse too except dialaphone is an online company and their tariff prices are extremely reasonable.

D-a-p are owned by P4U actually...
So, I don't see much difference between going online to d-a-p (or p4u) and going online to CPW (or mobiles.co.uk/e2save/osps).