Well and truly stuffed by Orange and Phones 4 U?

swit

(I typed this out already, but can't see it on the board so apologies if this ends up showing twice).

Having been with O2 since 2004, I decided to look for a cheaper option. I got my PAC code from O2 and din't have anything outstanding on my O2 contract.

So last Saturday (12.01.13) I walked into Phones 4 U shop - probably mistake number one - and walked out with a Nokia handset and a 22 month contract with Orange; probably mistake number two...

By Monday or Tuesday my old number transfered across to the new handset, but I found I couldn't send any text messages. I called Orange and was told to do some stuff and that all would be fine. It wasn't fine. Even though most text messages show that they fail to send, some are received four times, some once, but there's no way of my being able to be sure of that so the chances are that I'm racking up my phone bill by sending text messages on multiple occasions. I rarely make phone calls on my mobile, so not sure how that's going to pan out.

Now the handset. It seems it's set up for USA users since it wanted to set to USA time and since it has an option to show all USA holidays on the calender. This might be why I can't get certain app's to work properly. Linkedin won't work as it says my phone isn't set to the correct time - it is set to the correct time. I very nearly missed a Facebook email from a charity I volunteer for asking me for my address so that I could update my CRB with them as Facebook alters don't show on Facebook on my phone.

Having had enough of Orange and the handset by Wednesday (16.01.13), I called Orange to say I wanted to terminate the contract and why. The person I spoke to then texted me an address to sent the handset to and said it was fine to terminate the contract; they seemed to be passing the time of day answering calls for Orange.

I just thought I'd check with Orange about where the handset goes to and about terminating the contract as I do want to know what comeback there is potentially going to be. So I called Orange yesterday (17.01.13) and was told that I am not to return the handset to them and that my contract is with Phones 4 U and not with them. When I called Phones 4 U I was told I couldn't end the contract with them.

So now I'm close to tears as I type this... again. It seems I am left to pay over £30 a month to a provider that isn't providing a very good service and I am stuck with a duff handset to go with. Phones 4 U said that they would replace any broken handset, but it isn't broken per se, it's just not wanting to be English and seems to prefer to be an American abroad.

I can't believe that I am stuck in this position.

Can anyone tell me what the reprecussions will be if I stop my standing order with Orange and post the handset to the adress texted to me by Orange. I can't believe how miserable a new phone and new handset are making me right now.

Thanks for reading.

Best wishes,

S :-(

19lottie82

swit wrote: »

So now I'm close to tears as I type this...

Come on now, this is a bit over dramatic, surely?

Take it back to the P4U shop where you purchased it. I'm sure they will be able to help you apply the correct settings.

Silk

swit wrote: »

Can anyone tell me what the reprecussions will be if I stop my standing order with Orange and post the handset to the adress texted to me by Orange. I can't believe how miserable a new phone and new handset are making me right now.

The deal was with Phones 4u, it's them that need to sort it out not Orange
If you cancel the SO they will trash your credit rating and you will be chased by debt collectors.
Assuming the phone is faulty you have the option to reject it But you have to do this with Phones 4u it's not Orange

19lottie82

Silk wrote: »

Assuming the phone is faulty you have the option to reject it But you have to do this with Phones 4u it's not Orange

what do you mean by "reject it"? if you mean cancel their contract, no they don't.

swit

I know I sound like a drama queen, but even if the handset is set to UK time somehow, I still have a problem with the provider: Orange. I don't know when a text has been received as it invariably says "can't send message Try again", so I do. Meantime the text has been received. So I'm seeing that it bounces back unsuccessfully and sending again and again as it says it's failed again and again. Repeated attempts to send can result in a text from me being received one to four times so far. I guess I'll be charged for the four, or at least when I exceed my monthly allowance.

S :-/

Silk

19lottie82 wrote: »

what do you mean by "reject it"? if you mean cancel their contract, no they don't.

Reject it as in not fit for purpose and obtain one that works

19lottie82

Silk wrote: »

Reject it as in not fit for purpose and obtain one that works

ah right, ok

it doesnt sound like a faulty handset tho, more like settings.

and OP, oddly enough (or maybe not) I had the same problem with texts last night (I was with orange too). sending one and someonee said they ahd got it 4 times. maybe a temp network wide glitch. no sign of it today tho?

Silk

19lottie82 wrote: »

ah right, ok

it doesnt sound like a faulty handset tho, more like settings.

Agreed ....my mention of rejecting was to reassure the OP they wern't going to be stuck with a duff phone they could not use

swit

If you cancel the SO they will trash your credit rating and you will be chased by debt collectors.
Is there an alternative option of paying them off do you know? I'd be happy for them to take me to court and for me to say what I'm being expected to pay for. It just wouldn't be allowed for anything else that can be purchased, surely???

As for my credit rating, I have no debt except a mortgage; not even an overdraft, so they can trash my credit rating all they like.

19lottie82

swit wrote: »

As for my credit rating, I have no debt except a mortgage; not even an overdraft, so they can trash my credit rating all they like.

Whoa there! This is a very VERY stupid thing to even consider!
You obviously don't fully understand the implications of having a default on your credit files!

And again, please stop over reacting! Talking about letting Orange take you to court?! I take it in the 17 minutes since it was suggested, you haven't been to P4U to see if thye can help?

Silk

swit wrote: »

I know I sound like a drama queen, but even if the handset is set to UK time somehow, I still have a problem with the provider: Orange. I don't know when a text has been received as it invariably says "can't send message Try again", so I do. Meantime the text has been received. So I'm seeing that it bounces back unsuccessfully and sending again and again as it says it's failed again and again. Repeated attempts to send can result in a text from me being received one to four times so far. I guess I'll be charged for the four, or at least when I exceed my monthly allowance.

S :-/

It's doubtful the problem is with Orange, if the phone settings for the time zone is out theres a fair chance the sms and mms settings are wrong on the phone.
Either check the settings or take it back to the shop for them to check it before you do anyhting else