Mobile metwork debt possibility

qwerkyqwerty

Hi all, this is my first post so please forgive any ametuer mistakes.

I went into a shop on the 20th May to get a mobile on contract. I was succesful. After recieving the phone I could not conect to the network. I called the network provider once and was not given any help as the support staff member did not know how to deal with the problem. I called a second time and was told to either wait 24hours or register the micro sim in store.

The next day I did but was told that the sim was not registered with the network what so ever and that i should return to the shop i brought the phone from to re-connect.

I did this today! I went back to the network provider (in-store) and was told that the sim number was non-existent on the system. I told them I was concerened about being charged for a service that is not in use and non-existent but was told that due to them not having my details on the system I would not be charged until otherwise.

The service provider told me that as ot stands I have a mobile that is not connected to any service provider. I was offered a new phone and contract but was told that if the sim is re-connected I would be paying for 2 phone lines.

My question is considering that I did everything by the book i.e. correct details, address, contacted service provider, went back to mobile issuer and clearly made an effort to re-connect to phone

...am i within my right to keep the mobile and wait for the sim to be connected?
...and if i do will I be charged for the time in between?
...is there a time period I have to wait before i within my right to claim the phone as my own due to incompetance (without paying the service provider).

I have researched this over the internet and cannot find an answer. I would greatly appreciate some insight as to how I should proceed.

Sorry for the lenghty thread and Thankyou

harrys_dad

I would try to go back to the shop and return the goods and cancel the contract as not fit for purpose under sales of goods act 1979. The problem here is the difficulty of merging what might be two separate "sales", one of the phone (which may or may not work) and one of the SIM/network connection. Is the shop run by the network provider (e.g Vodaphone/O2etc) or is it free standing (e.g Carphone Warehouse/Phones4U etc)?

Stay in the shop, insist on a full refund/contract cancellation in a very loud voice over and over again. That should get their attention. Make sure you get everything in writing. Might also be worth giving them a letter (get a receipt) saying in writing that you are rejcting the phone and contract as not fit for purpose.

qwerkyqwerty

Hi Harrys dad,

Thanks for the reply. To answer your question I got the phone from a free standing company (e.g Carphone Warehouse/Phones4U etc).

harrys_dad

qwerkyqwerty wrote: »

Hi Harrys dad,

Thanks for the reply. To answer your question I got the phone from a free standing company (e.g Carphone Warehouse/Phones4U etc).

I guessed as much, and they will try to blame the network and the network will try to blame them. My original advice still stands, go into the shop, cause a really big fuss, and demand cancellation of phone and contract and a refund of your money. I assume you signed the network contract in the shop too, so they acted as agents for the network provider. There is also the fact that they sold you the phone/contract/whatever on the basis that it would work with a given network and it doesn't.

The shop have cocked this up, they need to fix it, not pass the buck.