Return phone after network cancellation?

Jimmy_Neutron

I bought a phone online from phones4u, the network provider is Orange. I had a lot of problems from the 3rd day onwards with the signal, and after a lot of phone calls, and being passed from department to department, I finally got in touch with a manager who made the decision to cancel the contract - I was just starting the 3rd month of a 18 month contract. He said there would be no termination fees and gave me a pac code.

Because I purchased this deal/phone through phones4u will I have to return the phone because the contract was terminated early?

Thanks for reading...

Timalay

Put simply yes. As the phone was part of the contract, you have return the phone.

Jimmy_Neutron

When I bought the phone/contract it said on the phones4u website that the phone was free, you didn't have to pay any upfront costs, and that the contract was £35 for 18 months.

As the phone was "free" shouldn't that indicate that the phone is not part of the contract, more of an enticement to enter the contract, and if the contract is terminated the phone still remains my property?

Bingolingo

If you're a few months into the contract and it is Orange, and not P4U, taking responsibility for the cancellation then you can keep the phone.

gjchester

Jimmy_Neutron wrote: »

When I bought the phone/contract it said on the phones4u website that the phone was free, you didn't have to pay any upfront costs, and that the contract was £35 for 18 months.

As the phone was "free" shouldn't that indicate that the phone is not part of the contract, more of an enticement to enter the contract, and if the contract is terminated the phone still remains my property?

Then again they don't have to let you cancel free of charge.

No network guarantees signal everywhere, send it back and move on before the goodwill evaporates and you'll have to pay a termination fee of around £500 to get out of the contract.

macman

As above, don't push it. They are under no obligation to void your contract without charge, so I'd quit while you are ahead.

Jimmy_Neutron

The team manager, Simon, has given me a pac code and said as soon as I move to a new provider, next week, the contract will be terminated with no early termination fees, just the cost between the time elapsed since receiving the pac code and using it.

I thought that I could keep the phone as the contract was terminated by Orange, not myself.

Earthworm

You know what is morally right to do (return the phone) but seem to want us to tell you to keep the phone. You wouldn't have questioned advice already given if you wanted to give it back. I cant really see Orange charging you for a phone given to you by Phones4U so do as you see fit. If you want to send it back send it back and if you want to keep it keep it.

You could even hold the phone aside boxed for a few months to wait for contact regarding the phone. Then if no contact is made sell it on and give that money to a local charity.

There aren't gonna be many posters here who are happy to take responsibility for you keeping a phone that you haven't paid for.

Jimmy_Neutron

Since when have I asked anyone to take "responsibility" for telling me to keep the phone?

Bleedin' hell this forum is strange sometimes.

The question of if the phone is to be returned was more geared towards people who have been in a similar position and have had the contract terminated by the provider, not by themselves.

I am not asking what is morally right do, not that I think that is morally wrong to keep the phone which cost nothing up front.

So, if I paid £100-200 up front for the phone, then paid £35pm for the contract and Orange terminated the contract would I receive the £200 back?

powerful_Rogue

Keep the phone, its yours.

You took out an airtime agreement and the phone was a free gift.

earthstorm

Jimmy_Neutron wrote: »

The team manager, Simon, has given me a pac code and said as soon as I move to a new provider, next week, the contract will be terminated with no early termination fees, just the cost between the time elapsed since receiving the pac code and using it.

I thought that I could keep the phone as the contract was terminated by Orange, not myself.

You cannot always trust team leaders as when you activate the PAC code with another provider then the early termination process is started by an automated system, so you could still end up with an invoice for early termination.

The phone was a gift from Phones4U for choosing them, the contact was with Orange, unless you are asked to return the phone, which could happen once the termination is complete.