Free Gifts

compo24

Hi,

Can anyone explain why mobile phone companies are allowed to advertise "FREE GIFTS" which they give with mobile contracts and yet the price of the contract goes up to cover the cost of the item?

This is not a "FREE" item surely? Why are they not prosecuted for this?

Andy

JJ_Egan

Enough users are posting actively looking for free gift contracts to make it valid method of selling .
Contract A at xx per month Contract B at xx + a few quid and free gifts is not illegal .

grumbler

compo24 wrote: »

....why mobile phone companies are allowed to advertise "FREE GIFTS" which they give with mobile contracts and yet the price of the contract goes up to cover the cost of the item?....

Is it different from, say, The Hut offering Free Jeans with boxers?

mobilejunkie

Unless you use cashback deals - they can be much better than "free"...

compo24

Hi,

yes, it is different. If you go to a shop and agree a price for that item, say £20 per month for 24mths. Then the salesman says "pick a FREE gift". You pick your free gift and then the salesman says "Ok, now your payment is £50 a month"

How is any part of the items "FREE" ?

If items are described as free, that should not then increase the agreed price for the original purchase. Free means at no cost surely.

mobilejunkie

It's a free country (thank God). You can't get much "freer" than making a profit out of something. It's not rocket science, but basic calculations and research. Marketing has been around longer than capitalism and will always exist - but capitalism provides choice and that's the important thing. The mugs pay for those of us who aren't - and long may that continue.

grumbler

compo24 wrote: »

yes, it is different. If you go to a shop and agree a price for that item, say £20 per month for 24mths. Then the salesman says "pick a FREE gift". You pick your free gift and then the salesman says "Ok, now your payment is £50 a month"

How is any part of the items "FREE" ?

If items are described as free, that should not then increase the agreed price for the original purchase. Free means at no cost surely.

OK, name and shame then.
Absolutely randomly I checked mobiles .co.uk and Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini Pink Refurbished

With the same O2 tariff (Unltd+Unltd+1Gb) it is available for either

24x£28 with cashback
OR
24x£28 with XBox

I don't see it cheaper without a 'gift'.

That said, all networks give 'free' phones on tariffs that cost more than a similar sim-only tariff. "Free" means just that you don't pay anything upfront.

iAMaLONDONER

mobilejunkie wrote: »

The mugs pay for those of us who aren't - and long may that continue.

This should the MSE slogan!

dealer_wins

But its FREE!!!!

robbies_gal

noones forcing anyone to take the deal

sometimes its the only way people can afford the extra gadget