Received 3 'smart' phones but they're not mine!

retiredbutyoungatheartish

Hello,

I'm hoping somebody can help me.

Around 3 months ago I received 3 'smart' mobile phones from Carphone Warehouse (excuse my terminology, I am 62 and still in 'learning' mode!). The problem is I never ordered them.

I've spent many hours on the phone to their helpline trying to send these things back. However they tell me the phones have been paid for (monies have cleared) and returns are no longer acceptable because

(a) It is beyond their acceptable period (Terms and Conditions)
(b) They will not speak to me as I am not the person on receipt

They claim the phones are nothing to do with them (although they admit to sending them) and that I should keep them as they will not accept them back.

Citizens advise (over the phone) have said I should return them, Carphone Warehouse have no interest. My local police station have said they cannot accept them as it's not lost property.

I have no use for these. I only use my phone to receive and make the odd call and it's anything but smart (although it does go a whole month on a charge).

According to the box the phones are:

LG G3 D855 (two of these)
Motorola Moto G

All they will tell me is that there is no contract linked to these.

I've checked my bank and I have no payments missing (I don't own a credit card).

I'm at a loss. I have no interest in these devices.

Would somebody perhaps explain where I stand? At the moment I have left them unopened in the cupboard.

Apologies if this comment is in the wrong section.

SuperHan

Leaving them unopened is a good move, but if you've got clear documentation that you've tried to return them and they don't want them back, you may be able to sell them on.

Maybe ask them in writing if you are okay to sell them and to confirm that they will never want them back?

If you didn't order anything from Carphone Warehouse, they may also fall under unsolicited goods laws, so you can look in to those too

ElefantEd

If the owners don't want them back, and the police aren't interested (which is unsurprising), then if I were you I would stick them in a box for a few months. If Carphone Warehouse haven't got back in touch with you by then to organise their return, give them to charity or young people you know (or sell them on ebay and donate the proceeds to a worthy cause).

It sounds like you have done everything you could reasonably be expected to do to send them back where they came from, you are not obliged to make any further efforts either morally or legally!

ThumbRemote

Make sure you email Carphone Warehouse, to get their instructions in writing. Should they suddenly change their mind and insist you return them, after you've got rid, you've then got proof of your actions.

Also if someone turns up at your door asking if they were delivered to you, deny all knowledge. It's a possible scam - steal a credit card, get goods delivered to an alternative address, then turn up at the door asking if your parcel was delivered there. Admittedly this sounds unlikely after so long, but better safe than sorry.

Jakg

Are they on a contract or PAYG?

Have you checked your credit report for any fraudulent accounts?

bod1467

I'll have one of the LGs if they're going spare.

powerful_Rogue

bod1467 wrote: »

I'll have one of the LGs if they're going spare.

Ditto!

As already said, before you do anything, make sure you get it in writing from the CarPhoneWarehouse.

powerful_Rogue

Jakg wrote: »

Are they on a contract or PAYG?

Have you checked your credit report for any fraudulent accounts?

PAYG from the original post.

unholyangel

SuperHan wrote: »

Leaving them unopened is a good move, but if you've got clear documentation that you've tried to return them and they don't want them back, you may be able to sell them on.

Maybe ask them in writing if you are okay to sell them and to confirm that they will never want them back?

If you didn't order anything from Carphone Warehouse, they may also fall under unsolicited goods laws, so you can look in to those too

They've been sent by someones request - thus not unsolicited.

However what wasnt clear in OP is whether they were addressed to him or whether they were addressed to someone else.