Locked to Virgin EE by carphone warehouse

mickeyb44

Hi,


I purchased an Iphone 4s from carphone warehouse, I paid full price £299 for an unlocked phone. I also purchased a virgin payg sim from them.


I have been very unhappy with virgin ee due to poor signal and very poor internet so I got myself a Vodafone payg sim, I put it in but it said "this phone is locked".


I called carphone warehouse and they said "sorry but all our iphones regardless of price or contract / no contract will be locked forever to the first sim you put in.


So I called Apple and managed to get hold of a senior technical advisor, he tried to tell carphone warehouse what they are doing is very wrong but CW didn't care less, he tried to get my phone unlocked but in the end gave up the chase.


On the EE website they say they will only unlock a phone if you pay them and provide an 'insurers letter' ????


I can just about bring myself to pay them but I do not see why I should pay to get my phone insured just for them to unlock ?!?


Does anyone know if an email to trading standards will help me out ? Or can anyone suggest a really cheap mobile insurance company that will allow me to cancel after the first month and also give me a letter to say its insured ?


I am totally disgusted and outraged by CW.


Thanks in advance

mobilejunkie

Nothing to do with them - as I understand IPhones DO lock to whatever network the first sim used is with.

That's what you get for spending a fortune on a short-term toy/status symbol. Should be renamed IMUG.

mickeyb44

Well thanks for calling me a mug, much appreciated.


Apple said what they are doing is wrong and the phone should be unlocked if I paid full price without contract or sim.


Any chance anyone can offer me some advice ?


My sister bought an unlocked iphone, and it is still unlocked

mobilejunkie

It's rubbish. It is unlocked - until you put the sim in.

lfc321

mobilejunkie wrote: »

Nothing to do with them - as I understand IPhones DO lock to whatever network the first sim used is with.

That's what you get for spending a fortune on a short-term toy/status symbol. Should be renamed IMUG.

Not true of iPhones bought direct from Apple.

grumbler

lfc321 wrote: »

Not true of iPhones bought direct from Apple.

And, reportedly, from Giffgaff as well.

mickeyb44

Ok, this is all very well, but can anyone actually offer advice for me ? That's why im here.


For what its worth I did not buy it as a status symbol, im just not that kind of person.

grumbler

mickeyb44 wrote: »

I am totally disgusted and outraged by CW.

You must have missed the warning at CPW, e.g.

SIM free iPhone 5c will lock to the network of the first SIM used.

http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/phones/apple-iphone-5c-8gb/monthly?colourCode=BLUE

If you've bought it as sim-free in a store, you have strong grounds for complaining about misselling/misrepresentation and demanding them to pay for unlocking.

19lottie82

mobilejunkie wrote: »

That's what you get for spending a fortune on a short-term toy/status symbol. Should be renamed IMUG.

What a horrible patronising post. How dare you call someone a mug because they choose to purchase a luxury item. The cheapest house in the UK is what £8k? You can get a used car for £200? Shoes for £8 from Primark? I take it you don't spend anymore on these items? In fact no, I guess you do, and there is the odd area in life you like to splash out on because that's your pleasure! Do people come along Judging and ridiculing you for that? I hope not because that's pretty pathetic.

mickeyb44

Thanks Grumbler,


I distinctly remember saying "I would like to pay full price for an unlocked iphone" and the sales agent said "yes of course sir, wise choice".


I sent CW a polite email about this but they simply said "you should have checked our website first, the warning is on it"


I don't think CW will back down on this, so im stuck with paying 20 something quid and getting an insurers letter.


Or is it worth an email to TS ?

wiogs

mobilejunkie wrote: »

Nothing to do with them - as I understand IPhones DO lock to whatever network the first sim used is with.

That's what you get for spending a fortune on a short-term toy/status symbol. Should be renamed IMUG.

You understand incorrectly.