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Locked to Virgin EE by carphone warehouse
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I sent CW a polite email about this but they simply said "you should have checked our website first, the warning is on it"
The good thing is that in this e-mail they indirectly admit in-store misselling, so you can easily sue them via the Small Claims Court. The only question is the amount. I think you can unlock (properly) a EE-locked iPhone for £60+ via Ebay.0 -
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.
Completely wrong, it's everything to do with them!
CarPhoneWarehouse is the only retailer to do the first UK sim inserted locks the iPhone trick.
In their defence, they have always made the point on their iPhone webpage though.====0 -
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.
Have you contacted Virgin? If you have been using the phone on their network they are the people to arrange the unlock.
Ring 789 and ask them to unlock it, there will probably be a £15.32 charge to do so.
http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/phone/mobile-phones/changing-provider/mobile-phone-locking-and-unlocking/====0 -
19lottie82 wrote: »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.
In that case, why are they quibbling about spending £20 to unlock it?
As for what I buy, whatever it is I make sure I understand it first and suffer the consequences if I don't.
I doubt there is a case, since the phone was sold unlocked; it's up to the buyer what network they chose to lock it to afterwards by inserting that network's sim.0 -
mobilejunkie wrote: »In that case, why are they quibbling about spending £20 to unlock it?
When I pay £2K for a holiday I make a choice between using a CC with 1% cashback and 2% fee and a debit card. And I pay by a debit card to save £20. What's wrong with this?As for what I buy, whatever it is I make sure I understand it first and suffer the consequences if I don't.I doubt there is a case, since the phone was sold unlocked;
it's up to the buyer what network they chose to lock it to afterwards by inserting that network's sim.0 -
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Right, lets clear this thread up:
1: The warning should have been made clear by the salesman in carphone warehouse, he did not and he clearly stated it was "a good idea to buy an unlocked phone". I asked for an unlocked phone that I could use any and also change any sim.
2: It is not just 20 quid, its 20 quid plus the cost of getting the phone insured, as per instructions on EE website. Frankly it should be free !
3: Virgin are nothing to do with this, I tried them and they said its 100% down to EE and EE only.
4: I have tried 2 unlock shops and they both tried and said sorry, they didn't charge me.
5: I did not buy an iphone as a status symbol or toy, I bought it for personal and business use. Yes, I should have purchased an unlocked Samsung but at the time I had several collegues with unlocked iphones advising me to purchase one.
6: I had a threeway conversation with a senior tech at apple and CW, the apple guy really tried hard for me but in the end realised that if CW wanted to actually help they still could not because its locked to EE and now out of their control.
7: Two weeks ago I emailed EE to ask why they require an insurers letter, they did not reply, im about to try again.
.
Phew, thanks to those who answered my original questions0 -
Used to work for CPW, they don't deserve the bad rep that many people give them.CPW are not the only retailer to do this, Vodafone, O2, EE, 3, they all do it!I am guessing it is a pre-requisite of Apple that if you a mobile retailer selling the phone, it must be locked.In this instance, it was stupid of the sales consultant to sell it as "unlocked", I would go to the manager of the store, he does have the discretion to do something about it whether it is in the form of a credit note for CPW or a cheque sent to your house to cover the cost of an unlock. If you don't get any further, complain straight to the top.0
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