Mobile network providers

Chelseadog

I am writing with the off chance someone can help advise me. Last Wed I went to car phone warehouse and switched networks from Three to EE. I was on a great deal with Three £15 a month unlimited talk and texts. I had an iPhone 4s which was handed down to me.

With the switch I got an iPhone 6 costing £33.49/month (foolish I know). But the worst issue I have is the reception with EE. I live in Wales and when given the new phone to test for 24 hours it was fine. However I spend 3 nights a week in Llanelli where the reception was so poor I could not make calls.

I read in one of Martins updates that under the consumer protection law I had up to 14 days to return it but I guess there's always exceptions. Does anyone know or had any experience with carphone warehouse and EE? Have a horrible feeling I am doomed. Thanks for any tips

kensiko

It might be worth contacting them as it doesn't really sound fit for purpose. If it was direct with EE I think there would be no issue however this answer from Carphone Warehouse seems to go against the standard 14 day period.

I don't know if some other law can overwrite their own terms but you may have signed up for these directly. The EE section on this page does state the contract cannot be cancelled but small print says:
"Unfortunately we do not operate a change of mind policy on this product. However, if your product is defective in any way or if you are having difficulties with coverage then please contact us as soon as possible. This does not affect your statutory rights."

On a more positive note it looks like they have a separate 'Coverage Guarantee' exactly for your purpose!

buglawton

When Orange merged with T mobile to become EE they took a cost cutting opportunity to switch off a huge number of mobile cells. I used to have Virgin mobile that used the same EE network coverage but have been happier with 3 since. The EE coverage guarantee emphasises home address coverage. Let us know how you get on.

Chelseadog

"Unfortunately we do not operate a change of mind policy on this product. However, if your product is defective in any way or if you are having difficulties with coverage then please contact us as soon as possible. This does not affect your statutory rights."

Thank you for highlighting this. I did phone EE and you're right, their contracts don't always apply when a contract is signed in a store ie car phone warehouse. Since 2 hours after getting home I tried ringing the store with no luck with getting them to answer. I have tried consistently for 6 days. I am disabled so rely on a carer to get me out and about and on Thurs she was unable to take me to the store (she is a carer for a company so fits me in the afternoons she does not work (1-4pm) but that morning she got called in for an emergency meeting that afternoon. And of course Friday I went to Llanelli where I couldn't get a signal indoors and came back last night. I will go into the store today to see what if anything can be done but it looks like they will only sign me up to another contract instead of cancelling which I don't want as none of the networks supported by car phone warehouse seem to work great in the areas I live in (Three works much better). Feeling rather foolish I didn't check all this (there are some great apps I have since discovered showing the various networks coverage). Thank you so much for responding. I have a feeling this is going to be an expensive lesson learned.

Chelseadog

Thank you buglawton I will certainly do that. Appreciate the support.

buglawton

You only option might be to pay to have the phone unlocked by EE for a fee as soon as allowed. You can them pop in a pay as you go 3 sim - very cheap to run, usually better than a 3 contract.

While waiting for the unlock: Is there WiFi you can used indoors at the no coverage locations? If so, switch on the built in WiFi calling feature and wait 24 hrs:
http://ee.co.uk/help/phones-and-device/apple/apple-iphone-6/setting-up-wifi-calling-on-your-iphone
This will allow outgoing calls and texts using your EE number and bill.
According to this article
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/ee-wifi-calling-new-service-will-allow-customers-to-make-calls-across-wifi-networks-10163670.html
...incoming calls to your EE mobile number should work too.

ballyblack

try the mobile board

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=14

Chelseadog

You only option might be to pay to have the phone unlocked by EE for a fee as soon as allowed. You can them pop in a pay as you go 3 sim - very cheap to run, usually better than a 3 contract.

Thank you, I wasn't aware of that. At the cost of sounding even more foolish I was on the Three contract of all you can eat data, unlimited talk and texts for £15 a month as I didn't have to pay for the cost of a phone as I had an iPhone 4s passed down to me.

This is good to know, thank you.

Ballyblack also appreciate being directed to the mobile board.

Chelseadog

Just a courtesy note - Carphone Warehouse has agreed to honour the 14 day clause and I have until Tuesday to cancel my new contract with EE.

The downside is that I am likely to lose my mobile number (which I've had for 15 years). Obviously I do not want to lose it. I asked if I could get a PAC number to switch back to Three but was told it doesn't work this way when cancelling a contract upfront.

Thanks again for your input, much appreciated.

macman

If you buy in store there is no automatic cooling-off period whatsoever-your rights are limited to whatever the retailer sees fit to offer. So losing your number is a very minor price to pay-you've been extremely lucky to get a cancellation at all without an ETC. The handset is now used and can only be resold as such, so EE take a big hit on this.
No network guarantees universal reception, and it's very simple to get a free PAYG SIM and test first before you contract.

Stoke

Three seem to be great. I took my first contract with them at 18, in 2008. At 25, I'm still with them.