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EE Reward and Recycle, Fraud

OK, So I know I should have read up on them before I went ahead and sent them my phone but like a fool, I just trusted blindly that my mobile provider would provide a trustworthy service for recycling my phone. Not only that but they offered the best quote for my device iPhone 6 64GB.
How wrong could I have been?
Turns out very. I had to call them this morning to chase up, the original £90 quote has been halved due to damage to the phone (screen lifting, white spot on the LCD, scratches on the device) None of these exist to my knowledge, nor more importantly does their quote screen request this information. So they have your device before they amend their quote.
So a quick check on Trust Pilot shows that this sort of sharp practice is common and it would appear that all too frequently people are complaining of the same behaviours. Also their trustpilot reviews seem to have been loaded during 2012 and 2013 and up until that point they had a good reputation. After this, generally very bad or poor reviews.

I have called EE and spoken to their retentions department about it. They effectively washed their hands of it as it's actually a 3rd party(Brightstar) who are employed by EE to perform their recycling. Although they were actually very good as per usual (Not that I make a habit of calling them)

Expecting a call back from the people at Brightstar but not expecting much as way of a response.

Anybody else suffered the same sorts of issues or have any advice as regards a next step?

Comments

  • boatman
    boatman Posts: 4,700 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Can you request its return, and sell it elsewhere? Appears you can ask for it back within 3 days of being told the value, provided its the same T&C's:

    https://www.mobilephonexchange.co.uk/Terms.aspx
  • Jenny_EE
    Jenny_EE Posts: 44 Organisation Representative
    JBarron333 wrote: »
    OK, So I know I should have read up on them before I went ahead and sent them my phone but like a fool, I just trusted blindly that my mobile provider would provide a trustworthy service for recycling my phone. Not only that but they offered the best quote for my device iPhone 6 64GB.
    How wrong could I have been?
    Turns out very. I had to call them this morning to chase up, the original £90 quote has been halved due to damage to the phone (screen lifting, white spot on the LCD, scratches on the device) None of these exist to my knowledge, nor more importantly does their quote screen request this information. So they have your device before they amend their quote.
    So a quick check on Trust Pilot shows that this sort of sharp practice is common and it would appear that all too frequently people are complaining of the same behaviours. Also their trustpilot reviews seem to have been loaded during 2012 and 2013 and up until that point they had a good reputation. After this, generally very bad or poor reviews.

    I have called EE and spoken to their retentions department about it. They effectively washed their hands of it as it's actually a 3rd party(Brightstar) who are employed by EE to perform their recycling. Although they were actually very good as per usual (Not that I make a habit of calling them)

    Expecting a call back from the people at Brightstar but not expecting much as way of a response.

    Anybody else suffered the same sorts of issues or have any advice as regards a next step?

    Hello,

    When you look to sell your mobile through the Recycle and Reward site it does advise: "The used price we quote for your phone or tablet is based on it being in full working order without any cosmetic damage. If your phone or tablet is tested and found not to be in full working order, we'll offer you a revised price."

    If you're not happy with the quote we will return the phone to you free of charge. It sounds like you're in touch with Brightstar who can advise best from there.

    Thanks, Jenny
    Official Company Representative
    I'm an official company representative of EE. MSE has given permission for me to post in response to queries about the company, so that I can help solve issues. You can see my name on the companies with permission to post list. I am not allowed to tout for business at all. If you believe I am please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com This does NOT imply any form of approval of my company or its products by MSE"
  • DCFC79
    DCFC79 Posts: 40,610 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Just request the phone back and sell it elsewhere.
  • lewishardwick
    lewishardwick Posts: 679 Forumite
    Why are people so quick to say It's fraud, when the T&Cs are usually pretty clear in these instances.

    I had exactly the same with Mazuma. £80 online offer dropped to £20 due to "white spots on LCD". I rejected the offer, phone arrived the next day. Stuck on eBay and sold for £75.

    A bit more hassle, but hardly fraudulent!
  • pmduk
    pmduk Posts: 10,655 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    fraud, scam and ripoff are favourite claims on these boards when people haven't read what they're getting into.
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