Mobiles.co.uk and Carphone Warehouse

orangesnaps

To give a background.
Two months ago, I needed to replace my iPhone 6 with a newer model as I found that it was lagging already and the longer I put off getting a new phone, the lower the value of my iPhone 6 would be. I ended my contract with 3 as they couldn't match the deal that I found and I bought an iPhone 8 from mobiles co uk with an o2 2 year contract as it was the best and cheapest deal that I could find and suited my budget perfectly.

I bought a waterproof case to protect the phone even though I don't take it underwater but I'm just used to it as I've been doing that with all my iPhones starting with my old 3Gs.

Yesterday, as I was about to place it back in its case, I noticed that the top left corner where the white bezel is looked liked it had chipped but it hadn't because it was still smooth and there were no jagged edges. It looked like it had a bubble underneath, like you could peel it off but I couldn't see any changes when I pressed on it. Curious and worried, I went to the mall as it had an Apple store and several CarPhone Warehouse stores. On the welcome pack of Mobiles, it stated that should a phone need a repair is to take them to a CPW to have it checked. I first went to the Apple store and they booked me in to be seen after an hour or so.

I decided to check what the repair guys at CPW would say and the first CPW I went to, the guy could not be bothered. He immediately said that all phones sold by mobiles were refurbished and barely spared a glance on my phone and said it's a cosmetic damage caused by me and wouldn't be able to help me any further.

I tweeted mobiles regarding his statement as I am aware that some phones sold there are refurbished but it will be clearly stated and the rest are brand new phones. They confirmed that I am correct and the staff was wrong to say that.

I went to another cpw branch on the first level and both the woman and guy manning the repair desk told me that it looked like my phone had a glass protector on because it looked like you could peel the corner. They said they couldn't help me anymore unless I had insurance, by that time I've already had enough of the bad service that I got from both cpw stores, so left it at that.

When I got seen by one of the Apple staff, they were as puzzled as I am as to what could caused it. They said it there is no way that the bezel or screen would peel due to how it's made and the materials used, it looked like it got chipped but there was no impact and other visible scruffs on the side plus the surface was smooth, no jagged edges. They offered to replace the screen for free then and there because it shouldn't be happening. I only had to wait for an hour and a half for them to replace it which I am very thankful for.

I am careful with my belongings especially my phone that's why I spend money for cases such as LifeProof fr!, Otterbox, Catalyst or DogAndBone to protect it and if I caused it, I wouldn't be going around trying to find the answer as to what could have caused it. I tweeted mobiles about it and they said they will feedback it to the store and raise an internal investigation. Although, I won't be holding my breath for it.

This has now made me wary of going through mobile resellers as it seems like they just pass customers from pillar to post if you need after sales support. I would definitely not buy from Carphone Warehouse and I've warned my family about them as well, although they aren't fans of them to begin with.

mobilejunkie

What's the difference between a "third party seller" and a network? Apple don't sell contracts, just phones.

harz99

Thanks OP, a bit long winded but essentially avoid CPW like the plague, with which I wholeheartedly agree.


A quick Google reveals all sorts of issues with many 3rd party retailers but CPW do seem to be consistently poor in many ways.

orangesnaps

mobilejunkie wrote: »

What's the difference between a "third party seller" and a network? Apple don't sell contracts, just phones.

edited it to change from third party reseller to mobile reseller.

According to broadbandchoices a mobile reseller is:
A mobile phone reseller is a company that offers mobile deals. Exact business models vary from company to company, but the general gist of it is this:

A reseller buys new handsets from a network wholesale or takes on refurbished ones - good-as-new phones that have been sent back or sold on by their last owner. The reseller then sells on those phones, complete with a contract from the network in this case, to customers at a reduced price. The cost to you is much lower because the reseller got its hands on the phones cheaply.

orangesnaps

harz99 wrote: »

Thanks OP, a bit long winded but essentially avoid CPW like the plague, with which I wholeheartedly agree.


A quick Google reveals all sorts of issues with many 3rd party retailers but CPW do seem to be consistently poor in many ways.

Sorry about that and thank you for reading. I read a lot of positive feedback about mobiles co uk that's why I went with them but didn't research about CPW which I should have.

dkuk18

Hi,
I have never bought a mobile phone from mobiles.co.uk but they have a v.good deal i am interested in. Is this a reputable/good company to deal with and secondly there has been a very good S9 deal for a while on there / featured on this website 2 in fact. Does anyone know how long the deal will continue as I'm out of contract in three weeks!

thanks Dan

mije1983

dkuk18 wrote: »

Hi,
I have never bought a mobile phone from mobiles.co.uk but they have a v.good deal i am interested in. Is this a reputable/good company to deal with and secondly there has been a very good S9 deal for a while on there / featured on this website 2 in fact. Does anyone know how long the deal will continue as I'm out of contract in three weeks!

thanks Dan

I assume by 'out of contract' you actually mean you have reached the end of your minimum term? If so, then you usually have to give 30 days notice to end the contract so give you notice now or request your PAC if you wish to keep your number.

Shazzmatazz

Avoid this company like the plague. Bought new phone a month ago. Got a pink line on phone and lost connection. Took it to samsung who said the handset was blacklisted plus muy mobile # had been issued also to someone else in the same day shock is why no one could find my details on file. Vodafone unblocked it but now mobiles.co.uk won't replace the handset as I'm 2 days outside the warranty. The two days they'd blacklisted me. They have no proof it was new when i bought it and no one can tell me why it was blacklisted. Was it issued to sum1 else and an insurance claim? Will i have issues if a fault occurs in the next 23mths? Umm going to trading standards on this one. Goods not fit fit purpose.

keith1950

Had several contracts with mobiles.co.uk over the years and have always had great deals , good service and where applicable efficient cashback process. Due to a mistake they make I even got two completely free mobiles a few years ago....both top of the range Samsung Galaxy's.
There will always be an occasion unhappy customer but I think with mobiles.co.uk it's probably more down to genuine mistakes rather than anything underhand.

mobilejunkie

Shazzmatazz wrote: »

Avoid this company like the plague. Bought new phone a month ago. Got a pink line on phone and lost connection. Took it to samsung who said the handset was blacklisted plus muy mobile # had been issued also to someone else in the same day shock is why no one could find my details on file. Vodafone unblocked it but now mobiles.co.uk won't replace the handset as I'm 2 days outside the warranty. The two days they'd blacklisted me. They have no proof it was new when i bought it and no one can tell me why it was blacklisted. Was it issued to sum1 else and an insurance claim? Will i have issues if a fault occurs in the next 23mths? Umm going to trading standards on this one. Goods not fit fit purpose.

That can't be true. You got it a month ago and reckon it's two days outside the warranty? You have not been accurate.

sevenonine

I've been interested in all the posts on the above company. Can you tell me whether it is also called 4Mobiles.co.uk - if not, has anyone had experience with 4Mobiles.co.uk?