**NOTE: This is unlikely to affect people who have modern smartphones, but I'd still like some help on How to Complain to an Official Governing Body about Virgin Mobile thanks.**
Hi,
I have a smartphone and an old non-smart phone with SIM Only service both from Virgin Mobile. And VM are insisting I change the SIM for the old phone to a new SIM they sent me, or they will stop my service.
But when I try to put the IMEI number into the site (to see if they will accept my old model) it says it is invalid. So I don't want to chance putting the new SIM in.
Please read the text in italics below, that I posted to the Virgin Mobile forum on the VM site.
The post got rejected. So I posted on the Help page, and that was deleted as well.
I haven't been abusive. The only reason I can think of is that the question I asked in my post hit a nerve because I was right, and they are in fact forcing people to buy a newer phone in order to stay with Virgin Mobile. Here is a screenshot of the rejected post, and below that; the text of the original post that was rejected.
Post Title on VM: Mandatory SIM Change - Impossible for Old Phone Models:I have tried to follow the instructions to change the SIM for my model of phone Samsung Tocco Lite GT-S5230
Not only does the site not have my phone model, but when I press *#06# on the keypad to find the IMEI number, I am told:
"The IMEI you have entered is not valid. Please check your IMEI and resubmit."
Are you are trying to force customers to upgrade their phone to newer models?
Because if so, this is unacceptable. I already have a smartphone (also with a Virgin Media SIM) but I also want a phone that is just a phone, not a small computer with the potential to be hacked. I should not be forced to upgrade. I should be able to use whichever model I want.
And the more modern phone I have (that does NOT need its SIM changed) was without service for a WHOLE WEEK last month!
So why should I believe that the new SIM card will be any better?
And why won't the site accept my IMEI number?
Why would they delete my post, if they are not forcing people to buy a newer phone?
(They allow posts from other disgruntled customers, so I'm thinking it can't be just because I am unhappy with their service).
Are they allowed to force people to upgrade?
Surely we should be able to choose to have a non-smart phone if we want?
And how do I make a formal complaint? (NOT to Virgin - to a governing body)
Thank you
Look at it this way... In a hundred years who's gonna care?