Why buy from the High Street?

Guys_Dad

I have had a number of mobiles over the years - from CPW, from OSPS (when cashbacks had a good reputation so you can see how long I have had mobiles!) and direct from the network.
My 18-month contract is coming to its end in May so I have been looking for a new deal. Visiting the High Street independents, I found that neither of the big names could match the deal that Orange offered me unsolicited - Dolphin 35 for £25 per month plus a decent free phone. Not even if I took out a new Orange contract.
So this raised the question in my mind - why would anyone already on a contract buy from the High Street? After all, they are all selling the same product as the networks ( free phone plus a contract ) so it simply comes down to who sells it to me cheaper or who gives me more for the same money. In both cases, it seems that the networks are offering better renewal terms than High Street shops can offer on new contracts. So what is their future?
I can understand first time contracts from the High Street or those wanting to switch networks. I understand when network shops (Orange, O2 etc) are able to offer the same deal as 150. I can understand PAYG customers going to CPW or similar as well. I can also understand the optomistic and naive going over the internet or phone for cashback deals. Don't get me wrong - I am very grateful for the High Street shops allowing me to test drive the phones but I won't be placing my new contract with them when my network offers me a better deal.
Unless I am missing something, of course.

mobilejunkie

It seems to me you are placing yourself in the optimistic/naive category since you have used cashback deals. I am neither but only use them and will continue to do so as long as I know exactly what I'm doing. Of course, most who do these deals don't. As for the high street - people buy convenience and fashion. Impulse also pays a part. I think there will always be a place for shops.

Guys_Dad

At the time when I used cashbacks (Sony Ericcsson T610 was the last I got from OSPS)- a long time ago - the vendors were not using their dirty tricks to the extent that they are nowadays. You didn't have to be quite so optimistic or naive then. It was even before they sent out reclaim vouchers with the phones.
But things have changed, as you are aware, and your many helpful posts on this subject would indicate that you are as aware of the pitfalls as I am.
I am very willing to increase change my definition of those who buy from cashback sites to read "optimistic, naive and old hands who know what they are doing, such as mobilejunkie"

My real point, however, is that the future for all these High Street shops looks a lot less promising if the networks are beginning to offer - as they seem to be - better deals that the shops can offer and people who renew contracts with them would seem to be wasting their money and isn't that what moneysaving expert is all about?

mobilejunkie

The vast majority of people don't search on here regarding mobile phones. The vast majority of those who have entrusted me to order for them never had (or were likely to have) a contract. People I work with mainly use PAYT despite it costing a lot more. I believe the networks have squeezed virtually all half-decent internet dealers out of business (plus some distinctly non-decent ones!) and their deals won't help shops. However, I still believe shops have a substantial role in the market place; indeed, the internet branches of the main players have always offered substantially better deals - yet the shops seem to thrive. I don't think the dealers would be quite as keen to outprice the main players because it would be a short-term gain. Phones are technical and subjective products. People like to play with them and ask questions face-to-face - and feel they can go back into the shop if they subsequently have a problem.

Kilty_2

I'm on a SIM Only contract (which I bought online, right enough, haha) so use a PAYG phone - I'd buy from Carphone Warehouse on the high street every time since their stock is unlocked and unbranded.

Networks make too much of a mess of phone firmware for my liking.