Phones 4U caught mis-selling
Phones 4 U has been in the news again – for all the wrong reasons. They have been under investigation by Ofcom for the last 6 months, in response to the high number of consumer complaints regarding hidden charges, mis-selling and poor customer service.
The telecoms regulator found them guilty of engaging in the following practices which are both unfair and unlawful:
- Mis-selling phones to customers by making untrue or misleading statements regarding network coverage, what elements would be included in service agreements, cancellation rights and upgrades.
- Not providing refunds in respect of faulty handsets
- Use of unfair terms in their ‘chequeback’ schemes and handset returns policy
Although Phones4U was not fined, they have signed a legally binding Enforcement Order, requiring them to improve or face prosecution.
Does any of this sound familiar to you? Chances are it does. Once again, complaints regarding mobile phone contracts and handsets feature prominently in Consumer Direct’s top ten for 2008. Take a look at What Consumer’s mobile phones guide for more on consumer rights, or look at Ofcom’s web site if you are finding that your complaints are falling on deaf ears.
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This happened to me, sales rep in store made claims to encourage me to sign contract (which were untrue). When I complained to the manager he threatened my with poor credit score if I didn’t continue the contract.
I also fell victim to this, They added insurance to my contract after i denied it i did not find this hidden charge untill 14 months after my contract had expired. They refused to refund me after i cancelled the direct debit and threatened me with bad credit.
They also had a phone listed on my contract that i had never even heard of never mind signed for. They also claimed the phone was capable of things it was not, then upon addressing the issues they denied saying it although i have 2 witnesses.
After 18 months i got a new contract with 3 directly because wild lions would not make me go back to Phones 4 u, or should i say clowns 4 u.
Only to find out 13 months after that, after ringing 3 that i was with an independant dealer although the phone call claimed to be on behalf of 3.
3 Customer care claimed i was with Phones 4u. Phones 4 u refuse to acknowledge my complaints or issues although they do call me trying to sell me a contract every month.
AVOID PHONES/CLOWNS 4U
They refuse to refund or exchange battery chargers that are faulty.
Sorry phones 4 you
Sad 4 you
I fell victim to phones4U con as well. My daughter who’s abroad most of the time wanted to use BBM to keep in touch with all her friend. We went in Phones 4U in Meadowhall Sheffield, after stressing this requirement of using BBM abroad, we were assured the contract offered is “Free worldwide BBM”! Only when my daughter started using the phone, we were told by the network that the contract does not include “Free worldwide BBM”! We went to the store comnplained about mis-selling, the saleperson apologised for misinforming. When we asked for ways of correcting this, Manager Andy did not do anything but to log my complaint to headoffice, but instead of telling the truth, he told a big lie that use of BBM abroad was never mentioned. How appauling! Using it abroad was the only reason we bought the contract! Obviousy they will not have to have any responsibity if they lie as such! Now the matter remained unsolved. We are gettin charged for using BBM abroad as well as the contract amount which is a total waste when my daughter is abroad 30 wks annually. I would never ever shop with phones4U and have advised all friends not to as well, they did have quite a reputation in conning customers.
I have had a simular experiance with Phones4U. They sold me a mobile phone which was advertised as the upgrade to my previous one. The box was not opened in the shop, when I got it hope and opened it, the battery was completly bent and dented and the mobile was increadibly slow and much worse than the “older” model. I took it back, the manager who was there and sold me the phone, then told me I couldnt have a refund because it was only a cosmetic fault and refused to do anything about it. He also refused to say to head office that -he- did not open the box to check, just meerly said he was present when the phone was sold, he knew he had messed up!
I would -never- shop there again, they have terrible customer service. Stay away!
Hi,
I’ve faced the similar incident with Phones4U. Very worst customer service. In order to make you sign the contract, they’ll tell all the lies and false hopes and promises they can make. When I went for an upgrade for HTC desire they said had discontinued and offered me Samsung Galaxy for a higher monthly rate and said that’s the cheapest tariff available for this model on the network (Vodafone). After reaching home, I checked on net and shocked to know there are hell a lot of cheap and best options available for the same phone and with the same network. Also they have increased my contract from 18 months to 24 months, but vodafone is still offering 18 months contract. When I contacted the sales rep/manager in the shop, their tone was different and total useless in the service they offer. One thing they said was “you had signed the contract, now nothing can be done. You have to live with it for next 24 months”. Pathetic phones4u…they actually means to convey that “coming to phones4u means more problems4u!!!!
Please be very vigilant when you are dealing with them and better to stay away.
just went to get an iphone 4 from phones 4 u who told me ‘the FSA state it must only be sold with insurance at extra cost’
I told the store manager i have phone insurance via my bank account and home insurance yet he insisted it was a regulated requirement.
When i told him i work in financial serivces and recognised he is misselling a product i dont need – even though i told him i dont need it he admitted to me it was for his targets and bonus.
there is no way the FSA would force a consumer to buy something they dont need, he pointed to the sentence saying the insurance is FSA approved expecting me to not think otherwsie.
Not impressed, it took considerable arguing and threats to report him and phones 4 u until he changed his mind on the insurance.
Suffice to say i told them where to go and got my phone elesewhere
be warned, they are trained to con!