2007
Consumer Direct South West is urging consumers across the region to be alert when shopping for the latest sought after mobile phone. It can be confusing with all the different deals that are on offer and it can be easy to make the wrong decision when shopping under pressure.
20 December 2007
Whilst the attraction of buying the latest model at any time of year is appealing, there are many seemingly unbelievable deals on offer as Christmas approaches, and no doubt more that will surface come January.
Staggeringly, Oftel reports over 50 million of us in the UK have a mobile phone, whilst the Office for National Statistics confirms that 82% of 12-15 year olds own a mobile – and 50% of 8-11 year olds.
Mobile phones (service agreements) were themselves the second most complained about goods or service in the South West in the 12 months up to November 2007 with the advisors in the South West receiving 4,037 calls about them.
It appears that some of the deals offered, in store or by way of unsolicited telephone calls, may not always turn out to be as good as you thought or are led to believe.
Always exercise extreme caution if you receive an unsolicited call from who you believe to be your existing airtime provider. It could be someone else selling a new contract which might mean you then have two contracts to pay. Always check if your existing contract is in fact nearing its expiry. Most are for 18 months.
Beware of cashback offers – increasingly, terms of redemption can be onerous and the sums of cashback offered wholly unrealistic. It’s the seller NOT the airtime provider who usually offers the cashback – make sure you know how to claim and any deadlines and paperwork you require.
Clive Kenyon, Centre Manager at Consumer Direct South West said:
'Its easy to become confused with all the different types of phones and contracts on offer so please take time to read the terms and conditions of your service agreement properly before you commit yourself as once a contract has been signed it’s legally binding and you’re committed to using the network for the outlined period.'
Clive added:
'Ask as many questions as you can: who are they calling from, what does the small print say, how likely and straightforward is it that you will get the cashback, is there a cooling-off period, read the paperwork – and, as always, if it seems just too good to be true – it probably is.'
Consumer Direct South West has come up with these top tips:
- Shop around – Before you buy, decide how much you can afford. Include the cost of any additional payments such as insurance.
- Check the range of coverage with the Network Service Provider in your area.
- Read terms and conditions carefully before signing the contract as once it has been signed, it’s legally binding and you’re committed to using the network for the outlined period, at a certain tariff.
- You cannot simply opt out of a contract once signed - you have no rights should you simply change your mind.
- Make sure you know what is included in your price plan.
- Do not feel under pressure to sign the service agreement there and then.
- Once you’ve signed the contract and have the handset you must look after the phone in line with the instructions.
- If you have a problem with the network or SIM card contact the Network Service Provider. Check with the shop where you bought the phone if there is a problem with the handset.
- Don’t forget that once you’ve chosen your deal and signed up to a contract, you still have consumer rights.
For clear practical consumer advice,
call Consumer Direct South West on 08454 04 05 06
-ends-
Notes for Editors
1. Consumer Direct is a telephone and online consumer advice service funded by government and managed by the Office of Fair Trading. It operates in partnership with local authority Trading Standards Services to offer consumers clear, practical and impartial advice and information.
2. Consumer Direct has around 350 trained advisers in 11 contact centres across England, Wales and Scotland.
3. The information and advice helpline is available on a single national telephone number - 08454 04 05 06 from 0800 – 1830 Monday to Friday, and 0900 – 1300 Saturday, excluding bank holidays and public holidays.
4. A Welsh-speaking Consumer Direct service is available on 08454 04 05 05. Minicom users should call 08451 28 13 84.
5. Calls to the Consumer Direct 0845 numbers are charged at no more than four pence per minute from a BT landline. Call charges from other landline providers or mobile phones may vary. Please check the rate with your phone service provider.
6. Northern Ireland has its own service called Consumer Line which is similar to Consumer Direct. Visit the ConsumerLine website.
7. The number of households which own a mobile phone has increased from 27% in 1998-1999 to 79% in 2005-2006. Statistics taken from the National Statistics website.
MEDIA enquiries: Kate Prosser: 01209 720281 or mobile 07973 813747.
