topic Re: Beware of Tablet Deception in Other phones & Devices

Beware of Tablet Deception

katiemills6 — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 12:43:59 GMT

I went to the EE store near Oxford Circle to upgrade my phone - I was given a 'free' tablet - to all customers please beware of this deception - the salesperson most likely will not tell you the SIM will be charged to you each month and you will be locked in a contract. I never was told about these additions and I most certainly didn't know I was being locked in another contract for a 'free' device. The way this scam is being perpetrated is the definition of deceptive selling and consumer manipulation. I called customer care and was told to go to the store as the tablet couldn't be removed.

Apparently, this has been going on for some years - I intend to go to report this matter to every agency I can, including writing media agencies.

Shame on EE for this misleading and unethical tactic.

Re: Beware of Tablet Deception

chistery — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 14:06:08 GMT

The last time I had the "Free" tablet spiel it did include something about a monthly charge but would certainly be easy to miss.

As always, if it sounds too good to be true, there's a catch somewhere. No company is going to just give out a free tablet

Re: Beware of Tablet Deception

katiemills6 — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 14:09:45 GMT

I had no idea - and the way the salesperson handled this I feel was deceptive. I also did some digging and it’s been going on for a bit with a fair amount of people having the same experience as me. I am going to try to get some attention to this matter.

Re: Beware of Tablet Deception

Northerner — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 15:25:11 GMT

Hi @katiemills6

Sadly this is not the first post on this same tactic used by in-store sales staff. As @chistery says anything if offered for "free" should be questioned as technically the tablet is "free" but you're paying for an unwanted tariff.

It is just an underhanded sales tactic and I doubt would hold up in court under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 but as most people are unaware of feel embarrassed for falling for this misdirected sales tactic then nobody takes any action.

Thanks

Re: Beware of Tablet Deception

katiemills6 — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 15:32:25 GMT

I don’t feel embarrassed - I feel upset that the company would try to fleece me. I am reporting this to all available agencies.

Re: Beware of Tablet Deception

Linzi_H — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:22:22 GMT

Hi @katiemills6

I'm concerned to hear that this has been your experience with one of our stores, and I can completely understand why it's left you feeling upset.

Please Fill out our complaints form if you haven't done so already, and a dedicated member of the team will get back in touch within 7 days to discuss your concerns.

Linzi

Re: Beware of Tablet Deception

katiemills6 — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:32:49 GMT

Thanks for responding - I did complete and submit a form. I think this a larger problem and I am truly disappointed in EE.

Re: Beware of Tablet Deception

Patt1 — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:44:02 GMT

I had this happen when I upgraded my mobile phone plan in April 2024, I was sold a story about migrating my BT broadband to EE & offered an Apple Ipad to go with my new iPhone plan, the migration to EE broadband kept failing & I was stuck with a tablet plan of £38 per month that I did not want or need as I already had my Amazon fire tablet that was fine to use. A month of back and forth to the top person at EE to cancel the ipad plan & also I reverted back to my BT broadband which I am happy with. Next time I upgrade my phone plan, I will put my foot down and be more assertive to any pressure selling. This happened at the Folkestone EE store & the manager there wouldn't help, luckily the person higher up did eventually sort all this out.

Re: Beware of Tablet Deception

katiemills6 — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 18:03:14 GMT

Thanks for sharing. I think this is a complete breakdown in trust by EE and these are manipulative practices on their part. I am sending an email to consumer agencies letting them know.

Re: Beware of Tablet Deception

KR1973 — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 19:31:02 GMT

I have had exactly the same issue. Thankfully I took my contract upgrade out over the phone and realised about the extra sim contract for the tablet just before my 14 day cool off period so now in the process of returning it (which has been a ridiculous rigmarole of delays, but that is a different story).

I have raised a complaint with EE anyway as the contract was definitely mis-sold. I repeatedly asked during the sales process about whether there was an extra charge for the tablet as I have never needed one and was told no.

Seems this has been going on for years. It is disgusting.

Re: Beware of Tablet Deception

Natashawent — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:24:36 GMT

This has just happened to me, and my colleague says its happened to her too.

Theyre deleting phone call recordings after 6 months now too. So, had my first written bill today for the "free tablet" from last August, I argued i didnt want the tablet and got forced into having it.

Rung to complain today. Ended up hanging up on them, then had a text to say complaint closed.... it is not closed. What a scam

Ee should be ashamed!

Re: Beware of Tablet Deception

Leanne_T — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 15:52:23 GMT

Hi there @Natashawent

I'm very sorry you've had this experience when you called.

If a complaint has been closed, you can request to have this re-opened again by calling or using the online complaint form, at any point within 28 days. Once this has been looked into the team will get in touch to discuss the account with you.

You can also check out the full details of our complaints and escalation process here:

EE Complaints Code of Practice - March 2024

Leanne.

Re: Beware of Tablet Deception

Chris_B — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:02:19 GMT

@Natashawent Why did you hang up that resolve nothing, Did you not look at your bills on your account? Do you not look at your account to see there was an additional line on your account? You’ve had this since August that’s 6 months and now it’s a problem.

Re: Beware of Tablet Deception

chrisjp1 — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:03:52 GMT

I'm afraid this is a sympton of EE - and BT - putting all their agents, both in-store and on the telephone, on commission to upsell customers to new devices and new contracts. The less scrupulous agents then use the underhand tactics described to maximise their commission.

What is even more unacceptable is when the manager of a store refuses to take action when presented with evidence of such mis-selling by one of his staff.