Being Ripped off

[a1anx]

Just received our first ee bill £103 monthly charge for 2 phones + contract. Our previous monthly bill was £40 with another carrier. Our mistake was in not realising that monthly charge did not drop upon ownership of the phones (after 6 months) but that we would pay £103 for the full 2 years. We were also not informed that the 14 cooling off period did not apply in store. In my view this is sharp practice if not borderline fraud. I.e. failure to disclose information which may affect the decision as to whether to enter a contract or not.

How did this situation come about ?  I  wandered into an ee shop to enquire about new phones. I was told that they only sold phones on contract but that you would own them after 6 months, no mention of the fact that the monthly charge remained the same. Seemed reasonable so we signed up. Big mistake!  In addition we were sold an expensive security package which we did get out of because bizarrely the 14 cooling off period did apply to this nevertheless it was a lot of hassle involving 2 × 60 mile round trips to the store  in addition the manager rang us the day after the initial visit urging me to make an appointment with the security company.  At this I really did smell a rat which caused us to read the contract carefully. BTW in store you don't get the opportunity to do this you sign on a tablet.

Anyway lessons learned. NEVER sign up for anything unless you fully understand the terms and conditions do not assume that the vendor is acting in good faith.

This sort of scam is not confined to mobile phone shops a couple of years ago we got 'done' by a firm of solicitors over writing a will.

[a1anx]

I should add that we will never do business with ee again.

[Chris_B]

@a1anx  You own the device after 6 months yes but you’ll still paying the agreed amount for the duration of the contract.  don’t forget that the call/texts and data are also being paid.    It just that the device is legally yours it doesn’t mean you’ve fully paid it off. 

Did it state anywhere in the contract that after 6 months it’ll be XXXX cost ?   Unfortunately that was your assumption and if you wasn’t sure you could have asked at the point of sale.     The 14 day cooling off period is for online and phone sales as that’s the law as it’s called distance selling and at the store the product is in front of you to see so you know exactly what you are getting.        

 If you’re ever unsure about something just ask before you agree to a minimum term contract and  don’t assume and complain after the fact because you didn’t speak up when you could have.   

[bristolian]

My comments below are directed at the phone sale, not any add-ons.

Most, if not all, UK operators work this way - that you have a fixed monthly subscription cost with a minimum contractual term. Any time-limited discounts or reductions after a certain time period, should be clearly set out.

Online & telephone-based sales in the UK come with a statutory 14days "change of mind" right of return, this is not so with face-to-face retail shop purchases on the basis that you have ample opportunity to inspect the goods or services prior to purchase. Some popular consumer finance programmes have featured this exact point.

If you're ever unsure about a potential purchase, you should simply walk away until you are - this doesn't just apply to telecoms,

[a1anx]

The problem is that we acted in good faith and the sales person did not.

But never mind I'll never do business with ee again.....lesson learned.

[Chris_B]

@a1anx  In what way didn’t they ?  Did you ask any questions about what you’re now complaining about?    Il say you didn’t and I’ll definitely say you didn’t understand the contract you agreed too.    Sorry to say but not understanding a contract and agreeing to that contract lies with you no one else.    

[a1anx]

I have made the situation clear. If you choose to misrepresent it that's up to you. It's a lesson learned and will never do business with ee again.

[Chris_B]

@a1anx   You very clearly didn’t understand any of the contract that you agreed too but still agreed to it and are trying to take no responsibility for that lack of understanding and its as simple as that.      

[a1anx]

Never got a chance to read the contract. Anyway tired of you. Hope ee make
it worth your while.

[bristolian]

---

@a1anx wrote:
Never got a chance to read the contract.

---

This statement intrigues me, given the subject matter

Was this because of 1) Not being shown the contract? In which case how were you able to sign it?

Or 2) Being shown it, but making a conscious decision to not be sure of its contents? The latter would be a buyers issue, not sellers - I feel.

Any complaint or legal avenue would, I suspect, expect the above points to be addressed.