Beware of Tablet Deception

[katiemills6]

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.

[chistery]

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

[katiemills6]

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.

[Northerner]

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 

[katiemills6]

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

[Linzi_H · Accepted solution]

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 

[katiemills6]

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

[Patt1]

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. 

[katiemills6]

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. 

[KR1973]

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.