Can someone explain mobile phones?

[emily1982]

I am currently on a Vodafone contract but my phone has major issues and has since i've pretty much had it. Phones4utold me they could send it off but it might take 2 weeks and i'd be without a phone, the insurance company told me the same, so now i've come to the conlcusion that i'll just buy a cheap mobile and stick the card in.

So can i put my vodafone contract sim card into any phone??

 

[Tillybud]

that is really bad, what sort of problems are you having ? if it's network related, eg no coverage in your area then there may be a chance you could get out of the contract. In terms of buying a mobile, a lot of them are actually locked to a certain network, eg orange, vodafone, etc so you need to be aware of this when buying a phone but most markets, etc have an unlocking service for about a tenner which means you can use any network sim card in the phone. Handset manufacturers will say if you unlock a mobile phone via someone in the market, rather than the network provider it can invalidate your warranty but usually there are no problems when getting a phone unlocked. Anyhow I hope this helps,

 

[tennisfan]

It would work in a Sim free phone & I think any phone that has been unlocked & not linked to any network

 

[emily1982]

that is really bad, what sort of problems are you having ? if it's network related, eg no coverage in your area then there may be a chance you could get out of the contract. In terms of buying a mobile, a lot of them are actually locked to a certain network, eg orange, vodafone, etc so you need to be aware of this when buying a phone but most markets, etc have an unlocking service for about a tenner which means you can use any network sim card in the phone. Handset manufacturers will say if you unlock a mobile phone via someone in the market, rather than the network provider it can invalidate your warranty but usually there are no problems when getting a phone unlocked. Anyhow I hope this helps,

It's major problems are switching itself off and on, sending the texts hours later, ringing out but i can't actually hear the ringing and cutting people off...the network coverage is fine.

Apparently this is a known problem as my friend had issues too. Just really can't see the point of having insurance and i certainly won't be going back to Phones4u.

 

[Tillybud]

we had a similar issue with Carphone Warehouse and basically I went to Trading Standards, argued that the phone wasn't fit for purpose and managed to get a refund .. it took a bit of time but it was well worth it.

How long have you had the phone ? I know the sale of goods act was changed a few years ago and you have more rights up to around the 6 month mark, and that may help considering you have said you have had problems with it from the outset. It may also be a software problem which certain phone types appear to have.

I guess Phones 4 u offering to send the phone away may fall into the guidance in the sale of goods act but it may be worth considering if you could get something better than having to buy another phone. Hope you get something sorted soon.

 

[Cyrano]

We had a similar issue with Samsung and Orange. Both blamed each other.
Biggest issue I had was that Orange said they were providing line not phone

 

[emily1982]

I've had the phone since July and they have offered to send it off for free, but i've come to the conclusion i can't not have a phone for 2 weeks.

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

When my phone was playing up i sent it away for free and used my brothers old mobile with my sim in for the meantime....8 weeks later it was unfixable so they sent me a brand new phone that was better than the one that broke....this was with Samsung though.

 

[JeromeH]

I am currently on a Vodafone contract but my phone has major issues and has since i've pretty much had it. Phones4utold me they could send it off but it might take 2 weeks and i'd be without a phone, the insurance company told me the same, so now i've come to the conlcusion that i'll just buy a cheap mobile and stick the card in.

So can i put my vodafone contract sim card into any phone??

Hi,

Most phones especially GSM are able to work on more than one network of the same type for example GSM Providers like Tmobile, Cingular, Att&T(GSM), Orange, and more can ALL use the same unlocked phones. Once your cellphone is unlocked, you can use any network or service provider’s utilities on your phone.

The mobile phone can be unlocked with a code that allows you to use another SIM card from a different network. You can obtain the services of the phone network but usually they charge quite high. This will not be available till your term ends with the service provider.You can use an online unlock service which is convenient and cheaper.You can purchase a special unlocking clip or software.

 

[Deedee]

Hi Emily why don't you ask if you can have a loan phone while they send yours away.

 

[Netty]

I've had the phone since July and they have offered to send it off for free, but i've come to the conclusion i can't not have a phone for 2 weeks.

Emily they are supposed to provide you with a mobile while yours is getting fixed