Broken mobile phone

[ZebUK]

In March this year bought a cheap Alcatel mobile phone from Phones 4U on the Simplicity deal (month-by-month contract).

The mobile has just died, Phones 4U are offering to send it off - can we ask for a replacement or different phone of same value or must we wait for the repairs to be made?

[Nibble]

You should be able to get a "pool" phone for your use whilst your usual phone is in the repair cycle, as to which phone will be offered, I'm afraid it'll be up to the store to advise. However, the T&C's for Phones4U should be as follows:

http://support.phones...portalPageId=10256075

[tonywiltshire]

You are protected by the sale of goods act 1979/94, and the consumer protection act 1987.
Your statutory rights are that goods must match their description.
Be of satisfactory quality.
Suitable and fit for purpose.
The term was originally “merchantable quality” but was amended by the 94 act to read satisfactory, which is much more straightforward word, remember everything is taken into account including the price paid.
I would argue that a mobile telephone which works for only two months is not of satisfactory quality and would demand a return of your money or a replacement phone, whichever you prefer. Your remedy if refused would be the county court.

[ZebUK]

UPDATE!

After speaking to Phones4U on the phone they said it wasn't their policy to provide a temporary phone while one was in for repair but come into the store and we'll phone head office and see what can be done.

Walked into city centre to visit store. Manager in there wouldn't even try phoning said it head office wouldn't provide one so we walked out.

Went next door into O2 store and told them what happened expecting to buy a new cheap phone.

What we ended up doing was going back to Phones4U for a proof of purchase printed by them to show we bought the Alcatel from there then went back to O2 shop. They sent the Alcatel away for FREE repairs, gave us a temporary replacement mobile for FREE and asked no money from us whatsoever.

O2 said that we have absolutely no need to go back to Phones4U from now on for anything as we can pay the monthly bill for the Simplicity contract in there.

Result!