18 month phone contract, phone dies 14 months in, covered?

[eltax91]

Hi folks

I have a mobile on an 18 month plan from the "see what you can do" people. The microphone has packed in, so nobody can hear me talk. Said company are saying that the phone's warranty expired after 12 months and therefore I can't get it repaired/ replaced. So what do I pay them £xx per month for? Just for the free text/ minutes bundle. It's not an expensive phone, just a dull old Nokia, but I have ditched all my old one's (through Mizuma) and given the proceeds to CIN.

Should they be covering me or should I be shelling out for a new phone for 4 months?

[louiebaby]

Sounds to me like you're buggered mate...

Find a friend with an old one to lend you for the next four months, and read the small print next time.

Unlucky fella, I had to use a 10 year old phone when mine got nicked not long since...

[philthy]

You will have to get it fixed yourself.
Mobile phone companies are very poor with this sort of thing. Consider it this way. The phone is a gift for you taking out a contract to use their network. They will fix it early on of course, but 16 months in, not a chance.

[Soovy]

Your problem sorry.

You pay for the airtime and connection, not a handset.

[Maxf]

Is a 12month warranty actually the case anymore? Shouldn't the phone be fit for the expected purpose/length of time - which I'd argue would be the length of a phone contract at a minimum.

[DavidHM]

Same as with anything else, you can argue that the phone wasn't of satisfactory quality and thus failed prematurely, albeit outside warranty. However given the circumstances in which mobiles are used (outdoors, extensively, left in pockets, and the fact that

The options are basically either to upgrade with a new contract, get a cheap PAYG and use that with your contract SIM, or reduce the remaining monthly bill as far as possible by downgrading your package (if allowed) and then starting a new "real" contract elsewhere.

Edited by DavidHM on Friday 8th January 15:47

[Muzzer]

Maxf said:

Is a 12month warranty actually the case anymore? Shouldn't the phone be fit for the expected purpose/length of time - which I'd argue would be the length of a phone contract at a minimum.

The phone has been fit for the expected purpose/length of time - 12 months, which is what it was warranted for.

The phone is free in these deals, you pay for the airtime.

OP - your only hope is to say to them that you'll switch to another provider unless they give you another phone. They might then give you another handset on a new contract and end yours early.

If not, get a cheap phone from somewhere for a couple of months.

[jesusbuiltmycar]

DavidHM said:

Same as with anything else, you can argue that the phone wasn't of satisfactory quality and thus failed prematurely, albeit outside warranty.

The options are basically either to upgrade with a new contract, get a cheap PAYG and use that with your contract SIM, or reduce the remaining monthly bill as far as possible by downgrading your package (if allowed) and then starting a new "real" contract elsewhere.

Unofrtunatley contract mobile phones are not covered by the Sale Of Goods Act - the fall under the Supply of Goods and Services Act which is not as strict when it comes to fitness for purpose....

[hairyben]

yeah I had this with carphone warehouse- had phone 2 months, phone stopped working, they had it for the next few months, 3 attempted repairs, told them to replace it or go jump. "oh you can't do that sir, you're on a contract" "er yeah contract for a working phone, right?" "no, two contracts, one for a free phone and one for the airtime. haha"

All cellphone companies seem to be st though, evan if you have the overpriced insurance, which is why I've got a £100 sim-free phone and £10/month sim. Many years ago I had a business tariff on orange that included next day phone replacement, delivered within a 2hr window, which was ideal for someone who needs their phone, but no-one does anything like this anymore.

[pies]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nokia-3310-mobile-phone-unlo...

[SGirl]

Have you tried taking the battery out, leaving it a few minutes and then switching it all back on? My phone did exactly the same thing and it all worked again once it had a full reset.

[andy-xr]

What if my device needs a repair?
Nokia provides a Limited Manufacturer's Warranty for mobile devices sold in Europe. This warranty is 24 months for devices. During this time, you can contact any authorised Nokia service point if you experience a problem. Take your device and proof of purchase with you when you visit a service point. Find a Nokia service point near you.


http://shop.nokia.co.uk/nokia-uk/service.aspx?sect...

[Fer]

When I asked about my renewal (which is due RSN) on being offered a 24 month contract I asked about phone probs, and they said that it was covered for the length of the contract.

This was with a company between two and four, and I am not 100% sure I can trust them...

[750turbo]

Fer said:

When I asked about my renewal (which is due RSN) on being offered a 24 month contract I asked about phone probs, and they said that it was covered for the length of the contract.

This was with a company between two and four, and I am not 100% sure I can trust them...

Me too, N95 went on blink, 17 months into an 18 month contract. Had absolutely no problems getting it fixed. Took 5 days, and they even gave me a cheap loan phone.

[Rags]

If its vodafone they warranty the phone for 18months.

It may be a fcatory repair or refurb that you will receive as a replacement.

if that fails, I have a 6500 classic which you can have for a few quid. Its brand new. Nice phone.

[skenergysolution]

Samsung and Nokia usually have 24 month warranties on them.

Check upon their website using your IMEI no. (if you are using the above manufacturer's phone that is)

[ThunderSpook]

As above I'm pretty sure Nokia's have a 2 year warranty. You'll have to send it off to them for repair though.

The networks aren't usually interested in the phone after the first month or 3.

[Toni896]

Contact the manufacter of your phone, Samsung have just agreed to send me a new (and it seems slightly upgraded) phone and said (without me asking) the warrenty will start from scratch ... so full warrenty.

I had to send it back to them to be repaired 3 times each time outside the 12 month warrenty.

But what have yo got to lose, I would also expect most modern phone to last more than 14 months.

[cobra kid]

My Nokia 5800 has a 2 year warranty as it is a 2 year contract. I had this confirmed instore at Carphone Warehouse last Sunday as it went in for repair 11 months into the contract.