Vodafone ditches Phones 4u

Darth-Habib · 01-09-2014, 11:53

First three and o2, now vodafone.

Vodafone also announces that it will be extending its arrangement with Dixons Carphone
Phones 4u was plunged into crisis after Vodafone opted against renewing its network agreement with the retailer which expires in February.

http://www.mobilenewscwp.co.uk/2014/...hes-phones-4u/

Resonance · 01-09-2014, 15:56

Aren't EE doing the same? Or is that just a rumour?

KieranDS · 01-09-2014, 16:04

You know it's bad when Vodafone ditch you

bottleofbest · 01-09-2014, 18:12

Me thinks Phones4U won't be around for much longer at this rate!

moox · 01-09-2014, 23:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by bottleofbest

Me thinks Phones4U won't be around for much longer at this rate!

Given their reputation for high pressure selling and mis-selling, perhaps that's not a bad thing

Aye Up · 01-09-2014, 23:13

EE is currently reviewing all of its retail operations through direct and indirect sales. Oddly they are beginning to rationalise their own retail estate by removing duplication where present and lunching its foot print in areas where it doesn't exist. Due to the 4G auction networks are wanting a faster bigger return on their investment, using a third party cuts into the margins of contract/payg customers. This is one of the reasons Three ditched their indirect sales and took it all in house, they now control the end to end journey a customer takes when either renewing or signing up for a new deal. The other operators have been eyeing this for a while and have noticed the success Three has had without third party sellers.

I also think its down to the sales practices that P4U employs, they are very aggressive in the sales process to get you to commit, they are driven by profit and incentive payments some thing most of the other networks and CPW got rid of. You will usually find now that retail operations of the networks don't run so much of an incentive scheme that used to exist 4/5 years ago, the focus now is on service and ensuring it is completed to the customers liking. Networks are now realising the only way they can compete is by price and service, those margins are ate into when third parties like P4U are involved.

The Lord Lucan · 02-09-2014, 03:28

EE are ditching them too despite P4U offering them the Sun, the moon and some newbies soul (as no one else working there has one.)

Carl_Boys · 02-09-2014, 05:08

Havnt been in them shops in 9 years, as said very very aggressive sales, rude, and to me Havnt got a clue what there talking about tech wise. Good riddance!

Mythica · 02-09-2014, 13:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Lord Lucan

EE are ditching them too despite P4U offering them the Sun, the moon and some newbies soul (as no one else working there has one.)

Are or are thinking about it?

omnidirectional · 02-09-2014, 13:40

I noticed a statement yesterday which said they still have agreements with "EE, Orange and T-Mobile", as if they're three separate networks!

Aye Up · 02-09-2014, 14:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mythica

Are or are thinking about it?

An announcement is expect in their next quarterly update......but industry thinking i leaning towards an end to that partnership.

Mythica · 02-09-2014, 14:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aye Up

An announcement is expect in their next quarterly update......but industry thinking i leaning towards an end to that partnership.

So are thinking about it.

The Lord Lucan · 02-09-2014, 14:27

It's been in talks about ditching it and CPW for some time. From what i've been hearing both are in for the chop shortly.

Aye Up · 02-09-2014, 14:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Lord Lucan

It's been in talks about ditching it and CPW for some time. From what i've been hearing both are in for the chop shortly.

I think they will keep the CPW partnership given its pending merger with Dixons Group. Purely as its footprint outstrips that of any other electronics retailer...a partnership with CPW but in an increased way makes strategic sense. Apparently EE maybe looking into franchising again in the future and this is where CPW may come in, that is speculative going by information I was told by a friend in EE retail.

EDIT: To clarify this isn't I heard it along the grapevine, or me saying I heard it from a friend of a friend.....I don't deal in gossip usually but everything I have been told by said friend has come true so far.

Mythica · 02-09-2014, 14:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Lord Lucan

It's been in talks about ditching it and CPW for some time. From what i've been hearing both are in for the chop shortly.

I know it has, but you said "are".

japaul · 02-09-2014, 15:21

As part of this announcement Vodafone also said they would be 'enhancing' their distribution relationship with Dixons Carphone so at least Vodafone doesn't seem to be completely abandoning indirect.

The Lord Lucan · 02-09-2014, 15:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by japaul

As part of this announcement Vodafone also said they would be 'enhancing' their distribution relationship with Dixons Carphone so at least Vodafone doesn't seem to be completely abandoning indirect.

Indeed seeing Voda is literally going into partnership retail wise with CPW, My source is suggesting this is why CPW is getting the chop. P4U is a done deal i'm told but cannot be done immediately..

There is some confusion (read sources giving different answers) what and how BT might roll out with EE and who they will also partner with to promote this retail wise.

japaul · 02-09-2014, 22:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Lord Lucan

There is some confusion (read sources giving different answers) what and how BT might roll out with EE and who they will also partner with to promote this retail wise.

Presumably BT could strike a pretty good deal with P4U at the moment...

I know there's been talk of BT going into EE stores but this doesn't work for me. Yet another brand for EE stores and could they really trust EE to market BT side by side EE's own offerings. Plus I would think BT would want to be pushing quad play. Not sure how well EE stores are setup to demo all of that.

Maybe another option depending on how strong P4Us future is (especially if EE were to pull out) would be for BT to pick up some of the stores for themselves where P4U have to scale back (or perhaps the whole lot) and go back to BT branded stores on the high street to push all their quad play offerings.

Everything Goes · 05-09-2014, 10:17

More speculation over who will buy the Phones4u estate....

http://www.mobiletoday.co.uk/news/in...-purchase.aspx

Vodafone's contract with them expires in February 2015 so that should see them thorough Christmas at least.

catdogchicken · 06-09-2014, 07:40

They are absolute vultures in phones4U.

Back in the day (1999) I signed up deal for a Nokia 8810 on Vodafone for 200 (rolling, yes rolling over to subsequent months!) cross network minutes and 1000 minutes to Vodafone handsets and landline.

When all the paperwork was due to be signed. With my new shiny Nokia 8210 waiting to be manhandled, phones4U wanted me to take out insurance. To abridge this all it took 3 sales assistants (1 perched on the edge of the small table, 1 stood to the side of me and 1 who was dealing with the sale) constant pressuring and offers of free cases and repeating the dangers of breaking the phone without insurance cover. This went on for 20 minutes whereby I just got up and left without signing any contract.

They reminded me of the street sellers in Eygpt and Turkey who are desperate for a sale and whatever you buy isn't enough.

Good riddance to Phones4U and let's hope the management behind theae abominations don't get drafted into other mobile retail initiatives any time soon. We don't need this kind of shoddy money grabbing practitioners involved in retail in 2014.

The Lord Lucan · 08-09-2014, 00:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Everything Goes

More speculation over who will buy the Phones4u estate....

http://www.mobiletoday.co.uk/news/in...-purchase.aspx

Vodafone's contract with them expires in February 2015 so that should see them thorough Christmas at least.

That may end sooner depending on what happens in next month or so.
Nice to see another separate confirmation of what i'm hearing..

prking · 08-09-2014, 06:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by catdogchicken

They are absolute vultures in phones4U.

Back in the day (1999) I signed up deal for a Nokia 8810 on Vodafone for 200 (rolling, yes rolling over to subsequent months!) cross network minutes and 1000 minutes to Vodafone handsets and landline.

When all the paperwork was due to be signed. With my new shiny Nokia 8210 waiting to be manhandled, phones4U wanted me to take out insurance. To abridge this all it took 3 sales assistants (1 perched on the edge of the small table, 1 stood to the side of me and 1 who was dealing with the sale) constant pressuring and offers of free cases and repeating the dangers of breaking the phone without insurance cover. This went on for 20 minutes whereby I just got up and left without signing any contract.

They reminded me of the street sellers in Eygpt and Turkey who are desperate for a sale and whatever you buy isn't enough.

Good riddance to Phones4U and let's hope the management behind theae abominations don't get drafted into other mobile retail initiatives any time soon. We don't need this kind of shoddy money grabbing practitioners involved in retail in 2014.

That was fifteen years ago. The whole mobile business has changed so much since then.

DXRulz · 08-09-2014, 13:55

I bought a Sony Ericsson K750i (brand new, not refurb or anything) from P4U many years ago, would not connect to my PC or Laptop! Even tried a different USB cable, updated drivers, updated sony ericsson software. Different laptops/PC's with different windows to mine. Nothing... Took it back and they told me to go to Carphone Warehouse because they couldn't fix it, i said well i can't do that and why can't they refund or replace, i had a valid in date receipt and they basically told me tough. But it wasn't the carphone warehouse a few yards down, it was the one the otherside of Southampton (when i used to live there)

The phone came back to me from CPW 2 weeks later, i was using the disco phone as i call it, the Nokia 3220 as a temp and the K750i still had the same issue, so i sold it. And i haven't been in P4U since, or CPW for that matter!

Aye Up · 08-09-2014, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by DXRulz

I bought a Sony Ericsson K750i (brand new, not refurb or anything) from P4U many years ago, would not connect to my PC or Laptop! Even tried a different USB cable, updated drivers, updated sony ericsson software. Different laptops/PC's with different windows to mine. Nothing... Took it back and they told me to go to Carphone Warehouse because they couldn't fix it, i said well i can't do that and why can't they refund or replace, i had a valid in date receipt and they basically told me tough. But it wasn't the carphone warehouse a few yards down, it was the one the otherside of Southampton (when i used to live there)

The phone came back to me from CPW 2 weeks later, i was using the disco phone as i call it, the Nokia 3220 as a temp and the K750i still had the same issue, so i sold it. And i haven't been in P4U since, or CPW for that matter!

As prking mentioned the whole mobile industry has undergone massive change in recent years. Much of the practices of old have largely been eliminated from the network retail shops and that of CPW. Phones4U on the other hand have largely remained the same with their aggressive sales tactics, it isn't something that people come into the job knowing. Their training and company attitude is something that is instilled from a top down edict. The problem with third party resellers now is they are eating too much into the margins of the networks. Its why they are invariably expanding their footprint through franchising and deepened partnerships.

Eventually you will be able to go into retail shops to do a change of price plan or update direct debit details. Vodafone and Three already do this instore, I don't know the situation for O2 and EE as yet. Unless I am mistaken once the infrastructure upgrades take place for 4G and new spectrum.....everything from you buying a device and attached airtime, to basic after sales support will be handled in store. Stores are expensive to run, so it would come as no surprise to see their uses and abilities upgraded so to speak over the long term.

Darth-Habib · 08-09-2014, 21:21

Every time I've been in a phones4u it has been a horrific experience.

Last year, I had a family member coming over from America for 4 months, and I had an phone for him for him to use.

I went to EE to get an additional 30 day SIM only deal onto my account, they didn't have a nano-sim, so toodled into phones4u on the same street.

Honestly, it must have taken 30 mins arguing the toss, and threatening to walk out, to get the sim only deal, they were like, you should take out a 24 month contract with a phone or a 12 months SIM only deal.

They just wouldn't accept he'd be here for only 4 months and we already had a EE compatible phone.

01-09-2014, 11:53	#1
Darth-Habib Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 455	Vodafone ditches Phones 4u First three and o2, now vodafone. Vodafone also announces that it will be extending its arrangement with Dixons Carphone Phones 4u was plunged into crisis after Vodafone opted against renewing its network agreement with the retailer which expires in February. http://www.mobilenewscwp.co.uk/2014/...hes-phones-4u/

01-09-2014, 15:56	#2
Resonance Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 9,212	Aren't EE doing the same? Or is that just a rumour?

01-09-2014, 16:04	#3
KieranDS Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: London Posts: 15,938	You know it's bad when Vodafone ditch you

01-09-2014, 18:12	#4
bottleofbest Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: west midlands Posts: 5,968	Me thinks Phones4U won't be around for much longer at this rate!

01-09-2014, 23:06	#5
moox Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 14,645	Quote: Originally Posted by bottleofbest Me thinks Phones4U won't be around for much longer at this rate! Given their reputation for high pressure selling and mis-selling, perhaps that's not a bad thing

01-09-2014, 23:13	#6
Aye Up Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: North West Posts: 4,885	EE is currently reviewing all of its retail operations through direct and indirect sales. Oddly they are beginning to rationalise their own retail estate by removing duplication where present and lunching its foot print in areas where it doesn't exist. Due to the 4G auction networks are wanting a faster bigger return on their investment, using a third party cuts into the margins of contract/payg customers. This is one of the reasons Three ditched their indirect sales and took it all in house, they now control the end to end journey a customer takes when either renewing or signing up for a new deal. The other operators have been eyeing this for a while and have noticed the success Three has had without third party sellers. I also think its down to the sales practices that P4U employs, they are very aggressive in the sales process to get you to commit, they are driven by profit and incentive payments some thing most of the other networks and CPW got rid of. You will usually find now that retail operations of the networks don't run so much of an incentive scheme that used to exist 4/5 years ago, the focus now is on service and ensuring it is completed to the customers liking. Networks are now realising the only way they can compete is by price and service, those margins are ate into when third parties like P4U are involved.

02-09-2014, 03:28	#7
The Lord Lucan Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Scotland Posts: 4,966	EE are ditching them too despite P4U offering them the Sun, the moon and some newbies soul (as no one else working there has one.)

02-09-2014, 05:08	#8
Carl_Boys Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 164	Havnt been in them shops in 9 years, as said very very aggressive sales, rude, and to me Havnt got a clue what there talking about tech wise. Good riddance!

02-09-2014, 13:21	#9
Mythica Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,697	Quote: Originally Posted by The Lord Lucan EE are ditching them too despite P4U offering them the Sun, the moon and some newbies soul (as no one else working there has one.) Are or are thinking about it?

02-09-2014, 13:40	#10
omnidirectional Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 10,879	I noticed a statement yesterday which said they still have agreements with "EE, Orange and T-Mobile", as if they're three separate networks!

02-09-2014, 14:20	#11
Aye Up Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: North West Posts: 4,885	Quote: Originally Posted by Mythica Are or are thinking about it? An announcement is expect in their next quarterly update......but industry thinking i leaning towards an end to that partnership.

02-09-2014, 14:25	#12
Mythica Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,697	Quote: Originally Posted by Aye Up An announcement is expect in their next quarterly update......but industry thinking i leaning towards an end to that partnership. So are thinking about it.

02-09-2014, 14:27	#13
The Lord Lucan Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Scotland Posts: 4,966	It's been in talks about ditching it and CPW for some time. From what i've been hearing both are in for the chop shortly.

02-09-2014, 14:40	#14
Aye Up Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: North West Posts: 4,885	Quote: Originally Posted by The Lord Lucan It's been in talks about ditching it and CPW for some time. From what i've been hearing both are in for the chop shortly. I think they will keep the CPW partnership given its pending merger with Dixons Group. Purely as its footprint outstrips that of any other electronics retailer...a partnership with CPW but in an increased way makes strategic sense. Apparently EE maybe looking into franchising again in the future and this is where CPW may come in, that is speculative going by information I was told by a friend in EE retail. EDIT: To clarify this isn't I heard it along the grapevine, or me saying I heard it from a friend of a friend.....I don't deal in gossip usually but everything I have been told by said friend has come true so far.

02-09-2014, 14:55	#15
Mythica Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,697	Quote: Originally Posted by The Lord Lucan It's been in talks about ditching it and CPW for some time. From what i've been hearing both are in for the chop shortly. I know it has, but you said "are".

02-09-2014, 15:21	#16
japaul Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 1,662	As part of this announcement Vodafone also said they would be 'enhancing' their distribution relationship with Dixons Carphone so at least Vodafone doesn't seem to be completely abandoning indirect.

02-09-2014, 15:28	#17
The Lord Lucan Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Scotland Posts: 4,966	Quote: Originally Posted by japaul As part of this announcement Vodafone also said they would be 'enhancing' their distribution relationship with Dixons Carphone so at least Vodafone doesn't seem to be completely abandoning indirect. Indeed seeing Voda is literally going into partnership retail wise with CPW, My source is suggesting this is why CPW is getting the chop. P4U is a done deal i'm told but cannot be done immediately.. There is some confusion (read sources giving different answers) what and how BT might roll out with EE and who they will also partner with to promote this retail wise.

02-09-2014, 22:54	#18
japaul Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 1,662	Quote: Originally Posted by The Lord Lucan There is some confusion (read sources giving different answers) what and how BT might roll out with EE and who they will also partner with to promote this retail wise. Presumably BT could strike a pretty good deal with P4U at the moment... I know there's been talk of BT going into EE stores but this doesn't work for me. Yet another brand for EE stores and could they really trust EE to market BT side by side EE's own offerings. Plus I would think BT would want to be pushing quad play. Not sure how well EE stores are setup to demo all of that. Maybe another option depending on how strong P4Us future is (especially if EE were to pull out) would be for BT to pick up some of the stores for themselves where P4U have to scale back (or perhaps the whole lot) and go back to BT branded stores on the high street to push all their quad play offerings.

05-09-2014, 10:17	#19
Everything Goes Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In the future.... Posts: 11,259	More speculation over who will buy the Phones4u estate.... http://www.mobiletoday.co.uk/news/in...-purchase.aspx Vodafone's contract with them expires in February 2015 so that should see them thorough Christmas at least.

06-09-2014, 07:40	#20
catdogchicken Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 23	They are absolute vultures in phones4U. Back in the day (1999) I signed up deal for a Nokia 8810 on Vodafone for 200 (rolling, yes rolling over to subsequent months!) cross network minutes and 1000 minutes to Vodafone handsets and landline. When all the paperwork was due to be signed. With my new shiny Nokia 8210 waiting to be manhandled, phones4U wanted me to take out insurance. To abridge this all it took 3 sales assistants (1 perched on the edge of the small table, 1 stood to the side of me and 1 who was dealing with the sale) constant pressuring and offers of free cases and repeating the dangers of breaking the phone without insurance cover. This went on for 20 minutes whereby I just got up and left without signing any contract. They reminded me of the street sellers in Eygpt and Turkey who are desperate for a sale and whatever you buy isn't enough. Good riddance to Phones4U and let's hope the management behind theae abominations don't get drafted into other mobile retail initiatives any time soon. We don't need this kind of shoddy money grabbing practitioners involved in retail in 2014.

08-09-2014, 00:37	#21
The Lord Lucan Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Scotland Posts: 4,966	Quote: Originally Posted by Everything Goes More speculation over who will buy the Phones4u estate.... http://www.mobiletoday.co.uk/news/in...-purchase.aspx Vodafone's contract with them expires in February 2015 so that should see them thorough Christmas at least. That may end sooner depending on what happens in next month or so. Nice to see another separate confirmation of what i'm hearing..

DS Forums

Vodafone ditches Phones 4u

08-09-2014, 06:39	#22
prking Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Weston-super-Mare Posts: 9,167	Quote: Originally Posted by catdogchicken They are absolute vultures in phones4U. Back in the day (1999) I signed up deal for a Nokia 8810 on Vodafone for 200 (rolling, yes rolling over to subsequent months!) cross network minutes and 1000 minutes to Vodafone handsets and landline. When all the paperwork was due to be signed. With my new shiny Nokia 8210 waiting to be manhandled, phones4U wanted me to take out insurance. To abridge this all it took 3 sales assistants (1 perched on the edge of the small table, 1 stood to the side of me and 1 who was dealing with the sale) constant pressuring and offers of free cases and repeating the dangers of breaking the phone without insurance cover. This went on for 20 minutes whereby I just got up and left without signing any contract. They reminded me of the street sellers in Eygpt and Turkey who are desperate for a sale and whatever you buy isn't enough. Good riddance to Phones4U and let's hope the management behind theae abominations don't get drafted into other mobile retail initiatives any time soon. We don't need this kind of shoddy money grabbing practitioners involved in retail in 2014. That was fifteen years ago. The whole mobile business has changed so much since then.

08-09-2014, 13:55	#23
DXRulz Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oswestry, Shropshire Posts: 4,196	I bought a Sony Ericsson K750i (brand new, not refurb or anything) from P4U many years ago, would not connect to my PC or Laptop! Even tried a different USB cable, updated drivers, updated sony ericsson software. Different laptops/PC's with different windows to mine. Nothing... Took it back and they told me to go to Carphone Warehouse because they couldn't fix it, i said well i can't do that and why can't they refund or replace, i had a valid in date receipt and they basically told me tough. But it wasn't the carphone warehouse a few yards down, it was the one the otherside of Southampton (when i used to live there) The phone came back to me from CPW 2 weeks later, i was using the disco phone as i call it, the Nokia 3220 as a temp and the K750i still had the same issue, so i sold it. And i haven't been in P4U since, or CPW for that matter!

08-09-2014, 21:02	#24
Aye Up Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: North West Posts: 4,885	Quote: Originally Posted by DXRulz I bought a Sony Ericsson K750i (brand new, not refurb or anything) from P4U many years ago, would not connect to my PC or Laptop! Even tried a different USB cable, updated drivers, updated sony ericsson software. Different laptops/PC's with different windows to mine. Nothing... Took it back and they told me to go to Carphone Warehouse because they couldn't fix it, i said well i can't do that and why can't they refund or replace, i had a valid in date receipt and they basically told me tough. But it wasn't the carphone warehouse a few yards down, it was the one the otherside of Southampton (when i used to live there) The phone came back to me from CPW 2 weeks later, i was using the disco phone as i call it, the Nokia 3220 as a temp and the K750i still had the same issue, so i sold it. And i haven't been in P4U since, or CPW for that matter! As prking mentioned the whole mobile industry has undergone massive change in recent years. Much of the practices of old have largely been eliminated from the network retail shops and that of CPW. Phones4U on the other hand have largely remained the same with their aggressive sales tactics, it isn't something that people come into the job knowing. Their training and company attitude is something that is instilled from a top down edict. The problem with third party resellers now is they are eating too much into the margins of the networks. Its why they are invariably expanding their footprint through franchising and deepened partnerships. Eventually you will be able to go into retail shops to do a change of price plan or update direct debit details. Vodafone and Three already do this instore, I don't know the situation for O2 and EE as yet. Unless I am mistaken once the infrastructure upgrades take place for 4G and new spectrum.....everything from you buying a device and attached airtime, to basic after sales support will be handled in store. Stores are expensive to run, so it would come as no surprise to see their uses and abilities upgraded so to speak over the long term.

08-09-2014, 21:21	#25
Darth-Habib Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 455	Every time I've been in a phones4u it has been a horrific experience. Last year, I had a family member coming over from America for 4 months, and I had an phone for him for him to use. I went to EE to get an additional 30 day SIM only deal onto my account, they didn't have a nano-sim, so toodled into phones4u on the same street. Honestly, it must have taken 30 mins arguing the toss, and threatening to walk out, to get the sim only deal, they were like, you should take out a 24 month contract with a phone or a 12 months SIM only deal. They just wouldn't accept he'd be here for only 4 months and we already had a EE compatible phone.