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Orange Cooling-off Period
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kexy
23-02-2008
I'm trying to help a friend of mine out who signed up to an orange contract yesterday.

He signed up for the Orange Dolphin 35 and got a blackberry pearl (a phone he has no use for!) and was made to take out an blackberry browsing bundle for the internet.

He has no use for this bundle and tried to get it taken off and they won't let him - they say there's no cooling of period on his contract and he's now tied in and they won't do anything to help him out.

I know at o2 we have a 14 day return period but it seems strange for orange not have any period....

Anyway he's stuck with a handset that isn't right for him (he didn't even get a chance to play with it at the store), with a bolt on he doesn't need or want.

Any suggestions?
JJ2006
23-02-2008
why did your friend sign up for it in the first place then?! sounds very very stupid if you ask me.
kexy
23-02-2008
Originally Posted by JJ2006:
“why did your friend sign up for it in the first place then?! sounds very very stupid if you ask me.”

It's easy to feel pressured into something which isn't a good deal....

The real issue is he has a handset he doesn't like, and he didn't get a chance to play with it at the store!
At o2, we'd do an exchange after looking through various different phones with the customer.
Ricardodaforce
23-02-2008
Originally Posted by kexy:
“I'm trying to help a friend of mine out who signed up to an orange contract yesterday.

He signed up for the Orange Dolphin 35 and got a blackberry pearl (a phone he has no use for!) and was made to take out an blackberry browsing bundle for the internet.

He has no use for this bundle and tried to get it taken off and they won't let him - they say there's no cooling of period on his contract and he's now tied in and they won't do anything to help him out.

I know at o2 we have a 14 day return period but it seems strange for orange not have any period....

Anyway he's stuck with a handset that isn't right for him (he didn't even get a chance to play with it at the store), with a bolt on he doesn't need or want.

Any suggestions?”

OK, where to begin.
He can't have been forced to take a Pearl.
He can't have been forced to add Internet Talk for Blackberry.
He can't have been forced to sign the contract that he signed.
The 14 day change of mind was stopped on Oct 15th 2007.
If your friend has a phone he doesn't want, with a bolt on he doesn't want, then he only has himself to blame.
Ricardodaforce
23-02-2008
Originally Posted by kexy:
“It's easy to feel pressured into something which isn't a good deal....

The real issue is he has a handset he doesn't like, and he didn't get a chance to play with it at the store!
At o2, we'd do an exchange after looking through various different phones with the customer.”


Sorry to be blunt, but what kind of idiot agrees to take a phone for EIGHTEEN MONTHS from a store without playing with it first
kexy
23-02-2008
Originally Posted by Ricardodaforce:
“OK, where to begin.
He can't have been forced to take a Pearl.
He can't have been forced to add Internet Talk for Blackberry.
He can't have been forced to sign the contract that he signed.
The 14 day change of mind was stopped on Oct 15th 2007.
If your friend has a phone he doesn't want, with a bolt on he doesn't want, then he only has himself to blame.”

I'm sure that's fantastic customer service, then.
Ricardodaforce
23-02-2008
Originally Posted by kexy:
“I'm sure that's fantastic customer service, then.”

Do you really expect us to believe your friend was forced to do all of that? They entered into a binding contract. They knew what they were doing.
kexy
23-02-2008
Originally Posted by Ricardodaforce:
“Do you really expect us to believe your friend was forced to do all of that? They entered into a binding contract. They knew what they were doing.”

If you read my post you'll find I never said he was forced into it.

Perhaps because I work for o2 I'm expecting too much.
When a customer comes in and speaks to me about their needs I suggest a handset that suits their needs - my friend was recommended a handset by a "phone trainer" and he trusted that recommendation - the phone isn't suited to him at all. When you take the pearl on contract he was told he HAD to have a bundle for it.
He's happy with the orange contract, just not the handset.
At o2 we'll exchange a handset for up to 14 days and we'll go out of our way to help the customer find a better, more suitable handset.

Obviously i'm expecting too much from orange, I'm just used to providing a good customer service.
Ricardodaforce
23-02-2008
Originally Posted by kexy:
“If you read my post you'll find I never said he was forced into it.

Perhaps because I work for o2 I'm expecting too much.
When a customer comes in and speaks to me about their needs I suggest a handset that suits their needs - my friend was recommended a handset by a "phone trainer" and he trusted that recommendation - the phone isn't suited to him at all. When you take the pearl on contract he was told he HAD to have a bundle for it.
He's happy with the orange contract, just not the handset.
At o2 we'll exchange a handset for up to 14 days and we'll go out of our way to help the customer find a better, more suitable handset.

Obviously i'm expecting too much from orange, I'm just used to providing a good customer service. ”

It boils down to your friend making the final decision without having demo'd the handset. That was naive at best, stupid if I'm being generous. HE made the decision to buy, NOT the Orange sales assistant.
kexy
23-02-2008
Originally Posted by Ricardodaforce:
“It boils down to your friend making the final decision without having demo'd the handset. That was naive at best, stupid if I'm being generous. HE made the decision to buy, NOT the Orange sales assistant.”

You have such a kind and understanding manner.
Ricardodaforce
23-02-2008
Originally Posted by kexy:
“If you read my post you'll find I never said he was forced into it.
”


So he wasn't forced, but the contract should be cancelled. Right........
Running Water
23-02-2008
You wouldn't agree to buy a car without seeing it - it's your friend's fault.
JJ2006
23-02-2008
so so stupid.
Lawe13
23-02-2008
Originally Posted by kexy:
“If you read my post you'll find I never said he was forced into it.

Perhaps because I work for o2 I'm expecting too much.
When a customer comes in and speaks to me about their needs I suggest a handset that suits their needs - my friend was recommended a handset by a "phone trainer" and he trusted that recommendation - the phone isn't suited to him at all. When you take the pearl on contract he was told he HAD to have a bundle for it.
He's happy with the orange contract, just not the handset.
At o2 we'll exchange a handset for up to 14 days and we'll go out of our way to help the customer find a better, more suitable handset.

Obviously i'm expecting too much from orange, I'm just used to providing a good customer service. ”


Orange have a 7 day cooling off period but only through Internet or Telesales. The whole purpose of Retail is partly so a customer can demo the phone before taking it away. Any sales assistant will try and match a phone to the customers needs, but can only go on what information is presented. If your friend said emails were very high priority to him for example, it would be no surprise that he was recommended a Blackberry. And whilst he doesn't have to take Blackberry Internet Service, there would be little point in having a Blackberry without it. Maybe that is why he felt he was told he had to have it as you claim. All speculation really, but your friend was very silly not trying the phone out. Who in their right mind signs a contract for something they have not tried? A fool.
Ricardodaforce
23-02-2008
Let's not forget though that even without the BIS it's still a nice phone. Compact, a 2mp camera with flash, decent media player, wi-fi, micro-SD expandable memory. I like!
Lawe13
23-02-2008
I agree RDF. Personally I love my 8320 Curve, but thats just because I find it easier with the Qwerty keyboard set out how it is on the Curve.

But the Pearl is an excellent device. Can I ask why it is so unsuitable?
rosalynn
23-02-2008
No sympathy here either I'm afraid. It might have been a nice gesture of the store to exchange the phone, but as your friend didn't even try the handset I don't think it is fair to expect this just because that is what happens at O2.
skimminstones
23-02-2008
Im in no way going to get into an argument but this 'good customer service' from an o2 store is very subjective. the same as every other networks stores. I have numerous complaints from o2 customers about appaling customer service every week. Im not complaining though as i just sign them up on my network instead. However im the first to admit not every single salesperson for any of the main networks will be brilliant. There are bad eggs out there everywhere.
_amanda_
29-02-2008
Originally Posted by kexy:
“If you read my post you'll find I never said he was forced into it.

Perhaps because I work for o2 I'm expecting too much.
When a customer comes in and speaks to me about their needs I suggest a handset that suits their needs - my friend was recommended a handset by a "phone trainer" and he trusted that recommendation - the phone isn't suited to him at all. When you take the pearl on contract he was told he HAD to have a bundle for it.
He's happy with the orange contract, just not the handset.
At o2 we'll exchange a handset for up to 14 days and we'll go out of our way to help the customer find a better, more suitable handset.

Obviously i'm expecting too much from orange, I'm just used to providing a good customer service. ”


Well Kexy thats probably why O2 was top on CSI at the end of last year and Orange were not

I would firstly go back to the store and request to speak with the manager, explain there was no 'playing' with the phone offered and although your friend really likes the contract (although quite why he didn't take your friends & family discount I'll never know!) the phone is not suitable and would it be possible to change phone. If he gets no-where with the store then ask to speak with there high level complaints department... that usually does the trick
Lawe13
29-02-2008
[quote=_amanda_;21942395]Well Kexy thats probably why O2 was top on CSI at the end of last year and Orange were not
QUOTE]



We can all play the tit for tat game love, it doesn't make O2 look any better......

I however simply do not believe he was not offered to play with the phone, because even if you go in browsing and mention an interest in the phone they are off to fetch it so you can play with it. Get people hooked on the gadget and they will buy.
litepurple
29-02-2008
It's quite scandalous that Orange has cancelled the cooling off period for buying from retail. I mean, how can you properly assess whether the handset and network are right for you within a store? What if the Orange coverage is patchy where you live/work/travel? What if the handset has some quirks which mean it is not entirely suitable to your needs and these take a few days to iron out? It's ridiculous and selfish of a network to expect someone to be able to know all this within the 30-60 mins sales process. This sharp practice is yet another reason why you shouldn't choose Orange.

Tell me someone who works for Orange Retail: do you stress the point that once they leave the store they can't cancel, even if the handset, tarrif and/or network coverage prove to be unsuitable?

I've been on Orange for over ten years and the only reason I have stayed recently is their excellent Orange Premier programme for high-spend customers, and the extremely competitive retention deals. Fortunately, these are done over the phone which means the greedy sl!mes are bound by the legally-required distance selling regulations (7 day returns policy). Orange does not do this, of course, as an reasonable network provider.

LP
kipster
29-02-2008
I believe under UK Contract Law, that ANY form of contract has a 14 day cooling off period.
Lawe13
29-02-2008
Incorrect - when it comes to sales the only contracts that require a cooling off period by UK Law are those covered under the Distance Selling policy.
plymouthbloke1974
29-02-2008
I agree with the above. Don't forget that T-Mobile don't offer a 14 day cooling off period either!

My OH works in Orange Retail and I was waiting for her to finish the other day, and she was telling the customer who was taking out the contract that there was no 14 day money back and was he happy to continue. He agreed, and so she wrote on the top "18 month contract - NO 14 day moneyback"

Seemed reasonable enough.

Oh, Kexy, if you love O2 so much, why didn't you "pressure/force" your mate onto O2, seeing as they are so wonderful???
kexy
29-02-2008
Originally Posted by Lawe13:
“


We can all play the tit for tat game love, it doesn't make O2 look any better......

I however simply do not believe he was not offered to play with the phone, because even if you go in browsing and mention an interest in the phone they are off to fetch it so you can play with it. Get people hooked on the gadget and they will buy.”

It's not tit for tat.... don't be ridiculous. O2 came out looking extremely good for customer service - I believe that does make it look quite good.

I also think it's slightly naive to think that every salesperson works with the same sales technique - my friend wasn't shown the phone, perhaps the salesperson couldn't be bothered or whatever - not every sales person will always give a demo.

Originally Posted by simax:
“I agree with the above. Don't forget that T-Mobile don't offer a 14 day cooling off period either!

My OH works in Orange Retail and I was waiting for her to finish the other day, and she was telling the customer who was taking out the contract that there was no 14 day money back and was he happy to continue. He agreed, and so she wrote on the top "18 month contract - NO 14 day moneyback"

Seemed reasonable enough.

Oh, Kexy, if you love O2 so much, why didn't you "pressure/force" your mate onto O2, seeing as they are so wonderful??? ”

That is reasonable, yes. My friend wasn't told however. I'm not arguing that because he wasn't told then it shouldn't apply - i'm simply saying that a better customer experience would be if they had kept the 14 day approval.
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