Cooling Off Period...

[Anonymous]

Hi,

This isn't a major issue: I've been with O2 on a Sim-only contract for the past two years. Yesterday I went to a Phones 4U shop and basically upgraded from the Sim-only deal to a 24-hour contract (iphone 4S, £27 per month). The thing is, it's not going down too well at home and while I intend to continue with 02, I want to return the iphone and perhaps do a contract on a cheaper phone (Sony Xperia is £22 per month). 

The only reason I went for an upgrade is because I need a quad band phone for frequent visits to the USA. I didn't want to buy a quad band cash, hence the contract idea.

What's the chances of re-doing an O2 contract at a cheaper tariff?

[MI5]

Check Phones4U policy but usually you get 7 days cooling off.....

[Bambino]

What's a 24 hour contract?

[Anonymous]

I mean a 24-month contract, not a 24-hour! Apologies.

[Bambino]

Okay. Got it now. Why do you want to take out a 24 month contract? If you're sim only, and you can afford it, buy a phone sim free. I doubt you'd be happy with a 5S for two years. It's an interim phone.

[Anonymous]

I'm sure I read that they don't have a cooling off period if you got it in store.

But they do if it's online.

http://support.phones4u.co.uk/pe/view.jsp?id=10100118

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty sure the law is that you have at least a 7 day cooling off period:

Act within the cooling off period

If you want to cancel a credit agreement, the Consumer Credit Act gives you a 14-day cooling off period to cancel the agreement. 

If you entered into the contract at home, your place of work or during an excursion you have a seven-day cooling off period. 

If you contract for a service over the phone or online, the cooling off period starts the day after you agree to go ahead with the service. 

If you want the service to begin straight away, you waive any cooling off rights. 

If you buy a product over the phone, online or by mail order the Distance Selling Regulations give you a seven day cooling off period from the day after you receive your goods to cancel. 

Cite the relevant legislation in all your correspondence with the trader when explaining you wish to cancel your contract. 

If you're looking to cancel your mobile phone contract early, take a look at our guide. 

Taken from the Which website

[version7point0]

Taken from P4U site:

Can I return a purchase made in store?

Pay Monthly Phones, Broadband Dongles and SIM Only Contracts

Phones4u does not operate a 14 day return period on Pay Monthly Contracts. Contract handsets, however, may be returned within 14 days of the date of sale if the network coverage is considered to be poor at the customers contractual address and no alternative network agreement can be established. Cancellation is subject to network provider approval.

However I once heared a rumour that if you were not offered a demonstration of the device internal policy would allow you to return it - again this was a rumor and I can not vouch for its validity.

[perksie]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I'm pretty sure the law is that you have at least a 7 day cooling off period:

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It doesn't apply if you upgrade in store, any cooling off period is what is offered by the store concerned.

[Anonymous]

Thought I'd seen this before with Phones 4U !

😞