NETWORK UNLOCK UNSUCCESSFUL

[Anonymous]

OK, quick background to the story. Current O2 customer for over a decade. 

I live and work in Germany and was back in the UK in February 2014 on a works course and decided to get a new mobile. Samsung S3 Mini, £130 on PAYG, a lot cheaper than in the German shops. I told the sales person I was based overseas and would be using it on a German network until I return permanently in the Summer. She said it was a simple process to unlock and could do it over there. 

So I'm back in Germany, I've topped up my UK O2 sim card to pay the £15 unlock fee, filled in the network unlock request online and two days later receive an email with said unlock code. I put in my German T mobile sim card. This is where it starts...

Network unlock unsuccessful. I don't try it any more times as it mentions 3 failures leads to a lock, of what kind I'm not sure.

After speaking to the (cough, cough) "Gurus" I'm ready to tear my hair out.  

Firstly they're telling me they can see that it has been unlocked. Liars!

Then they say need to use a UK network signal for the code to work. News to me!

Then as the phone is less than 365 days old I cannot unlock it on PAYG yet. Fine, why have you processed my application and taken my money then?

I suspect getting a refund under Distant Selling Regulations or the Sale of Goods Act is like getting blood from a stone?

[Anonymous]

Then a further alternative is to sell the current phone which is locked to 02 for 12 months ,and buy one sim free unlocked ?

[Bambino]

If the OP has a legitimate complaint and was missold the phone by O2, why should they have to sell it at a possible loss? They should follow the complaints procedure that has been set out for them. Advising  the OP to take it to a backstreet hacker to get it unlocked and possibly damaging the phone beyond repair, and most definitely voiding the warranty is irresponsible.

[Anonymous]

The op has in my understanding nothing in writing from the O2 front line staff advising an unlock is possible under 12 months.

Without this it's impossible to prove mis selling as I understand it.

Irresponsible ! Many people unlock phones this way if other methods are not available to them ,and has been advised and discussed by other members on different occasions.


I said it was a further alternative ,I believe ,and not one they have to take up.

But thank you very much for your insight on your thoughts @Bambino

[MI5]

Again, I will point out that the unlock code has been provided, so regardless of the 12 month rule O2 have honoured their obligations, ie £15 taken & code provided.
The only problem here is now that the phone needs to be on a UK network to complete the process which is beyond O2's control......

[anticpated]

When I was kid, somebody told me the moon was made of cheese.  This is kind of the same thing really....

[Bambino]

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@Anonymous wrote:
The op has in my understanding nothing in writing from the O2 front line staff advising an unlock is possible under 12 months.

Without this it's impossible to prove mis selling as I understand it.

Irresponsible ! Many people unlock phones this way if other methods are not available to them ,and has been advised and discussed by other members on different occasions.


I said it was a further alternative ,I believe ,and not one they have to take up.

But thank you very much for your insight on your thoughts @Bambino

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The OP may not have a case, as he has nothing in writing, but if it's common knowledge that you have to wait 12 months to unlock a Pay & Go phone, the O2 staff member should have known that, so it's worth the OP trying to go through the complaints procedure. It's certainly a better option than taking his new phone to a hacker and possibly bricking it.

I stand by what I say that you are being irresponsible telling the OP to take the phone to a back street hacker, particularly in the light of what MI5 posted as possible results of doing something like that to an Android phone, which you know very little about. 

If the OP has the unlock code, they should just wait until they return to the UK to get the phone unlocked legally. It's easy enough to pick up an inexpensive phone to use in the interim. Offering them your 'further alternative', in my opinion, isn't helpful.

[Anonymous]

I know you stand by your opinions ,as do I.

I'm quite happy with my working knowledge of platforms thank you and perhaps know a little more than you grant me.

Perhaps we should remain positive and let the op get on with it now.

[Bambino]

We will not agree on this, so the OP can take what info he wants from the thread.

The mentions aren't necessary, bob. I know you're going to reply.

[Toby]

This thread is now closed. Please PM me if you have any concerns with that