Nightmare Switch Up Service

[DailyDarkly]

Has anyone else had an absolute mare trying to use the switch up service. I've previously put a complaint in about it which they came back to me and resolved as much as they could. Pretty much admitted the process isnt up to scratch for the customer and they were working on a new system which is coming out this year to make switch up easier as you'd be able to do it online. 

Anyway that complaint was resolved which I accepted as they cant miracle the system out of no where if its not ready. I want to order the new S24 Ultra and they've said previous that i can call the store and place a pre-order. 

I've phoned today to be told I have to be at the store in person to make a pre-order which is rediculous considering it's an hour trip each way. So i'd have to go to the store to pre-order and then go back to the store to pick up the phone. 

There has to be an easier way of doing this or someone within o2 who can take ownership of this issue because I cant be the only one in this situation being penalised because they've closed every store in my area. Every interaction I have with o2 just seems to be a drama and not customer focused at all. 

Any advice, suggestions anyone could give would be appreciated?

[Oxonian]

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@MI5 wrote:

I know what you mean about store closures though. Nothing more infuriating.

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Absolutely @MI5, until a few years ago the stores were a superb resource with their "gurus", but now they seem to be a sales' venture and little else. I do wonder whether, in a few years, O2's retail network will be confined to a few big flagship stores in major cities, as is the case with Apple and Samsung now.   

[MI5]

They'd need a flagship network to have a flagship store!

[Enlli]

I'm fully expecting O2 to follow Virgin's lead and dispense of stores all together 

That said we have lost two EE stores round here in recent months

[madasaf1sh]

We surprisingly haven't lost any o2 or other network stores, but I can see one o2 and one EE stores disappearing as they never have any phones in stock... 

I cant see them getting rid of them altogether, but I can see rationalisation, as no point keeping stores open that don't make money, just for the sake of it..