Phones4U - Gone in administration

[newpersn]

Hope someone saves phones for you...

 

Ive had always had good deals out of them, Plus phone insurance is with them.

 

BBC News - Phones 4U shops closing down across UK

[abillybob]

I always thought they where a little overpriced to be honest. I have never had dealings with them as a company before so I can't really comment on customer service!! Look at the bright side you still have Carphone Warehouse

[newpersn]

I always thought they where a little overpriced to be honest. I have never had dealings with them as a company before so I can't really comment on customer service!! Look at the bright side you still have Carphone Warehouse

 

See, I think carphone warehouse is overpriced. each to there own. I never rang them i just walked in and done the deal there. I noticed the "life" mobile network website is down at the moment. (although that is EE powered)

[Norphy]

Look at the bright side you still have Carphone Warehouse

 

[Joanne]

Ive had always had good deals out of them, Plus phone insurance is with them.

 

Your phone insurance will be fine because it will be underwritten by an actual insurance company, so no worries

[Tesla]

phones 4 u always been better for me, and their insurance policies are still going to be honoured, i believe. i hope so too though as i am with them.

 

i think it's massive bullying tactics by the likes of EE and Vodafone, especially if it's true that they pulled out last minute, they have single handedly made over 5000 people potentially unemployed.

[spacebar]

Just got a tab from them on Saturday delivered so was lucky if they do go bust might of not received it.

 

But I think someone might buy them out. Shame about job losses.

 

From what I come across most of their in-store staff did not know much about the actual phone system, but maybe I was unlucky.

[Tesla]

no one will buy them out, they have money, its the fact that they have no phones to sell as vodafone/EE haven't given them the contracts to do so.

[abillybob]

I was being sarcastic about Carphone Warehouse Again, we need some type of tag for sarcasm!!

[laserblazer]

Vodafone has as good as said they don't want to pay middle-men!

[sonofsanta]

Seems a bit anti-competitive, does it not? I wouldn't be surprised of the OFT ends up investigating. Phones4U is profitable still, so obviously attracting customers, but the networks are driving it out of business not by out-competing but by refusing to play ball. And so they ruin 5000 people's days/weeks/months/lives simply to add a few more quid to their off-shore tax-free accounts.

 

Screw big business.

[spacebar]

no one will buy them out, they have money, its the fact that they have no phones to sell as vodafone/EE haven't given them the contracts to do so.

 

Vodafone or EE could buy them out, But I guess they already have stores in most places where there is also a Phones 4 U.

 

Maybe Tesco for Tesco Mobile.

[newpersn]

I dont think it be long till networks pull out of carphone warehouse..

[featured_spectre]

Phones 4 u and Carphone warehouse have been overpriced for a while. They make so little commission its crazy. Think it works out that on average, they make £3 a contract, regardless of value of the phone or contract.

[spacebar]

Seems a bit anti-competitive, does it not? I wouldn't be surprised of the OFT ends up investigating. Phones4U is profitable still, so obviously attracting customers, but the networks are driving it out of business not by out-competing but by refusing to play ball. And so they ruin 5000 people's days/weeks/months/lives simply to add a few more quid to their off-shore tax-free accounts.

 

Screw big business.

 

Business is business.

 

Its just money, money, money and always will be.

[localzuk]

There's not a lot Phones4U could have done really. Their entire business was based on selling other company's products. If the other companies won't sell to them, they've got no business any more.

 

They've not gone bust - they were a very profitable business. So, administration is likely just going to wind it all up and sell off assets. I imagine the staff will get a reasonable redundancy payment too.

[spacebar]

On their site:

 

Dear Customer,

 

Following the unexpected decision of EE and Vodafone to withdraw supply from Phones4U , we regret that we are offline. Please accept our apologies and we will update you as soon as possible

 

................

 

Thank you for your custom

 

The heartbroken Phones4u Team

 

[Joanne]

That makes me sad...

[Hefferzzzz]

I am suprised that they didnt have some sort of contingency in place for one or more of the networks pulling the plug.

[Norphy]

One of the networks pulling the plug can be planned for. All of them though? What are they expected to do? The only thing left to sell would be phones off contract and that would be niche with a capital N.

 

Either that or specialise in MVNOs but I can't see that there'd be much of a market for that either.

Edited September 15, 2014 by Norphy

[Meldrew]

Glad they've gone - no more stupid annoying cringeworthy adverts from them.

[Chuckster]

With Phones4U going out of business there'll be less competition for networks to provide great deals to its customers. EE stated on The Telegraph that by cutting out the middle-man they can pass on savings to its customers, which is bull. No, what we will be seeing is extortionate price plans in the near future.

[featured_spectre]

Wont be long before Carphone warehouse have the same issue, and it will then be down to the shops to sell their own devices. This is going to cause problems in the long term, as many prefer to use a 3rd party as the 3rd party insurance can/is better in many cases.

 

My cover for my Xperia Z Ultra with O2 is £15 a month with £50 excess and next day replacement, with P4U it is £6 a month, £25 excess, and 8 working hour replacement (including weekend working hours).

[Tesla]

that's like £360 +£50 excess (should you need to send it in) That's ludicrous. you can sign up to a lloyds Silver account at £9.99 a month and that gives you better phone insurance under their benefits!

[tmcd35]

Wont be long before Carphone warehouse have the same issue, and it will then be down to the shops to sell their own devices. This is going to cause problems in the long term, as many prefer to use a 3rd party as the 3rd party insurance can/is better in many cases.

 

Carphone Warehouse have just merged with Dixons (Currys/PC-World). Part of Phone-4U's problem was all the major telcos signing agreements with Dixons Carphone - as they are now known.