Mis-sold Mobile Broadband. Any advice?

[SlugLobber]

You may remember that I came on here having bought a mobile broadband package.

I'm really pleased with the laptop itself - no complaints, there. However, I'm a bit peed off that I was given false information. When I signed the contract, I was told by the salesman that if I found I wasn't using the Gb allowance (and we both agreed that there's no way I ever would!) I could ring up the provider and they would lower it, meaning I would pay less.

I have just got off the phone to two separate departments at 3 mobile, to say that this is not the case. I am stuck paying for 15Gb per month for 2 years - the duration of the contract. I thought they were going to say this, having just looked at their website for the contact number, but the salesman DEFINITELY said I could downgrade!

I also told the salesman what I needed the laptop/mobile broadband for (online marking, as I am an examiner). I performed the software test at the weekend and the computer failed on the broadband speed, a pathetic 93.9 kbps. I need 400-450 kbps.

Again, I have spoken to somebody at 3 mobile who says that my area is not ideal for mobile broadband. I can try using the laptop in a different area to increase the speed, but as far as my house goes, I'm buggered.

Considering the laptop spec, it's not a COMPLETE disaster that I am paying stupid amounts, as it would work out more if I'd bought a laptop then gone for a contract, but I know that if I'd bought something else and gone PAYG, I would be most definitely better off, as I can't download DVDs, view Youtube videos without waiting 5 mins for a 4min video to load, and all the other things which will require better speeds. Most importantly, I have probably lost £1000 of income twice a year, because I cannot mark online. I have yet to try the speed at work, however.

Slightly miffed, but do I have recourse over PC World, for selling me something that essentially is not suitable for my use?

[WrexTheDragon]

Contact Trading Standards.

Is this the machine that the examination board recommended? If it is than I would also contact them.

[SlugLobber]

No, the exam board have nothing to do with it. I went out and bought the package independently, but did specify what I wanted the machine to do. The laptop itself is more than capable - it's ace, actually!

I did think Trading Standards. Don't particularly want to give up the laptop, though, so will try the store itself, first, see if anything can be sorted, there. Thanks, WD.

[Hilary B]

No, the exam board have nothing to do with it. I went out and bought the package independently, but did specify what I wanted the machine to do. The laptop itself is more than capable - it's ace, actually!

I did think Trading Standards. Don't particularly want to give up the laptop, though, so will try the store itself, first, see if anything can be sorted, there. Thanks, WD.

Was anything mentioned about 'we can't guarantee the reception in your area'?
If they didn't say anything about that, they mis-sold the package, but it may be hard to prove.

[WrexTheDragon]

First thing to do is to make sure you talk to someone at the PC World store who has the authority, get their name and position within PC World first.

I would drop into the conversation that you are thinking of going to Trading Standards and the local paper if they do not appear to be helpful.

[TEB]

Was anything mentioned about 'we can't guarantee the reception in your area'?
If they didn't say anything about that, they mis-sold the package, but it may be hard to prove.

Something like that would bound to be in the contract I would have thought

[Bigmallly]

Sale of Goods Act Fact Sheet
Subject:
Sale of Goods Act, Faulty Goods.

Relevant or Related Legislation:
Sale of Goods Act 1979. Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982. Sale and Supply of Goods Act 1994. The Sale and Supply of Goods to Consumers Regulations 2002.

Key Facts:
• Wherever goods are bought they must "conform to contract". This means they must be as described, fit for purpose and of satisfactory quality (i.e. not inherently faulty at the time of sale).

Would I be right in thinking your goods are not fit for purpose.

[pipkins]

Hi SlugLobber,

How long have you had it?

I also got caught out By PC World who recomended 3, within 2 days I was back there to complain despite their "it's great in your area" I was barely able to get any service at all, I was able to escape the contract and just paid for the laptop. I have Vodafone now and it is much better and works from the lottie(saddo sara)

Hope you get it sorted

[TEB]

A list of some organisations that may be able to help.
Useful organisations for dealing with broadband disputes | moneysupermarket UK

[ginger ninger]

Nasty....here's two links you might want to look at, personally I think you've been miss-sold a computer contract or you have seriously been miss-informed of what your contract provider could provide.

Acts of the UK Parliament

Trading Standards Institute - Home page

Good Luck. Let us know how you get on SL.

[Pies]

Sorry to be a bearer of bad news but even if you can get out of the contract it will take along time.Remember this even if the laptop gets nicked or busted the contract is still valid as you didn't buy the laptop.

Right that said all is not lost you can buy signal boosters,that work so it could be that one of these could sort out the problem there are different types depending on haw bad the signal is.If there is NO signal then they wont work.

Mobile Broadband USB Dongle Signal Booster Aerial on eBay (end time 06-Nov-09 01:22:30 GMT)

How good is the signal outside?

For everybody else,get a PAYG dongle on the network you are thinking of using and try it first

sorry

[SlugLobber]

Thanks everyone.

Pipkins, I've had it longer than the 3 measly days that they allow for return of the laptop. I did test it as soon as I got home, but until I got the papers which contain the website details for OCR's marking software, I couldn't test for that. The 3 mobile website states, 'There is no guarantee of signal' on their signal checker page, but considering this is ALL you have to go on, when you take out the contract, not very helpful! I may be on a loser as the 3 days have passed.

For the busted computer thing, I'm ok for the moment, as any important docs are saved on a shared drive at work, although I am covered by an insurance package for virus attack/damage and hardware failure.

I have read about the signal boosters. Signal ranges between 2 to 3 bars out of 5 (3 in the bedroom only). Are they really that effective?

Service for normal browsing is fine (forums and facebook type stuff). It's just the downloading speed that's an epic FAIL! I'll read up more on the boosters and check out those links. Many thanks. You're a fab lot(tie).

[Pies]

The boosters work a bit like your tv ariel.One sited on the roof works better than one on the tv

A simple thing to try is a usb cable and plug that between your dongle and laptop then put the dongle out of a window,not if its raining though

This sould improve things

[Pies]

What's the make and model of your dongle? there might be a better dongle to try,i doubt it but you never know

[Bigmallly]

I performed the software test at the weekend and the computer failed on the broadband speed, a pathetic 93.9 kbps. I need 400-450 kbps.

Hi Slug,
I have just done a broadband speed test & it came back @ 19,056 kbps. That does not equate to my download speed which ranges between 10kbps & 1,000kbps depending on certain variables. So I would be happy with 93.9 but that's just my personal preference. I am not computer literate when it comes to bits & bytes so I don't know which is which. Good Luck .