Not so mobile phone (From Stroud News and Journal)

Not so mobile phone

A PARKINSON'S sufferer living in sheltered housing has warned would-be mobile phone customers to check out network blackspots after he was left high and dry by a town shop.

Roy Melville of Minchinhampton bought his first mobile phone this week at the age of 61 from Stroud's Phones 4U but no-one told him the T-Mobile network he was signed up to didn't work where he lived.

When Mr Melville discovered the error he asked the shop for an exchange but was met with a frosty reception.

The manager at Mr Melville's sheltered housing complex, could not believe staff at the shop had sold him the mobile on a network that did not cover the notorious reception blackhole.

"She rang them and said what are you playing at but they said they were not going to do anything - neither swap the phone nor give a full refund," said Mr Melville.

"It's been an irritation," said Mr Melville. "They seemed to say we've got your money, now clear off."

However when the SNJ called the company, it had a swift change of heart and promptly offered to replace Mr Melville's phone with one that worked on the Orange network - for £10 less.

"I'm pleased but why didn't they do this in the first place," said Mr Melville. "It would have saved a whole lot of time and trouble."

Phones 4 U spokesman Ben Todd said: "We're extremely sorry if Mr Melville feels he has received poor service from our store and can appreciate how disappointing this must have been.

"At Phones 4u we always try to find a solution to any customer enquiries."