Phones 4U gone bust.

[tut]

All its shops close down today as EE and Vodafone have not renewed its contract.

Took out a contract for Verian a few months ago, I wonder how that works out.

tut

[jimbo]

News it's reporting no change to existing contracts Tut, I've used them for years as always find them extremely helpful, pretty sad that they're not out of business

James

[DJ]

As reported, only really carphone warehouse left as a place with choice of contract. Seems like the phone companies are strangling the market for the independents which doesn't feel like a good thing

Had a phone away with them last 3 weeks for a software refresh. Glad I picked it up last week.

[Claws]

I have used them a few times with no complaints, but at the same time I could never see how it worked as a business.

Loads of shops, selling something you can get direct from the network and also they could buy you out of your existing contract.


I will miss the adverts, they had a couple of funny ones.

[BiggestNizzy]

Shame they are gone as they always seemed to offer better deals than O2, Although I see why they went as I never bought a phone from them I always used it go get a better deal from O2.

[Scuffers]

writings been on the wall for a while...

O2 canned their contract at the start of the year, Voda were always going to follow, even if EE had renewed, they were stuffed.

[steve_weegie]

I predict Carphone Warehouse will go the same way. Personally I don't see how these guys can compete with the networks direct sales strategy any more - it's too big a market for them now, not to be pushing their own retail sales model.

[Shug]

Carphone were recently bought by DSG (Dixons/Currys/PC World) There must be some business there for them to invest. I do think there is still a market for a one-shop-for-all-networks - and now Carphone have no high street competition. Obviously they don't make money on the contract deals initially (although I understand it is not a loss-maker - they do eventually make out of it) and they do need to attach accessory sales to really make margin.

[Corranga]

I predict Carphone Warehouse will go the same way. Personally I don't see how these guys can compete with the networks direct sales strategy any more - it's too big a market for them now, not to be pushing their own retail sales model.

I'd say Carphone Warehouse will survive, though maybe not in their high street guise. Other Carphone Warehouse group web-based companies are good for pricing / deals / cashback dialaphone, e2save etc, whilst the high street store is silly expensive in comparison, unless of course the networks decide that you have to go direct and cut their contract too!!

[Andy]

dialaphone

Same company is Phones4u and have also ceased trading

Give it 5 years and we will have the same 'big 6' outrage as the energy companies for ripping us off

[Doc883]

Give it 5 years and we will have the same 'big 6' outrage as the energy companies for ripping us off

Coverage wise we only really have one of 2 choices now, EE with T-Mobile/Orange/Three all site sharing and Vodafone/O2 doing the same. All the air-time re-sellers like Virgin, Tesco Mobile etc just piggy back the above. Personally I'm looking forward to a 'standard' tariff throughout the EU and a complete removal of roaming charges. Also it's about time Ofcom got some balls and decreed that Freephone numbers should strangely enough be free !

[steve_weegie]

. Personally I'm looking forward to a 'standard' tariff throughout the EU and a complete removal of roaming charges. Also it's about time Ofcom got some balls and decreed that Freephone numbers should strangely enough be free !

Already happening - My three contract allows me unrestricted call and data use in many EU zone countries and local 0800 numbers are free

[Doc883]

Vodafone taking over 140 Phones 4 U stores. Help to force them out of business then cherry pick their best stores !
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-29286694