3GScottishUser
30th June 2005, 11:12 AM
From Mobile (29/06/2005):
Following complaints from the dealer community, 3 is taking action against distance sellers that claim to be the network itself when offering upgrades.
Mobile understands that the network has been handed the details of at least three distance sellers said to be passing themselves off as 3, by dealers whose customers have been targeted by telephone salesmen offering contract upgrades.
3 has told dealers it is looking to stamp down on the practice. Mobile understands that 3 will stop supplying dealers that it can identify as misleading customers.
Several dealers Mobile has spoken to say a significant proportion of their existing customers have been contacted by salespeople claiming to be calling from the network direct. Some have even received calls on demo handsets kept in-store, and their customers have been sent promotional material formatted to look like it is from 3 rather than an independent company.
Some people even claim to be selling official 3 phone insurance, but 3 doesnt do insurance, said one dealer, who claims that most of his 3 customer base has been targeted by direct dealers misrepresenting themselves.
During the last few weeks, while introducing dealers to its new business proposition, the network reiterated its commitment to the independent channel. However, some dealers remain sceptical. After having contacted the network with the problem, one dealer said: All they told me is its got nothing to do with us.
http://www.mobiletoday.co.uk/artman-test/publish/article_499.shtml
Following complaints from the dealer community, 3 is taking action against distance sellers that claim to be the network itself when offering upgrades.
Mobile understands that the network has been handed the details of at least three distance sellers said to be passing themselves off as 3, by dealers whose customers have been targeted by telephone salesmen offering contract upgrades.
3 has told dealers it is looking to stamp down on the practice. Mobile understands that 3 will stop supplying dealers that it can identify as misleading customers.
Several dealers Mobile has spoken to say a significant proportion of their existing customers have been contacted by salespeople claiming to be calling from the network direct. Some have even received calls on demo handsets kept in-store, and their customers have been sent promotional material formatted to look like it is from 3 rather than an independent company.
Some people even claim to be selling official 3 phone insurance, but 3 doesnt do insurance, said one dealer, who claims that most of his 3 customer base has been targeted by direct dealers misrepresenting themselves.
During the last few weeks, while introducing dealers to its new business proposition, the network reiterated its commitment to the independent channel. However, some dealers remain sceptical. After having contacted the network with the problem, one dealer said: All they told me is its got nothing to do with us.
http://www.mobiletoday.co.uk/artman-test/publish/article_499.shtml