Avoid mobile contract with SFR
 

Yet more crap from SFR.
I've been unhappy with them for a while (among other things, they lied to me when I bought a new phone from them, assuring me the price of my monthly "forfait" would remain unchanged) so was very happy when I received an email from them last week notifying me of a forthcoming price rise in May as under the Consumer Code, I now have a legally valid excuse to leave them (otherwise I'm locked in until September 2017).
Anyway, I naively toddled off to see Orange, who confirmed that yes, I could switch to them in May but that first, I would have to get SFR to unlock my phone.
After an abortive attempt to do so online on my Espace Client, I popped into the SFR shop here in Strasbourg only to be told that they wanted 19 euros for unlocking the phone.
I was pretty sure the service was supposed to be free so I went home and called SFR customer service (there's a misnomer if ever there was one).
They said they'd never heard of an SFR shop charging for unlocking a phone that had been purchased from the same shop but asked me for the IMEI number and said I would receive a "code de désimlockage" within 5 days.
Next day I get a text message from them saying they've had to write off to the maker (Samsung) and that it could be up to 4 weeks before I get the code.
I know they're just foot-dragging and if necessary, I will just pay somebody else to unlock the phone next month.
In the meantime, though, I'm curious if anybody has experienced similar shenanigans with other operators.
Right now just feel like chucking my mobile in the bin.

Re: Avoid mobile contract with SFR
 

Have a try doing this via un conseiller de tchat:-

https://www.sfr.fr/cas/login?service...sistance-fo103

Mobile companies want us to do everything through their websites these days.

Re: Avoid mobile contract with SFR
 

Thanks but I've already spoken to someone in customer service. I would be very happy to unlock the phone via the website (anything rather than have to converse with these people) but I've tried several times - as has a friend - and it doesn't work. The problem is SFR doesn't want to unlock the phone. Because they know I'll be off to another operator pronto. They're obliged to unlock it by law but getting them to actually do it is another matter.
I went to Orange thinking they could give me some advice (especially as, once I'm free, the plan is to take my business to them) but they were spectacularly uninterested.
Do any businesses out there actually WANT my money?

Re: Avoid mobile contract with SFR
 

Sorry, I forgot to add, to anyone out there thinking of buying a mobile phone, don't do what I did and buy it from SFR. Get it from FNAC or similar and at least then it will come already unlocked.

Re: Avoid mobile contract with SFR
 

SFR seems to be French equivalent of UK Vodafone in terms of customer service - ie appalling, nobody takes responsibility or tries to help solve your problem, online chat tells you to go to the shop and the shop tells you go on online chat.
To be fair I don't see what Orange or any other provider could do to help you unlock an SFR phone.

Re: Avoid mobile contract with SFR
 

I know Orange can't give me any technical help but I was hoping they could give me some ideas about how to put pressure on SFR, eg threaten to go to the Direction des Fraudes.

Re: Avoid mobile contract with SFR
 

There are plenty of third parties who will unlock your phone over the internet for a small charge; you are not obliged to have SFR do it for. you.

Re: Avoid mobile contract with SFR
 

If you're really upset enough to take on SFR, I suggest you use UFC Que Choisir. I used them in a dispute with Orange and they held my hand in taking Orange to court. Orange did not even bother turning up for the hearing. I got a judgement and Orange paid up 2 weeks later.

Re: Avoid mobile contract with SFR
 

OK that's an option. Thanks for the info!

Re: Avoid mobile contract with SFR
 

SFR are a problem when it comes to landline service and broadband. Total service failure last October which they blamed on me. All efforts to get them to check failed. So, wrote and cancelled contract and stopped DD. Well, that set things running even threats to take me to court, then demanded equipment be returned or pay a cost factor. They kept sending me bills for the service, I sent letters to them saying go away. So, this week, just received a cheque for €69,90 for being overcharged. Six months plus to resolve. Now trying to go back to Orange who I left some years back, but at least they own the line. We shall see.....

Re: Avoid mobile contract with SFR
 

Every time I think about cancelling my orange contract to switch to a cheaper contract I have to remind myself of the risk of these kind of problems, which I also had when originally moving to France. SFR took 10 weeks to finally admit that they couldn't provide an internet service to my address, although had no problem invoicing and collecting direct debits. Finally got it all refunded but left a bad taste.

For mobiles, my kids have the 2€ contracts with Free which more than satisfies their needs for calls, SMS and limited internet. Phones were bought unlocked from the UK so not held to ransom by any provider.

Re: Avoid mobile contract with SFR
 

Just curious, why did they threaten to take you to court when you cancelled the contract?
I was under the impression I could cancel my landline contract with them anytime ( unlike my mobile contract, where I'm locked in for 2 years - except that they're putting up the price next month so that gives me a get-out under the Consumer Code).