The arses at UnlockTelecom just took £3.99 from me

Since I’ve been looking at getting my iPhone unlocked, I was wondering whether it was possible to unlock a 3UK handset online. Obviously I was under the impression that it wasn’t possible — 3UK really do properly lock their devices.

So I thought I’d check.

I visited a few mobile unlock sites and eventually settled on UnlockTelecom.co.uk which looked to me to talk-the-talk.

I saw Hutchinson in the list and selected it, then I selected the ‘Nokia’ brand and typed in ‘E65’ as the model number.

I did my PayPal payment. £3.99.

Then I got my order right away.

It appears I’ve paid just under four quid to be told that it’s not possible to unlock my handset.

Here is the bullshit that I received on screen:

Thank you for your order.

Your unlocking information for your mobile phone handset to make it sim free to use on any mobile phone network is below:

As your model is not compatible with our in-house software unlocking methods, as per our home page and terms page, we have provided you below with reliable information from our database on any alternative unlocking methods currently available for your model that we have on record. Information is constantly updated and guaranteed to be accurate.

Using our comprehensive up-to-date database of mobile phone data, we have checked for you to find reliable methods/software downloads available to remotely unlock this model. This service is covered by your payment as per our terms page.

It was with slight disbelief that I scrolled down some more:

Recommendations to unlock this model.

Due to software encryption programmed in the version of this model, it can be only unlocked by 1 safe reliable method remotely.

By the existing mobile network operators own services that it is locked to. You are in credit for another mobile unlock for any model on our list which you will find on our terms page or a pay-as-you-go sim card for any of the major UK networks. You can request this free unlock or sim card by emailing to us at any time via the contact form.

So, you KNEW my handset couldn’t be unlocked — in fact, more or less anyone submitting an order and selecting Hutchison as the mobile operator falls into this category — yet, you took my cash.

Now I’m in credit if I’d like to unlock another device……. rubbish.

The text is careful to state that ‘as per our home page and terms page’ (i.e. we haven’t legally screwed you).

But that’s not good business at all. Knowingly taking payment to unlock a handset that you can’t actually unlock — then saying ‘ah, it’s ok, we’ve given you a credit’ — is just ridiculous. I understand it’s legal, it’s just ridiculous.

It’s one of those times you just have to issue a wry smile and remember never to trust this type of company again!

I can justify the four quid as an expense toward blog content here at SMS Text News. But for anyone else wanting to unlock their 3UK handset… first, remember, speak to 3UK first, second, definitely, definitely don’t use UnlockTelecom.co.uk (“Visual Effects Ltd”).