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Carphone Warehouse Reviews

1.6 Rating 1,635 Reviews
13 %
of reviewers recommend Carphone Warehouse
1.6
Based on 1,635 reviews
Shipping & Delivery
Delivery Methods
Postal Service, Courier
Average Delivery Time
Within 5 Days
On-time Delivery
Greater than 25%
Accurate And Undamaged Orders
Greater than 85%
Customer Service
Communication Channels
Telephone, Live Chat, Email
Queries Resolved In
Over A Week
Customer Service
1.3 out of 5
Returns & Refunds
Refunds Process
Difficult
Returns Process
Could Be Better
Read Carphone Warehouse Reviews

About Carphone Warehouse:

The Carphone Warehouse was founded in 1989 to bring mobile services to consumers. The market has always been complex and our aim from the very beginning has been to offer our customers simple, impartial advice while also offering outstanding value. As a result we have grown from a handful of stores operating exclusively in the UK selling mobile handsets and contracts, to a European-wide platform of over 1,500 stores in 10 countries, providing a wide range of mobile and residential telecoms services.

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Phone:

0870 111 6565

Location:

The Carphone Warehouse, PO Box 375
Southampton
SO30 2PU

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Carphone Warehouse 1 star review on 14th March 2025
Billy
Carphone Warehouse 1 star review on 25th April 2022
Rachel Pollard
Carphone Warehouse 1 star review on 25th April 2022
Rachel Pollard
Carphone Warehouse 1 star review on 1st July 2021
Neil
Carphone Warehouse 5 star review on 1st September 2020
Ilyas
Carphone Warehouse 1 star review on 2nd July 2020
Brian Gillbanks
Carphone Warehouse 1 star review on 5th July 2017
Unsatisfactory Treatment!!!
4
Anonymous
Anonymous  // 01/01/2019
Unless you are heavily into sado-masochism do NOT attempt to procure your new portable cellular telephonic communication device from these baboons. My saga started in store on a Saturday when, after 3 hours of watching 3 staff attempt to provide me with a standard phone and contract, their IT system went down. I was asked to trot along to the cashpoint to pay in solid currency. On my return, they couldn’t actually manage that either. Home time. Sunday: another visit. Another hour whilst they did God only knows what on their computers. The lazy “couldn’t give a toss mate” sales assistant decided to guess my email address rather than ask me, resulting in a data breach as my personal data flew through the ether to a total stranger. Not satisfied with that utter balls up, I have now found out that he didn’t activate my SIM card which had now been allocated to another hapless soul. Cue 48 hours of dicking about between O2 and CPW before I eventually went back into store to cancel the lot and demand a refund. I’ve been told that’s been done, but we’ll see. I commend CPW management on their policy of employing exclusively those with severe special educational needs. At least the Saturday I spent there was spiced up by an attempted smash and grab and the arrival of a loud mouthed ‘regional manager’ who proceeded to prance around talking loudly about KPIs and his dizzy senior status. I thought they were filming an episode of ‘Phoneshop’, but no; these people really exist. AVOID.
Helpful Report
Posted 7 years ago
Pre-ordered iphone x on the 27th October, and one of the first to do so in my local store. I paid the upfront cost and adjusted my tariff as it was an upgrade. I went along on 3rd November to collect my new phone and was told it wasn't there?? No phone call, no email, no text and no phone call. I got a very limp apology from store worker and that was it and he said it might be in on the 7th november. I left the store feeling slight pi**ed up and bewildered. I called the call center and was then told that I would probably have to wait until the 17th November. Again I got a very limp apology which I said none of this was good enough since they are happy to take my money and couldn't deliver on the deal. At this point, I decided to cancel it. Call centre told me that I have to speak to someone in the store. I go back to the shop to cancel the whole thing, only to be told that sorry we can't do anything now until the phone arrives, you might have to wait 72 hours to get a refund. Now its late Saturday night, and I still haven't had any feedback from the carphone warehouse, no apology or anything. Its like doing business in Victorian Britain. I used the carphone warehouse many times in the past I will never use them again.
Helpful Report
Posted 7 years ago
I can only describe the experience of trying to buying a phone from these people as something akin to stabbing yourself with a rusty corkscrew – a short, sharp initial pain followed by all the slow excruciating symptoms of tetanus in the following days. Be prepared for a rapid heartbeat, stiffness in your jaw muscles, sweating and painful muscle spasms, when trying to correspond by both email and telephone. To my surprise my credit was initially declined for a 1 month contract, for £13.99 in total. I was directed to EE and, after a short battle; common sense prevailed with the decision overturned. However Carphone Warehouse, it would appear, has no way to complete a previous order without rerunning a fresh credit check. This would surely have failed a second time, and I would again be sent crawling back to EE to appeal, which CPW cannot use... triggering a new credit check, and on and on. Despite a fruitless odyssey through customer service consisting of at least 5 different conversations over 3 days, all offering differing advice; I was not able to extricate myself from this soul crushing death spiral. I have NEVER had so much trouble trying to exchange legal tender for a mobile telephone. It was basically like Groundhog Day but without the heart-warming finale... like if it ended after Bill Murray drops the toaster in the bath.
Helpful Report
Posted 7 years ago
Pre ordered an I phoneX from CPW and was assured it would be delivered to my local store (Newtownards) today 3rd Nov. I went into the store and asked if it had been delivered. One person said that the DPD delivery had not been yet, meanwhile another started looking through a load of phones behind the counter, they couldn't find my phone stood up and said it hadn't come in on this mornings delivery. Was there or wasn't there a delivery? I was told to call back later which I did only to be told that it had not come in on the mornings delivery which was prior to my first visit. Before I visited the store the second time I tried to ring to save me a journey, no answer, I knew this wasn't a busy store so before entering it I called the number again, three people were working in the store none of which was with a customer when I phoned, not one of them made any effort to answer the phone. I have now been told the phone will be here next week and they will call me to let me know when. I wont be holding my breath. I think they just promise customers things to get the orders knowing they cant fulfill their promises. A very poor company to deal with! I should have read reviews before dealing with them.
Helpful Report
Posted 7 years ago
Having been a customer with carphone warehouse and bombarded with messages from Carphone Warehouse to upgrade my phone, I contacted I them and purchased a new phone. Told it would be delivered on Sunday...waited in all day...never arrived. Telephoned Carphone warehouse the following day. Advised the deliver would be on Tuesday...never arrived. Telephoned carphone warehouse on Thursday and spent over 2 hours being passed around from one sales assistant to another!. Finally advised if I gave her a minute, she would call me back....never did. Have cancelled the phone and contract with this dreadful company and demanded my money back for the phone. Will go with another company as carphone warehouse appear to be more interested in getting your money than providing any decent form of customer service. If i could give them no stars I would!
Helpful Report
Posted 7 years ago
6 month old phone failed. Took it to store and 2 months later they told me "we're no longer authorised to repair motorolla phones so you need contact them directly and they will charge you £20 to collect it and then repair it"! I refused to take the phone away from the shop and was told I had to call customer services. After 45 mins of being fobbed off I was put on hold and transferred to someone else without being told! I then demanded a manager and 15 minutes later left it that I would see them in the small claims court! It's not my problem that you are no longer a motorrola authorised dealer carphonwe warehouse! It's your problem. Refund, repair or replace it please.
Helpful Report
Posted 7 years ago
Complete disaster and mayhem. These people are incompetent. Tried to transfer two contracts from one network to another they failed at every stage and have left us to sort out their mess for ourselves. It has cost us money, time and huge amounts of stress, avoid Carphone Warehouse like the plague.
Helpful Report
Posted 7 years ago
I went to the Carphone Warehouse at Wincheap, Canterbury and saw a young man called George. He helped organise new ID sim cards for my two teenage children, myself and my husband, as our EE bill was becoming ridiculous, costing me nearly £70 per month. This young man spent A LOT of time explaining different deals with us, and even helped by contacting EE from the store to help me as EE were trying to charge me a fee for being in what they called a SIM commitment and trying to end the commitment early, something I had never signed up for! I would HIGHLY recommend this young man if you need help and advice as I have worked in Customer Service in the past for a considerable amount of years, and I have never come across anyone so helpful both with advice on what products the company is selling and their after-care service. WELL DONE GEORGE - I wish more staff in more stores were like you
Helpful Report
Posted 7 years ago
Seriously, for your sanity's sake just don't buy anything from any of the stores. Found a good deal? NOT WORTH IT. Found a good phone? NOT WORTH IT. I plead you, just save yourself. Go somewhere else!
Helpful Report
Posted 7 years ago
I bought a Nokia 6 from their stratford store and wanted to return it within 3 days as the phone was sluggish. They had a tech support guy who did some checks and said that the phone has no issues and that he will not take it back. I was forced to buy another phone with a warning that I would not be able to return that even it had issues. Useless customer service. No respect for UK laws.
Helpful Report
Posted 7 years ago
Don't believe everything car phone warehouse tells you.l was persuaded to go on the id network on the understanding that if that network wasn't available then the phone drops to the next available network.Unfortunately this doesn't happen as all the available networks are forbidden and Id say that this service isn't available on their network. Car phone warehouse were not interested that they miss sold this phone so I am locked in to a two year contract.I can opt for cancelling the contract with Id by paying the outstanding two years premiums. As we appear to live in a bad reception area for id I have been unable to be contacted several times in an emergency. As carphone warehouse is guilty of deliberately mis-selling this product they should be putting it right.
Helpful Report
Posted 7 years ago
Carphone warehouse has lousy customer service and sales staff miss sell products. I was sold an expensive screen protector (ZAGG). It was supposedly replaced for life. Apparently NOT! I was told all I'd to do was Register my details online, and I'd automatically be able to get a replacement screen when I needed one, well! It was impossible to get a replacement online so I went into the branch I got it from initially (Oxford Circus). After explaining what had happened, it was replaced. The second time I went in, I was told that the girl who served me had not done the right thing. And that I was not eligible for a replacement so on and so forth. Basically I'd to buy a new screen protector. I didn't! I went into another branch (Charlton) to get a phone as a gift. The staff were busy talking to each other, I had to ask for help. I was obviously a huge inconvenience. Through the entire transaction the member of staff serving me and his colleague had an personal conversation. Then I went to the Liverpool Street branch for a back up charger. It cost me £9.99. It basically worked ONCE. I tried all sorts of cables and sockets. Finally I went into the store to complain, only to be told that nothing could be done! Customer service sucks at Carphone.
Helpful Report
Posted 7 years ago
Pre ordered the new iPhone x and paid deposit which was supposed to be matched. After 3 hrs arguing with their team about whether I paid the deposit or not on the day I was supposed to sign my contract (keep in mind I had 3 confirmation emails and text messages) they told me I should pay the full deposit AGAIN and then clear it up with customer services after I received my handset! Thanks but no thanks carphone warehouse, I have cancelled and will take my business elsewhere.
Helpful Report
Posted 7 years ago
Went into the Bristol Avonmeads branch with a non-responsive phone, at about 18:45, ( the shop closes at 19:00). I didn't hold out much hope, it was really just a last resort, as I don't even have a contract with them. However, Stacey, the branch manager, I believe, was so helpful and patient, she worked on it for about half an hour, 15 minutes past closing time and actually solved the problem. What fantastic service, it's a shame not everyone else has this level of care and commitment to society. Thank you Stacey, you're a real star! You've restored my faith in humanity!
Helpful Report
Posted 7 years ago
I purchased a mobile phone at £90 only to discover that I do not have a reception on the ID network (owned by Carphone Warehouse). the female on the phone cancelled my sim and told me to take the phone back to the shop. Went to the shop only to be told they do not under any circumstance give refunds. The only thing they can do is exchange it for a cheaper phone which I am going to have to do. I now have a cheap £23 phone which I can't use. I would definitely tell people NOT to buy from Carphone Warehouse.
Helpful Report
Posted 7 years ago
Had two terrible expirience with CP. One in The Store while back, i ignored on The day however my partner was furies How rude The staff was! Today i expiriance that my self over the phone I got a £30 Nokia for my mum online on Monday. Over night CArphonewerehouse try’s to withdraw £114 from my card twice bank called they notice the unusual activity and we stopped the 3th one! Called CP spoke to 3 different unhelpful, rude and arrogant customer service advisor I ever come a cross! I end up handing this over to credit card company to deal with them as CP wouldn’t even try to help! I’m discusted, upset and ungry ! Will never ever get anything from them even if is free !!!
Helpful Report
Posted 7 years ago
Staff in the wood green branch are all very friendly,polite and helpful. I recommend anyone wanting phone advice or just general help to ask for Will his knowledge and customer service are impeccable.
Helpful Report
Posted 7 years ago
My current contract, purchased through Carphone with T Mobile had run it's course .I started receiving emails from EE offering a free upgrade . A few months later my phone packed up and I visited the Eastbourne branch,to purchase a replacement . I happened to mention to the assistant that I had been received the upgrade advice from EE. This appears to have been the signal to shaft me with a new two year contract, something I didn't require or ask for .This activity all took place under the cover of what I thought was the purchase of a new phone. A free upgrade which will have cost me £700 by the end of the contract. Their response to my complaint- " ask EE if they will cancel the contract ". Is this how you retain existing customers? I DON'T THINK SO. And the phone upgrade? The assistant suggested that a Moto G3 was indeed an upgrade to an LG G2. REALLY????????
Helpful Report
Posted 7 years ago
I traded in my Samsung galaxy S6 online, received the envelope to return the phone, did that straight away as email confirmation said return phone within 7 days of receiving to complete process and receive payment within 3 days by BACS or cheque. I did this 4 weeks later still waiting for payment, i have tracked the phone via royal mail yes they have revived, they have confirmed they have it and its waiting to be processed, i call 2 times a week for update and get told by customer services we have to email trade in there is no telephone number for them? they will take 48 hours to reply but they never do. I feel that they have stolen my phone. Any ideas what i can do i have even called local shop they said you did it online we cant help but you should have done it in the shop and this would not have happened!!!
Helpful Report
Posted 7 years ago
Aftercare Ordered 2 Samsung S8 phones costing £1378 on 29.08.17 which entitled me to 2 free VR Headsets. One headset was despatched on 03.10.17. When I telephoned Customer Service they said they would escalate it to their warehouse which would take 3 to 5 working days for a response. No one had called me as of 15.0.17. I lodged an official complaint about my complaint and how long it had taken to resolve and was told I would receive a response in another 3 to 5 working days. Customer Services have been unhelpful and speaking to a Manager eventually, after being told on several occasions Managers were not available, was useless. Still not received 2nd VR Headset or a telephone call. I buy all my phones and tablets from them but not now. Their Customer Service is the worst I have had the misfortune to have spoken to
Helpful Report
Posted 7 years ago
Carphone Warehouse is rated 1.6 based on 1,635 reviews