It appears that the cull goes on with O2 ditching Midlands dealers Phonebox and Go Mobile. As is usual for the networks, they promised the dealers they could keep their consumerbase yet quite happily renaged on that insisting that the consumer base was to be dealt with by O2 alone.

This just shows that networks are hardly honourable, and are hardly going out of their way to asist or help dealers.  We do wonder where the next chop will be, not forgetting that the next segment may be the distributors, with rumors circulating of yet another round of network consolidated cuts coming, perhaps the time is coming when more and more distributors band together and merge for the sake of their industry and survival.

Orange moves to penalise dealers with unfair terms.

Orange has announced through distributors that they have changed the policy on IVR checks.

They are now saying through abuse that dealers landline numbers are not acceptable.  Instead they are now insisting that dealers can only do IVR checks through an Orange Pay Monthy mobile phone. 

The new policy states that dealers can only access the IVR from an Orange Pay Monthly handset that is registered and billed to the business address as per your Orange account details.

This means you will not be able to use a landline number or any other network mobile phone to check customer upgrade bandings

The IMPDA agrees that abuse of the system should be dealt with, and we would hope that Any network which finds abuse by a dealer will terminate that dealer code, in fact we would say to Orange that either make the mobile charge FREE or do away with it all and have all IVR checks done through their online portal, however........

The IMPDA will be trying to talk to the network on this issue, because we do not see why any dealer should have to pay a monthly line rental to Orange, just so they can check an upgrade so that they can get the customer to have a Orange phone, on an Orange tarrif on the Orange network.  This is in effect a charge by the network for using the IVR system, and the IMPDA feels this is wrong and that dealers should not have to pay to use the service nor should they be forced to pay Orange a monthly tarrif, when they are trying to get customers onto their network.

The IMPDA will continue to try to get an answer on this issue and will publish as soon as we have some news.

Many will have no doubt seen the Fone Magazine and the article headed in the “informer” section “Independents Plan Network Strike Action”.

Firstly let me say that representing the  IMPDA we spent some 2 hours with the reporter, and stated the aim, the history and where we as the IMPDA and dealers hoped to be in the future.  We also made it plain that we wanted to talk to networks to discuss and plan for the future, and stressed the need for dealers to get on board with the IMPDA because the future is what you make it, and the dealers have to act now to make that future happen..

We are dismayed as at no time during the interviews did we mention the word strike.  The reporter mentioned the rumors we had also heard and to which our posts were quite plain about on the MB Magazine forum, that we were hearing of a 2 day non connection day NOT a strike!

We were asked if enough dealers wanted to do this would the IMPDA be willing to organize it. Of  course we said yes we would co-ordinate this if the dealers asked us to, as we would want to ensure that customers would not be affected by such action and that dealers would also not suffer.  We also went on to say that in our opinion if this was to occur, then this could have serious implications for the networks, because if sales were not put though until the after the weekend, then with so many connections going through some network systems may crash.

By definition Strike action, often simply called a strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal by employees to perform work.  The IMPDA has never put this forward and we would neither ask for not condone this. 

With the IMPDA in its early stages, and with members still joining, all it does is to give the impression that the IMPDA  are a confrontational association, which is the furthest thing from the truth. The reporter referred to this as a strike, we referred to it as a non connection day which has a different meaning.  We hope that the networks and Distributors and Dealers realise that the IMPDA has not CALLED for a strike, but we have said we will support and organize this IF dealers wish to do this. 

W have been told a further article regarding the IMPDA will be published in a few weeks time, meanwhile If anyone would like further information on this interview, please feel free to contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or you can call me direct on our forum contact numbers

The chink in the armour of 3 network now is starting to be seen this month. With 3's new business plans with a built in catch now launched, dealers are giving a mixed reaction to it, not the loud cheer that 3 expected.  With the 3 networks customer service as about as much use as "Faltey Towers" and now customers have to talk to India instead of the UK....what ever are 3 thinking of.  Unfortunatly 3's UK  marketing director said "We are doing for small businesses what we did for consumers" Oh you poor devils, so you business is going to suffer now as well then?

The new 3 tariff on a fantastic £15 per month line rental for life is a great deal for the consumer, but is it going to be the marvel for dealers, when upgrade time comes around, we dont think so, especialy when you consider that this phone is also subject to 3 networks recent clawbacks and cancellations, it begs the question is it worth selling whilst 3 takes this silly ill thought out set of regulations.

Hat's off to European Telecom one of the main UK Distributors, they are the first to go out of their way to assist dealers, by introducing extra documentation which will go with each handset delivered to the customer, with special wording, this will help to prevent returns and in turn help dealers.  They have instigated this as a short measure, pending information back from 3 network on their latest order regarding 14 day MBG, when it is hoped that a clearer picture will emerge.

It is refreshing that at least a main Distributor is actually helping dealers and giving full assistance, we can only hope that other dealer distribution companies, take note and do something themselves.  European Telecom has taken the lead in this, and so deserves a round of applause and the backing of the IMPDA in taking this initutive and in doing so we are designating the award of excellence this month to European Telecom..Well done!

Three Network today, did it again to the UK dealers.  They announced through distributors etc that ANY customer who breaks the seal or uses the phone even for 1 call or text message, then the dealer will NOT receive a full refund, despite the customer having the right to a full refund under consumer law.

It does beg the question, have 3 network taken leave of their senses.  They are not the biggest network in the uk, and after all the problems they have had and their low consumer base, you would think that this would be the one network to help dealers, but NO.

We agree with the network in their attempt to improve quality and to weed out the bad dealers which have given us all a bad name, but this surly is a step too far, even the distributors are doumbfounded as to why the network is appearing to be on a road to self distruction.  If they really want to lose good dealers they are on the right road to do it.

Most people who receive a package will open it to see what it looks like, it could be too small or too large, It gives the consumer time to know if they are happy with the item, if not they have a right to return it.  But why should networks penalise dealers for this.  Do we dealers not have a right to a full refund, and who is to say that the phone HAS been used, where is the proof, we only have the network's word for it!

There are many issues as to why a mobile may be returned, and we feel that for the network to just impliment this into the terms and conditions is unjust and unfair on all uk dealers.

We would call on the network to answer this charge especially when the network still to this day practices blatent discrimination in the cashback issue.  Perhaps the next step is an approach to the telecomms regulator in the issue of cashback discrimination and to 3G Hutchinson Whampoa in repect of this latest attack on dealers.