Reviews - Phones 4U goes into admin following EE contract termination

[crossy]

its a shame less choice for consumers, the better way to get deals now is through sites like uswitch, omio and mobile comparison websites to get a better deal. I also hope consumer pressure group which will help clamp down on their contract prices when there trying to take the middle man like CPW and phones4u

Maybe I'm being very cynical today - but what's to stop the mobile companies from excluding those "3rd party" sites from access to their deals? After all, if the game plan is to force consumers into the carriers shops and onto their websites, then this seems like a natural progression.

I know that there's the "it's anti-competitive" angle, but that hasn't stopped some of the insurance companies (e.g. Aviva, DirectLine, etc) from doing exactly that. So if you want their products then you have to approach them directly.

[peterb]

I know that there's the "it's anti-competitive" angle, but that hasn't stopped some of the insurance companies (e.g. Aviva, DirectLine, etc) from doing exactly that. So if you want their products then you have to approach them directly.

There is no requirement for a company to sell its products or services through a third party though. Any company (or person) can sell their products directly to the end user.

[crossy]

There is no requirement for a company to sell its products or services through a third party though. Any company (or person) can sell their products directly to the end user.

Agreed - I was just making the point that saying something like "we needn't bother about P4U because we've got the online comparison sites" is ignoring the fact that you give above.

Actually if I was running a business based on insurance and mobile phone contract comparisons then I think I'd be looking to sell up and move on, as the business model is very shaky.

[peterb]

Agreed - I was just making the point that saying something like "we needn't bother about P4U because we've got the online comparison sites" is ignoring the fact that you give above.

Actually if I was running a business based on insurance and mobile phone contract comparisons then I think I'd be looking to sell up and move on, as the business model is very shaky.

Yes, although insurance is slightly more complicated - the problem comes trying to compare like with like - which is where insurance brokers were useful - they did all the comparisons and came up with the best policy for your requirements - or in some cases, negotiated directly with the underwriter for bespoke insurance - hence the brokerage bit of the title. And insurance brokers still do operate for specialised insurance requirements.

But that role has been taken on (for domestic/car policies by the comparison sites - although if you look at those, many of those offering insurance are policy resellers ('brokers' in a way).

[eiamhere69]

The mobile networks can cut out the middle man and make more money. Maybe its time to investigate them,otherwise they can form a nice cartel and bump up prices.

It's far too late for that. I'm not sure if the EU will hold an investigation into this matter, but even if they did, money talks and nothing would come of it.