Swap scam

[Charlie2898]

I've recently swapped my iPhone 14 Pro Max and I've just been charge £284 on my bill. Not in one bit of information was I passed on that I would pay this phone off I was told I just swapped. I could easily of sold the phone and then got a new contract I'm confused. Where do I stand with sky over either pay monthly of just sending my phone back and cancelling altogether? With this being so close to Christmas I'm utterly distraught 

[caesarome]

@Charlie2898 

Usually what happens is when you put a swap through you are given a valuation of the phone you are returning based on the information you provide about its condition. If this isn't enough pay off what you owe you should have been told this as up to this point you can reject the offer and therefore not continue with the swap.

[PandJ2020]

When you swap you are given an estimated value.  This hopefully pays off your outstanding credit (depending on condition/market value).  If there's any shortfall then the whole difference becomes payable on your next bill.

We have no details of what's happened here, but if you swap 'early' there's a higher chance of a residual amount.

If you are within your cooling off period then you can send your new phone back and cancel the contract but you'll still owe the difference on your old phone (in full on the next bill) - unless you can convince Sky to return it to you (possibly too late now).

[Charlie2898]

Unfortunately every email sent to me regarding the remaing balance had ended up in my junk folder. According to sky team they have incorrectly charged me

[PandJ2020]

---

@Charlie2898 wrote:

Unfortunately every email sent to me regarding the remaing balance had ended up in my junk folder. According to sky team they have incorrectly charged me

---

Ok, best to take it up with them then...

[caesarome]

---

@Charlie2898 wrote:

Unfortunately every email sent to me 

---

I don't know about these emails but what I posted earlier appears on the screen when you are doing the swap online.

[Charlie2898]

During my swap online it only stated what the value of the phone would be but not any information regarding paying anything off that's the confusion I'm having 

[63johnw]

Hi @Charlie2898  all explained here, look in. The drop down box for 36 months. 

https://www.sky.com/help/articles/sky-mobile-upgrades?DCMP=ilc-skycom:na_swap_help

[Lion851519]

I have just logged an official complaint with Sky with regards to their alleged "swap" scheme. I swapped under the impression that Sky would offer £199 for my old handset under the price shown when I started the exchange. A week later, was told on assessment of my phone that only £99 would be paid and the rest would be added to my bill for me to pay. The reason for taking this much off the value was apparent screen burn at 97%. I have to add that mt phone was in perfect condition. That amount of screen damage would clearly be seen on the screen if it was in fact present. I declined their offer, requested my phone back and got a quote from computer exchange. They offered £225 for which they categorised as a Grade B, good condition. This says it all about the dishonesty and money making of Sky's Swap scam. See if you can get your phone sent back and log a complaint to dispute the valuation. Definitely get a valuation outside of Sky. Good luck. 

[badgerz]

surely if your giving your phone back with 250 to pay , then that should be knocked off the new contract , not added.   you take the phone ANDake the customer pay  off the full contract.  you guys are like mafia 🤷🏻

[daveNOS]

@badgerz The price offered for a returned device depends on its condition, if it's less than perfect then it's inevitable that there will be some balance left to pay and that will be added to the next bill.

You are of course free to reject the valuation and sell the device privately if you think you can get a better price, you can then use that to pay off what is owed. 

[PandJ2020]

---

@badgerz wrote:

you guys are like mafia 🤷🏻

---

Just paying off a regulated credit agreement.  Not quite the mafia.

[badgerz]

it just seems off that sky have offered me 135 pound for an s23 that has never been out of a case , scratch free it's literally brand new.  after they told me I could swap my phone.   if I'm giving sky my s23 with only a bit remaining for a 700 pound phone, I should not be giving them any money especially a quarter of the price of the new phone as well as my old one. .  it's easier to pay my phone off , sell it myself and then get a phone of sky, saving A LOT of money.   seems they have got things backwards. 

[PandJ2020]

---

@badgerz wrote:

I should not be giving them any money especially a quarter of the price of the new phone as well as my old one. . 

---

It all depends on the remaining credit owing on it...  Values of models takes a hit when newer models are released - or swapping too early...

In theory, swapping at the correct time (e.g. 2 years for a Swap24), the residual value should cover the remaining credit depending on condition but is not guaranteed.

You can, of course, take a different route as you highlighted.

[badgerz]

I was more surprised than anything.  my phone is IMACULATE cash generator would have given my more and that saying something.  it's literally grade A+ . sky should offer more and then knock it back when seen. but to offer that little before they have even had just made me want to put my contract off and keep the phone.    I'm not playing their game anymore.    anyways thanks peeps. 👌🏻