New Marketing Director at Phones 4U

Russell Braterman has joined Phones 4U from Unilever as Marketing Director, replacing Jim Slater who left at the end of August. [Source: Mobile News]

Ofcom ends Phones 4U investigation

Ofcom has closed its 6-month investigation into the activities of Phones 4U after persuading the retailer to change its handset return policy, its chequeback terms and its sales practices. It says Phones 4U had been acting in a way that breached aspects of the Sale of Goods Act 1979, the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977, the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 and the Control of Misleading Advertising Regulations 1988. [Ofcom bulletin]

Phones 4U marketing director leaves

The Marketing Director at Phones 4U, Jim Slater, has left the company this month. He'd been wth Phones 4U for four years, having joined from Sunderland Football Club. [Source: BrandRepublic.com]

Ofcom investigates Phones 4U

Telecomms regulator Ofcom has opened an investigation into Phones 4U to ascertain whether or not the company has breached any relevant consumer protection legislation, infringed any law or harmed the interests of consumers. It says it's started investigating after having received a large number of complaints via the Consumer Direct advice service and to Ofcom’s Advisory Team about a range of issues including mis-selling.

Phones 4U buying Dial-a-Phone

Phones 4u is to buy Dial-a-Phone, which sells mobile phones online at http://www.dialaphone.co.uk/ and http://www.mobileexpress.co.uk/ and through a London-based telesales operation. 4u Group CEO Tim Whiting said “Dial-a-Phone’s strong brand and high level of expertise in the direct market are a perfect complement to Phones 4u’s brand and strength on the High Street. Combining the Dial-a-Phone business with the Phones 4u direct operation will significantly increase our share of the direct mobile phone market. We are looking forward to welcoming Dial-a-Phone to the 4u Group and believe it will play a significant part in the continued expansion of our mobile phone distribution business.” Cellular-News.com reports that Dial-a-Phone is being sold for £9 million. [PDF press release]