Mystery Caller: Tablet deals

Mystery Caller wants to get a tablet that can connect to the web, but is open-minded about which device and data plan he gets. With so much leeway, which operators will come up with the best tablet deals

6: O2

Too few options and a lack of enthusiasm left me unimpressed

Manner – 2/5
Understanding – 2/5
Knowledge – 2/5
Helpfulness – 2/5
Clarity – 3/5
Overall – 2/5
Total – 13/30

5: Virgin Mobile

Virgin couldn’t get me a tablet, but was happy to give me a SIM if I got my own

Manner – 3/5
Understanding – 2/5
Knowledge – 2/5
Helpfulness – 3/5
Clarity – 2/5
Overall – 3/5
Total – 15/30

4: Three

Gavin only sounded interested when I was ending the call

Manner – 3/5
Understanding – 4/5
Knowledge – 4/5
Helpfulness – 3/5
Clarity – 3/5
Overall – 3/5
Total – 20/30

3: Vodafone

The labyrinth of automted systems didn’t help sell a stingy data package

Manner –4/5
Understanding – 4/5
Knowledge – 3/5
Helpfulness – 3/5
Clarity – 4/5
Overall – 3/5
Total – 21/30

2: Orange

Pointing out the iPad’s shortcomings was a nice extra on top of simple data pricing

Manner – 4/5
Understanding –4/5
Knowledge – 4/5
Helpfulness – 4/5
Clarity – 4/5
Overall – 4/5
Total – 24/30

1: T-Mobile

I really appreciated knowing the limits of ‘unlimited’

Manner – 4/5
Understanding – 4/5
Knowledge – 4/5
Helpfulness – 4/5
Clarity – 5/5
Overall – 4/5
Total – 25/30

Summary

A decent performance from most of the CSAs, though James let O2 down with his lack of interest and knowledge.

Virgin did relatively well in recommending a contract for use with my own tablet, even if it wasn’t able to o er any devices over the phone. However, that didn’t quite make up for Harsi’s poor knowledge of what products are out there. Three did better due to good knowledge and a huge data package.

But in the end, it was T-Mobile and Orange that o ered by far the best combination of appealing packages, devices and customer service, with T-Mobile just pipping its stable-mate to the top spot with that extra explanation about often-confusing ‘fair usage’ policies.

Full review in Mobile News issue 493 (July 18, 2011).