*** The following post is a PAID advertisement ***
I recently had the opportunity to review UniquePhones, a remote mobile phone unlocking service that has generated over 2.9 million unlock codes to date.
UniquePhones has unlock codes for over 1500 handsets from most of the leading manufactures including LG, Siemens, Motorola, and many others, including my personal favorite, BlackBerry. The price range for unlock codes vary as greatly as the devices they support from as low as $1.99 all the way up to $25.99, which happens to be the price to unlock a BlackBerry.
I am being paid for this review, however, you will get my honest opinion as it is far from raving. It’s not a scathing review either, however, I do have a few concerns and maybe UniquePhones can take this review as a bit constructive criticism.
My guess is that the overwhelming majority of the 2.9 million unlock codes that UniquePhones has sold have gone off without a hitch. Most of the forums and blogs that I found that mention UniquePhones do so in a positive light and generally comment on how much cheaper UniquePhones unlock codes are compared to other services.
The few times that I found negative feedback, complaints seemed to revolve around two themes:
- My Unlock Code didn’t work and I couldn’t receive a refund.
- Support was very unresponsive or flat out didn’t contact me back.
Unfortunately, I am experiencing the latter issue as I type this. Before I ever use a service that I purchase online, I test out customer support. I noticed that the list of BlackBerry devices supported by UniquePhones is fairly dated with the newest device being the BlackBerry 7105t. I opened a ticket simply asking if any of the newer BlackBerry devices such as the 8700c or the 7130g are supported. After four days I still have yet to hear anything back from UniquePhones even after I updated the ticket asking for an update.
This type of delay is just not acceptable for a service like what UniquePhones offers and the company needs to improve in this area.
If you have had any experiences, good or bad, with UniquePhones, leave us a comment and tell us about it. Additionally, I invite anyone from UniquePhones to respond as to how they are improving support because I see this as being the one area that is holding them back.
You can find more information about UniquePhones by visiting their website at www.uniquephones.com.
*** The previous post was a PAID advertisement ***
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{ 54 comments… read them below or add one }
Peter Hope-Tindall 12.03.06 at 6:51 pm
I’ve used uniquephones 4 times successfully and was very happy.
I also had problems twice - they had website problems and their script generated an error instead of an unlock code.
I tried using their support page to request help.
It seems that there is, in reality no help there.
I ended up having to dispute using paypal to get my money back.
Very very unacceptable!
They didn’t even respond to paypal - ended up deciding with me after a month when the vendor didn’t respond.
It’s strange - they just dont seem to care; maybe they are hoping people will go away instead of asking for their $1.99 back (kind of like the old vending machines that gobbled your money and didn’t work!)
PHT
Phil Woodhouse 01.17.07 at 1:47 pm
I ordered an unlock code for my Blackberry 8700v after reading an advertisement claiming to give me the code within 10 minutes of my payment. Upon completion of the tranaction (UniquePhones having taken £14.99 from my credit card) I received a note saying that they were currently out of stock of that particular code and someone would contact me within 24 hrs. That was 2 days ago, having sent 2 emails requesting update information I have not received any response at all. I can only assume this to be a fraudulent scam - I’m not at all impressed - these type of ‘phonies’ leave a nasty taste in the mouth.
alison 01.25.07 at 8:15 pm
I ordered an unlock code for my sony ericsson phone. I paid 14.99 and got a response saying there was an error. I have posted two messages asking them about a refund and have had no reply. It has been 8 days now. There service is ridculously bad and I would advise people not to get unlock codes from them.
Phil Woodhouse 01.26.07 at 1:41 pm
It’s now a further 10 days since I posted my message - I’ve still not had the courtesy of a single reply or notification from uniquephones. This has to be a scam - I have reported the matter to PayPal who as yet haven’t received a reply either. My advice to people is to keep well clear of uniquephones.
Kristi 02.13.07 at 4:26 pm
I’m extremely upset - I paid $19.99 for an unlock code for my motorola V3, there website advertises that they will have a code within 24 hours of the order. It’s now been 3 days and they have not responed to me or any of the tickets I have opened up concerning the issue. They are a SCAM!!!!!
GaryH 02.15.07 at 2:06 pm
I had an experience much the same as the majority of comments I come across on the web about the ‘Unique’ ’service’ (or not!!!) that UniquePhones rip you off for. (Wished I had looked at the reviews on the web before being taken for a fool.)
I ordered V3 unlock code using the handy paypal approach, money taken quickly, user name & password delivered via automatic email within minutes. (All looked great except that, when you try to use the user/password all you get is a message advising that User Name & Password is invalid, this has continued for more than 4 weeks now.)
I raised a ticket using the support@Uniquephones web log. (There have been many updates to the original log, all by me, asking politely for help or money back.)
No response, no emails…
Apart from seeking compensation from paypal, I have given up now. (Unique Phones is obviously a scam…)
PS. I have received great service from a company called Bright Mobile. (£10.00 for the full unlocking, PDS rebuild service which I completed using access to their server within 30 mins of Bright Mobile.com taking my money.)
PPS. I had a lot of email discussion with the Bright Mobile helpdesk before purchase & most replys were within 20 mins. Even at 10:00 at night. I recommend this as a test of how good the company is. (ie. if the helpdesk can respond to you within the same day, then maybe the company has integrity.) Well Done Bright Mobile for a fantastic service.
Earl Camembert 04.24.07 at 12:21 pm
I paid with PayPal and UniquePhones did send an e-mail but no unlock code.
PayPal must be sick of the thieves as they would not honor my dispute.
Avoid both.
Paul 05.20.07 at 6:13 pm
I ordered a code for my motorola razr v3 on May 5/07. Here it is May 20
and still no code.
No response from support via their web support site nor via email.
Next step will be to call the credit card company.
kerry 05.23.07 at 11:27 am
Oh dear, it seems that we have all been conned by this company. I too have ordered an unlock code on 09/05 for my daughters phone and as of today 23/05 still nothing. I have raised tickets - no response! I have telephoned - no response! I paid £18.99 for this code and nothing. I am not a happy at all.
And another thing, they must still be actively renewing the site content because 3 days after i purchased the price for my particular phone had been reduced to £9.99.
Next step for me……Paypal.
Dieter 05.25.07 at 2:01 pm
after reading all comments, I must say uniquephones.com worked amazingly well for me: I placed my order with uniquephones.com at 2007-05-24 23:34:53 and received my (working) code not instantly, but less than 12 hours later.
gutted 05.30.07 at 2:21 pm
Well seems like I should have checked out your comments first too !!
Have consistently tried to call to that rediculous answer message, but to no avail yet! Ordered on Wed 23rd it is now 30th 4 emails and 20+ phone calls no response ?????
Andrew Wong 06.14.07 at 11:23 pm
I am getting the same experience as others, no unlock code or support. I bought a vodafone sharp 902sh and wanted to get an unlock code, it said t was back orded, but I waited and never got a response back. I just did a paypal dispute. it was 23.99usd I thought I could just get a code to unlock my phone, isntead I still have a locked phone and no money back yet. grrr
Paul Hope 06.19.07 at 5:52 pm
“uniquephones” is a complete shame and disgrace!!!
I paid them 14.99 USD to unlock my Motorola V190 cell phone (which they claim to be able to unlock on their ads) that was locked to Cingular and they couldn’t unlock it and refused to refund my money. That was over a month ago and I’ve been sending them reminders ever since…which they utterly ignored. This was my first time dealing with them and I’ll NEVER do it again! I’d strongly recommend that you be very cautious when making online payments to this company because it might very well be a scam…as it was in my case!
andrew wong 06.20.07 at 4:33 pm
I filed a paypal despite, and esclated it, if they dont respond by friday, I’ll get my money back
Richard Tainsh 06.26.07 at 3:50 am
Uniquphones are con-men. I Paid £14.99 and got nothing from them, tried to get a refund via paypal, but got nothing. DO NOT use Uniquephones. You risk loosing your money. Its a scam.
Angie Santos 08.13.07 at 10:27 pm
After requesting an unlocking code, I read this comments… they took more than 24 hours (probably 48), but I got it and it worked so… don’t worry
Angie Santos 08.13.07 at 10:28 pm
After requesting an unlocking code, I read these comments and I was worried… they took more than 24 hours (probably 48), but I got it and it worked so… not that bad…
Bossanov 08.15.07 at 9:30 pm
I also paid $14.00 via paypal and received nothing. I will be filing a dispute and advising PayPal to drop them.
ExxonE 08.22.07 at 3:32 pm
Ordered a blackberry unlock 30 hours ago… think I’ll go to paypal, becaus I’ve got no code! Just like everyone else!
Jerry 09.27.07 at 12:21 pm
DO NOT use Uniquephones!DO NOT use Uniquephones!DO NOT use Uniquephones!DO NOT use Uniquephones!DO NOT use Uniquephones!DO NOT use Uniquephones!DO NOT use Uniquephones!DO NOT use Uniquephones! No code, no refund, and PayPal continues to allow this scam company to take money via PayPal! Use ebay for unlock codes so at least you have the threat of negative feedback if they don’t perform. Uniquphones could not provide my unlock code and a deller on ebay did within 2 days.
Bhavs 10.18.07 at 12:56 pm
WHAT A SCAM!!
I ordered a code for my Motorola l6 and they said it would be with me within 24 hours. Its now been 8 days……still no response. Bl**dy B******s
kerry 10.19.07 at 4:33 am
I left a comment back in May 2007 and I just wanted you all to know that I DID eventually recieve a refund……….but it wasn’t easy. I am lucky that I work in the internet industry and know the rules etc of do’s and don’t. I also found this guys personal email address and mobile number and simply bombarded him. (These are no longer in use though) One threat I did make to him was that i was going to report him to Goolge Adwords for his adword campaigns still being allowed to run. As he and I knew Google would NOT look at this in a good light - I can’t speak for the american market whether the rules etc are the same. Have a good search on the internet for any thing to do with his business and you will find personal information about this guy.
Hope this helps
Gary C 11.05.07 at 9:07 am
I placed an order with Uniquephones over 4 days ago I have yet to receive my unlock codes. I have emailed them but no response, I have called them twice only to be put to voicemail, could not leave message as voicemail box was full. If you are thinking of using this company my advice is DONT. Eight pounds to some might be nothing but I do not have the luxury of giving away money and if I did I would certainly want to have the choice to whom I give it to.
Michel Medina 12.03.07 at 3:43 am
Same trouble here… paid, then NEVER got any reply :-((
Going to ADVERTISE them good on ANY forum I can find…
christa r 12.05.07 at 12:39 pm
I ordered a code for my Motorola l6 and they said it would be with me within 24 hours. Its now been 10 days……still no response.
Don´t place an order with uniquephones.
Luke F. 12.05.07 at 5:43 pm
I Recently Ordered An Unlock Code For My Motorola RAZR v3, And Had Not Received It Yet. Though I Am Not Worried About That, I Am Worried Because I Have Entered My Credit Card Number. Please If Anyone Has Some Information That Would Be Useful To Me Please E-Mail Me At. Valley_Rooster_11@hotmail.com
Hugo 12.06.07 at 9:24 am
Very bad service from uniquephones.
I’ve ordered a unlocking service for a samsung m600, and after 2 days and 3 e-mails I’ve got an answer with 2 codes.
However there are no instructions on how to use these codes.
I’ve contacted them again and I’m still waiting.
I would never trust these guys again.
christa r 12.06.07 at 11:34 am
today I have got my code from uniquephones, works very well, but the service is very bad, after 10 days and the help from google checkout, I got the code, without any instruction.
Maybe hugo you can find a answer below:
Samsung D500
Switch phone on without sim and enter :-
#*7337#
if it does not work then you need a direct unlock in a shop
Samsung A300
*2767*637#
Model: Samsung A400
*2767*637#
Model: Samsung A800
*2767*637#
Model: Samsung E500
*2767*688#
In newer phones:
#*7337#
Model: Samsung E700
*2767*688#
In newer phones:
#*7337#
Model: Samsung E715
Turn off the phone. Put a non-accepted Simcard and turn it on. Type *#9998*3323#. Press Exit. Choose menu #7. After phone reboots type *0141# and hit the Call button. Turn off and insert another Simcard. Turn on. The code is 00000000.
In newer phones:
#*7337#
Model: Samsung M100
Type *#9998*627837793#. Then type *#9998*737#. Press >/[] (Play Stop) until phone shows NCK/SPCK number. Press Exit. Type #0111*CODE# (Code is the last 8 digits of the NCK/SPCK)
Model: Samsung P400
*2767*3855#
In newer phones:
*2767*927#
Model: Samsung S100
*2767*7822573738#
Model: Samsung S105
Remove Simcard. Enter *2767*7822573738# and after phone reboots, enter #0111*00000000#
Model: Samsung S300
*2767*7822573738#
Model: Samsung S307
Turn off the phone. Put a non-accepted Simcard and turn it on. Type *#9998*3323#. Press Exit. Choose menu #7. After phone reboots type *0141# and hit the Call button. Turn off and insert another Simcard. Turn on. The code is 00000000.
In newer phones:
#*7337#
Model: Samsung S500
*2767*3855#
In newer phones:
*2767*927#
Model: Samsung SGH600
*2767*3855#
*2767*2878#
Model: Samsung SGH2100
*2767*3855#
*2767*2878#
Model: Samsung V200
*2767*7822573738#
Model: Samsung X100
Turn off the phone. Put a non-accepted Simcard and turn it on. Type *#9998*3323#. Press Exit. Choose menu #7. After phone reboots type *0141# and hit the Call button. Turn off and insert another Simcard. Turn on. The code is 00000000.
In newer phones:
#*7337#
Model: Samsung X600
Turn off the phone. Put a non-accepted Simcard and turn it on. Type *#9998*3323#. Press Exit. Choose menu #7. After phone reboots type *0141# and hit the Call button. Turn off and insert another Simcard. Turn on. The code is 00000000.
In newer phones:
#*7337#
Model: Samsung Universal
TEMPORARY UNLOCK:
Put a non-accepted Simcard and turn it on. Type *#9998*3323#. Press Exit. You will get a new menu. Select Malloc Fail.
In newer phones:
#*7337#
Travis 12.31.07 at 6:16 pm
No code for a Moto V551. Webpage says 2Mo to process? No0 answer to emails, voive mail is full, online chat doesn’t work.
Nice looking webpage though.
paul 01.01.08 at 2:41 pm
hi i went on uniqephones on the 28 dec 07 (4 days) and still not got my code how long do there take
Steve 01.21.08 at 3:38 pm
I payed for a motorola unlock code on Jan 10. Checked my order status on their website for 4 or 5 days and gave up. I decided to check one more time, today, and my code was there and it worked.
Kendra 02.07.08 at 4:35 pm
Just thought that everyone should know that I got scammed as well. Sent my money off and haven’t gotten anything over 2 weeks later. I filed several help tickets on the website and no response. I’ve even filed a claim with paypal that this guy hasn’t responded to! I will be escalating this very soon.
I wanted to recommend that you all file claims with the Better Business Bureau in New York. If they receive enough claims they will eventually put this guy out of business. I have registered a complaint with them, so they’ve already got the business on file.
You can find all the contact information for the company either on the website’s “About Us” page or at the address:
You will also find the name and the email address of the owner! Go to work guys!
Kal 02.08.08 at 12:19 pm
I payed for a motorola unlock code about 8 days ago and have got nothing back. Tried their live support and and sent emails with no response. i got scammed as well.
John 02.18.08 at 10:56 am
These guys suck donkey’s big time. We sent them 2 imei codes for unlocking our uk blackberry devices and they have not responded after 10 days - looks like we too will be canvasing paypal for refunds. twats! is all I can say.
Joe 03.10.08 at 1:15 pm
**UNIQUEPHONES**
Nice looking website, big scam. When I find the guy running this company………you’ll read about it.
Fi 03.12.08 at 2:57 pm
i too have had nothing from uniquephones but silence and a since inoperable phone - had to resort to a communique with paypal to get refunded. lousy service!
Henry 03.18.08 at 4:41 pm
Maybe I’m the exception, but I’ve unlocked two Blackberrys with them and it was fine. No problems outside of the wait time, but it is that way with all Blackberry codes.
Viewer 03.25.08 at 8:55 pm
Paid for unlocking code, did get the code through email after 2 days, but the code doesn’t work; emailed back many times to ask for support or refund, no response what so ever.
Further searching shows a lot people have the similar bad experience with this website. Stay away from it!
Mikey 03.27.08 at 10:32 pm
Same story here about these shysters. Fortunately I used PayPal instead of a credit card, so I am hopeful my claim with PayPal will come through and I will get my money back.
Peter Lee 04.11.08 at 6:40 am
My experience is in line with most of the above. Blackberry 8820 and nothing. Filed dispute with PayPal today. They certainly go out of their way to keep out of sight. They show a number of publications on http://www.uniquephones.com/About-Us.html and even more on the testimonials page. Most of these are “no trace” but TimesonLine refers to Uniquephones of Belfast, so at least they’re accessible to Trading Standards. Forbes Magazine refers to “David Harrison, a 23-year-old hacker in Belfast, Northern Ireland” I also came across:-
Unique Group UK Ltd
Cathedral House, 22 - 31 Waring Street
Belfast, CO
US
Phone: 4420 8816 7303 Doesn’t work!
Mail [at] UniquePhones.com
And also
IP Address: 72.47.209.88
Hostname: uniquephones.com
Country: United States
IP address owner: Media Temple, Inc.
Building A
Culver City
CA 90232
US
PayPal have their address as “Verified nonUS” The WebSite is definitely US.
Hope this is of interest.
c samuel 05.08.08 at 5:35 pm
Had the same problem. Paid Apr 27 to unlock a blackberry 8820, got an initial email stating unlock code will come in 12 hours, then 7 days on the order status page. It’s been almost 12 days now, and nothing. In between all these, I have sent four different emails to their support team without any feedback whatsoever.
I have initiated a claim with paypal. STAY WELL AWAY FROM UNIQUEPHONES !!!!!
c samuel 05.22.08 at 5:26 am
Just to let everyone know I got my money back through paypal. Till date, Uniquephones never got back to me. They also never responded during the paypal resolution process, so paypal awarded my claim.
Perhaps Uniquephones used to work, but they absolutely do not work anymore. A search on company house also suggests that the company is perhaps no longer in business. Whatever be the case, STAY AWAY FROM UNIQUEPHONES!!! You have been warned.
Russell Whiting 06.12.08 at 5:02 am
This company stinks and should be shut down…I ordered, and paid for an unlock code in Dec 2007…still no code, you can’t get them…only number I have found is 02890996439.
John McLaughlin is the owner of uniquephones, this man needs to be put away…
c samuel 06.12.08 at 5:34 pm
More updates - Uniquephones got back to me earlier this week stating that the IMEI I supplied was wrong, almost 8 weeks after I ordered,4 weeks after I disputed the payment and got my money back from paypal, and 3 weeks after I ordered elsewhere. Of course, the IMEI I supplied was correct! Funny enough, 24 hrs later, I got my unlock code from the other company. STAY WELL AWAY FROM UNIQUEPHONES! You’ve been warned!
Daniel Fontanella 06.18.08 at 11:56 am
Hi Guys,
I’m having exactelly the same problems. I bought an unlocking code for my blackberry 8820 from http://www.uniquephones.com, paid US$ 49,99 and 4 weeks later I have had no response at all. Even though I was meant to receive my code in 12hours.
I sent several emails (I mean dozens) and they just ignored me. It’s funny that when you go through the website you’ll never think that is a scam. I will try to get my money back with Paypal. Does anyone know how to process this request? But anyway, my phone is still locked and obviously I can’t use it.
Stay away from uniquephones. That’s my advise.
Thanks to Rimarkable
John 07.20.08 at 12:04 pm
Unfortunately I have the same ‘results’ to report as most of the others here… Motorola RAZR V3… no code, no response to emails nor to trouble tickets, which state ‘no order found’. But I sure did get a confirmation of payment from Paypal right away! Will dispute with Paypal and if that fails, I will go over their heads and take it directly to the credit card company. Another one to avoid is InstantUnlockCodes.com /.co.uk. They claim on their front page to be able to unlock Motorolas and have prices to do so, but then after payment they say Motorolas are not on their list of compatible devices. No refund policy; they offer credit towards another unlocking (if the first one was a scam what the hell good is another?) and besides I do not have another phone I need to unlock. Alternatively they offer a prepaid UK phone card but that is useless to me as I am not in the UK nor am I planning to go there. What kind of company does not have a refund policy if they cannot provide the service for which a customer has paid? A scammer, that’s what! As a result I do not trust any UK-based unlock company now; seems they all are scammers. If that is not so, that is unfortunate… these shysters should be put out of business and straight into prison because they are by default damaging the reputation of all such companies. Anyone know of a good *US* based concern?
Edwin 07.25.08 at 2:14 pm
Same results here. I received a not working code. It is valid on this phone but it does not remove the lock.
I have send emails open a support case, now a dispute on Paypal.
Can anyone tell me what will happen if he doesn’t respond to Paypal’s dispute?
JJ 08.22.08 at 4:57 pm
I have been tricked into paying $7.99 to unlock a SonyEricsson phone from Fido only to be told after a couple of hours that they don’t do SonyEricsson or Fido and that I should have checked their list of phones first.
(a)Nowhere was a visible note to check the list,
(b)It should not have taken a couple of hours for them to check (the list appears to be very short), and
(c)There is nowhere to call to ask for refund and the electronic message response seems to imply there is no way to recover.
At best, the “service” is deceptive and at worst bothering with fraud. Some agency should look into the amount of money they are collecting from people and holding onto after failure to provide service. DISGUSTING site.
Paul M 08.28.08 at 1:29 pm
I placed an order with Unique Phones. It was like putting my money into a black hole. I never received an order confirmation (except Paypal receipt), their system showed my order as being placed just after I placed it, then the order disappeared from their tracking system. I have written to them about 5 times both via e-mail and in their own support tracking system and have not had any type of response from them in 3+ days. It’s not the $ so much as this has been a big time suck and now I am up against the wall in getting another code to unlock my phone before leaving for Europe.
Daniel Fontanella 08.28.08 at 4:41 pm
Hi Paul M,
I’ve managed to get my money back through PayPal.
It took me a while (2months) but they refunded the complete transaction.
But do not waste your time writing to them. They will never reply!
Stay away from this guys!!!!
Dan
Taylor 09.03.08 at 6:05 pm
I’ve used Uniquephones twice and both times they took extremely long (3 weeks first time and over 4 weeks the second time) to process my order. The most upsetting thing about them is their customer service: Email support only, no phone no online chat no nothing but submmitting a message to them on their website. This is very frustrating when your “Estimated processing time” is 7 days and 3 weeks later you have not received a code or a reply from them. I will NOT be using their services anymore.
Rachael 09.23.08 at 9:11 am
I would never recommend Uniquephones or deal with them ever again!!!!!
Placed my order to unlock my phone on the 31.08.08 and still waiting for the unlocking code AND replies to many emails that I have sent to them chasing it up
I wish I had seen the above comments before dealing with them, and then I just wouldnt have bothered
I decided to go into two phone shops this weekend and they both said that it is impossible to unlock a nokia 6110 navigator phone……. wondering why it came up on Uniquephones phone list as one to unlock ? Scammers ??? Am now trying to get my money back, paid by paypal but when I last spoke they said to try and deal with supplier direct . I shall try pay pal again and see if I get any joy!!!
Peter Lee 09.24.08 at 5:56 am
Rachael,
Why are you ‘talking’ to PayPal? This is usually a waste of time,just put a claim in.
It is always worth exploring the possibility of unlocking by the network (depending on cost of course)
My Blackberry was unlocked by Orange (any phone) for £20 which is less than the asking price of many unlockers.
b.stocker 10.03.08 at 1:38 pm
I wish i,d read these comments before i parted with my money.I.m another one thats been tricked.Unique phones are doing this to too many people!