Team Partners Telecommunications

Were you a victim of COVID telecoms opportunists?

Posted on Jul 26, 2025  | Tags: phone systems

If ever there was something in our recent past that we wish hadn’t been, it’s the Pandemic. Perhaps that should be THE Pandemic, because we’ve had a few in the UK, Foot and Mouth twice, the flu epidemic of ‘89-’90, and then THE pandemic. We suspect that, rather like those of us who can remember where they were when Princess Diana died, or the Twin Towers got hit, each of us has an indelible impression or memory of the Covid lockdowns, and those who ran a business through these times will carry their memories of this too. They were deeply trying times, on a number of levels.

Of course, there were those, always looking for an opportunity to make money, usually at the expense of others, who did rather well out of the hardships that developed. We’re sure ‘protective clothing’ will immediately come to mind, but there were other opportunists too, and, surprise surprise, these included some telephone system retailers. VoIP, (Voice over Internet Protocol) was becoming the next best thing, so a lot of businesses invested what turned out to be, too much money buying systems that ended up not doing exactly what they needed them to do.  And it’s a trend that continues. As recently as this month, July ’25, the BBC has reported as follows,

“Thousands of small businesses across the UK are being charged "grossly inflated" prices to rent phone equipment on lengthy finance deals because of "unethical" sales practices used by various companies, experts have told a BBC investigation. Some business owners say the costly contracts are leaving them on the brink of collapse.”

This particular business will end up paying over £54k, excluding VAT, over 10 years for five HiHi phones having signed a seven-year financing ‘deal’ in 2017.

So, why not complain? Many companies have, but there’s a problem, which is that whilst the equipment itself may be inadequate, the outrageous costs are as a result of the financing of the equipment, which is not Communications Ombudsman’s territory, nor, as it turns out, is it something the Financial Conduct Authority can easily arbitrate on, as these business-to-business deals fall outside their direct supervision.

Where does one turn? Try the Financial and Leasing Association, the industry body representing the asset finance sector who proudly report that they, “seek to put the customer first” and then add "It is important that clients also recognise their responsibility to scrutinise the terms of contracts with suppliers to ensure that the agreements will meet their needs."

Hmm.

Here’s our word to the wise. If you were amongst those that purchased a new phone system due to COVID and the need to work from home, now would be the perfect time to review your requirements. Give us a ring!