Cell City in New York

Cell City Inc is a supplier of telephone and communication equipment based at 462 7th Avenue, 10019 New York.

Cell City is located at 7th Avenue, also known as Fashion Avenue, which is one of the busiests shopping areas of New York. The shop Cell City is not self-contained but part of a store selling musical equipment. On the front of the store a notice states that unlocked cell phones are for sale.

In July 2008 I was on a holiday in New York with my family. Since my daughter was interested in taking a cell phone home as souvenir, we decided to buy a phone from Cell City in New York. Read how we were treated.

My daughter (15 years) and I entered the shop Cell City in New York on Wednesday July 9th around lunchtime. I explained the sales person that my daughter needed a tri-band phone which should have no SIM-lock because of usage in Europe. The sales person then recommended a T-mobile Sidekick LX which has quad-band. The sales person guaranteed to me that the phone was unlocked. The phone was priced at $ 459 which I paid in cash.

Upon return in the hotel we tried the phone by slotting in a SIM-card. Despite of the guarantee by the sales person the phone turned out to be locked so we immediately returned to the shop. The sales person acknowledged that the phone was locked. I asked for a refund which was rejected. I asked to see the owner of the shop Cell City in New York. He told me not to worry because he would request an unlocking-code from T-mobile and send it me by email within 2 hours. Re-assured by this promise I returned to the hotel.

Two hours later no email with unlocked code so I phoned Cell City. "Don't worry, you will get the unlocking-code in the next hours. It won't take more than 24 hours.".

After 48 hours and 3 calls to the shop I still didn't receive the unlocking-code so I decided to return to the shop on the 11th. I complained to the owner of Cell City in New York that his outfit sold me a phone claiming that it was unlocked which turned out to be untrue. I asked for a refund because I was about to fly back to Europe with a phone costing $ 459 which is useless. My visit to Cell City in New York ended with the 'promise' by the owner that he would send the unlocking-code by email. A promise which hasn't materialized.

After my return to Europe I have phoned Cell City in New York a couple of times. Instead of offering a solution they rudely banged my calls. Appearantly Cell City in New York feels they can treat their overseas customers like shit because of the distance.

This review is based on actual events and comes from a very disappointed customer of Cell City New York.