Microsoft's new flagship Windows Phone 8.1 device, the Nokia Lumia 930, went on sale in the UK last week, and many were delighted by the promise of a free wireless bundle worth £130 - including a portable wireless charging pad, portable wireless speaker, and a £20 app voucher for the Windows Phone Store.
But not everyone is happy, as some buyers have been left confused by how to claim their freebies, while some say they have been told that they will not receive one at all due to depleted stocks.
At the handset's UK launch earlier this month, Microsoft did not explicitly make it clear to us and the other publications present that the offer would be limited only while stocks last. Indeed, if you look at coverage from other news sources - including Engadget, Pocket-lint, Digital Spy, Recombu, PC Advisor and others - it seems that everyone was left with the same impression that we were: that the offer would run, without stock limitations, from July 17 to July 31.
That's not because we all came to the wrong conclusion, either. Microsoft's own press release for the UK launch states (emphasis ours):
Microsoft will run an exciting promotional offer - from the 17th until the 31st July all Lumia 930’s purchased from participating retailers will include a free additional wireless charger, the outstanding MD-12 speaker plus a voucher for £20 of free apps from the Windows store. Altogether, this promotional offer is worth around £130 RRP.
However, there are some limitations on the number of free wireless bundles that are available to those buying the Lumia 930 in the UK. The devil is, as always, in the detail - and the detail is to be found in the full terms and conditions of the promotion. The key caveat in the T&Cs is that "the offer is subject to availability".
To help those who aren't sure how to claim their free bundle, and to clarify details of stock limitations, here's what we know:
Carphone Warehouse / O2
Those purchasing the device via Carphone Warehouse or on the O2 network will need to visit nokia.ly/930-offer-uk to get their wireless bundle pack.
Phones 4u
Those purchasing from Phones 4u will need to visit nokia.ly/930-offer-uk to claim their bundle. Note: in addition to exclusively offering the white version of the Lumia 930, Phones 4u is also exclusively giving away a Nokia Treasure Tag accessory with the wireless bundle, bringing its total value up to £150.
EE
Customers who buy the 930 on EE will need to speak directly with the carrier to get their wireless bundle. There are no details available regarding limited stocks; however, tech journalist Simon Bisson noted that his local EE store, in a busy and affluent part of southwest London, only had a total allocation of four units.
Vodafone
Stocks of the free wireless bundle will be limited to 1,000 units. Nokia will only honour the first 1,000 claims made on purchases through Vodafone sales channels. Vodafone customers must visit nokia.ly/930-offer-uk to claim their bundle.
Tesco Mobile
Stocks of the bundle are limited to 260 units. Nokia will only honour the first 260 claims on purchases via Tesco Mobile sales channels. Tesco customers should contact the company directly to claim their bundle.
Other "participating retailers"
These include: A1/Go Mobile, Amazon.co.uk, Chitter Chatter, Chrome, Clove, Expansys, Fonehouse, Manx, Mobile Phones Direct, OASIS, Sure and ULM. Stocks through these participating retailers are limited to 800 units. According to the terms and conditions, "Kit will be dispatched on a first come, first serve basis up to 800 claims." Customers purchasing via these retailers must visit nokia.ly/930-offer-uk to claim their bundles. Some retailers, such as Clove, have done a good job of regularly communicating to their customers that stocks are limited.
Sadly, this will mean that some customers - hoping to receive the free wireless bundle by purchasing the Nokia Lumia 930 before July 31 - may not be able to get the freebies as expected, depending on where they buy the handset from.
If you've already purchased a Lumia 930, don't delay any further in claiming your wireless bundle before stocks run out. But remember, if you do miss out on the bundle, you'll still get a desktop wireless charger included in the box with your handset.
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