'3' Changes to billing

icey_haj · 18 Aug 2008 at 12:00

Im on 3 and recieved a letter the other day saying that they're going to start rounding up calls and charge them as a minute. So if I was to make a 5 second call I would be billed for a minute. However they charge by the second after the first minute has passed.

Now normally this wouldnt bother me, but im trying to get off 3 because of their rubbish reception, and I saw this as an excuse to cancel my 18 month contract.

Rang them up, but to no avail. They just wouldnt accept it, they said I would have to pay a termination fee - fat chance am I going to do that.

So the question is, am I within my rights to cancel the contract without incurring any fees etc?

jrodga2k5 · 18 Aug 2008 at 12:40

my mate would be interested in this as it could be a way out of his deal, would like to see some views on this.

Balb0wa · 18 Aug 2008 at 13:10

big thread on mse about this, keep trying

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=13446019#post13446019

Liquidfox · 18 Aug 2008 at 13:11

You would have to look at your original contract regarding termination...

Chances are it will include a line telling you they can change prices with 30 days notice, and there's nothing you can do about it...

Balb0wa · 18 Aug 2008 at 13:14

this is the line you use, detrimental to you, ie you will be worse off etc, its a pretty big change

Section 4.1.b.ii
……If you are a Pay Monthly Customer, we will let you know at least one month in advance if we decide to:……make any variations to your agreement which are likely to be of detriment to you…..You can end the agreement for such variations as explained in Section 10.

Section 10.1.d

You may end this agreement in the following ways: …..Within one month of a detrimental variation to your agreement. You can end the agreement within one month of us telling you about a variation to your agreement (which includes your Price Plan) which is likely to be of detriment to you. You must give written notice to 3 Customer Services within that month and your agreement will finish at the end of that month once we receive your notice. (A Cancellation Fee will not be charged.)

icey_haj · 18 Aug 2008 at 13:49

Yeh cheers bobby, I quoted section 10 in the letter I just sent them. No point phoning them, they just fob you off even if you talk to the manager.

DB_SamX · 18 Aug 2008 at 13:55

I haven't received any info on this myself. However, as I'm currently paying only £10/month for P&M500 (usually £20) and don't usually go over it, I very much doubt I'm going to find anything better.

icey_haj · 18 Aug 2008 at 14:09

^ Yeh I agree, I got a great deal aswell. But, the only problem with 3 is the reception - quite frankly its rubbish in most places. Thats why I want to get out of the contract.

Cob · 18 Aug 2008 at 14:17

Are 3 still piggy-backing on Oranges connection?

squawkBOX · 18 Aug 2008 at 14:41

3 have their own sites for 3G/HSDPA, however when you go outside a 3G area then you roam onto Orange.

Balb0wa · 18 Aug 2008 at 15:36

Well 3 exec office have just called me, i complained to them via email about the upto the minute charges.

The guy was great, no hassles, he even mentioned £15 to unlcok my N95 mobile, i asked him if he could do it now and add it to my bill, he said that was fine, there ringing me back within the day with the unlock code.

He didnt try to get me to stay , brilliant chap.

Im currently on my 6th month of a 12 month contract, £25 a month for 300 mins and 650 texts, 25mms plus a n95

fan_83 · 18 Aug 2008 at 16:22

you could always cancell and then go back to get a new and free phone :-)

Balb0wa · 18 Aug 2008 at 16:23

fan_83 said:
you could always cancell and then go back to get a new and free phone

True, think il go on the 02 simplicity tarrif, £20 for 800 anytime and 1000 texts, plus a bit of quidco, 1 month rolling contract, no phone

Masterdog · 18 Aug 2008 at 18:03

When did you get the letter? Also what contract are you on? I'm in the same boat and would like to give this a try, but haven't seen a letter.

Vixen · 18 Aug 2008 at 22:57

Who did you email to get out of your contract? I want out of mine, because I make a lot of short calls and my phone is totally useless anyway.

Caged · 18 Aug 2008 at 23:42

bobbyboy uk said:
True, think il go on the 02 simplicity tarrif, £20 for 800 anytime and 1000 texts, plus a bit of quidco, 1 month rolling contract, no phone

Get the web bolt-on instead, should be great with the N95

Balb0wa · 19 Aug 2008 at 07:16

Caged said:
Get the web bolt-on instead, should be great with the N95

no chance, prefer mins, dont use phones for net, pointless with a tiny screen, my 2p worth, hehe

MeatLoaf · 19 Aug 2008 at 09:58

bobbyboy uk said:
True, think il go on the 02 simplicity tarrif, £20 for 800 anytime and 1000 texts, plus a bit of quidco, 1 month rolling contract, no phone

Or go on PAYG and pay £15 a month as i do for unlimited calls and texts

Also im not sure that 3 branded phones work on other networks properly do they, even after being unlocked?

Imy · 19 Aug 2008 at 11:19

MeatLoaf said:
Or go on PAYG and pay £15 a month as i do for unlimited calls and texts

Isn't that unlimited O2 to O2 calls?

http://freesim.o2.co.uk/messages.php?f=vpMmtBcFY&p=&cm_re=ConsumerArea-_-rightbox-_-Unlimited

A2Z · 19 Aug 2008 at 11:40

Im with 3 and my contract expires in November...I was thinking of trying to cancel early, but I really can't see any other provider who would be able to match my current deal? 12 months, £35/m, 750mins, 350txt, 50mms, 2000 landline mins, and a free top end phone... and apart from the Omnia, there arent really any good phones out..