Will 3 unlock my phone for me

rottweiler · 08-09-2009, 23:37

Im about to end my 18 month contract with 3 and want to know if i am entitled to have my handset unlocked to use on another network...

bprecey · 08-09-2009, 23:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by rottweiler

Im about to end my 18 month contract with 3 and want to know if i am entitled to have my handset unlocked to use on another network...

They will do it but not before telling you that you have to pay. That's right they will charge you for the privalage.

When (if) you tell them your leaving be prepared for a very difficult and long call! I asked for a pac code and it took nearly half hour while they were telling me what good deals they have and why i should stay despite me telling them I needed the pac code for a contract I had already started!

Good Luck!

Katia Polletin · 09-09-2009, 15:48

When I called 3 for my PAC it was given virtually straight away.

3 like any other mobile telco will unlock the phone for you, but for a fee, might be cheaper getting a small shop or market trader to unlock it for you.

rottweiler · 09-09-2009, 16:44

I was under the impression that once the contract had expired that they would give me the Unlock code for free ???

maxsie · 09-09-2009, 19:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by rottweiler

I was under the impression that once the contract had expired that they would give me the Unlock code for free ???

nope you do need to pay, and not being arsey, why dispute what you are told?

cpikey316_ · 10-09-2009, 13:29

Vodafone do not charge!! I will not be going with 3!

TheBigM · 10-09-2009, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpikey316_

Vodafone do not charge!! I will not be going with 3!

So you're going to choose your network based on how easy it will be to leave them?

clonmult · 10-09-2009, 13:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigM

So you're going to choose your network based on how easy it will be to leave them?

Some people, eh?

Voda will generally charge more for everything else.

The main failing point for 3 is their (lack of) customer service.

I had issues with a USB dongle, which they completely failed to rectify - sent back 3 times, was never repaired.

At the same time, a colleague was wanting 3 to unlock his N95, so that when on holiday out in nigeria, he could use a local SIM card, rather than roam at stupendous rates. He called them several times, and was quoted something stupid like £150 - basically buying himself out of his contract. Stated several times that "I don't want to leave 3, I just want the phone unlocked so that I can use a local SIM whilst on holiday". They just didn't get it.

10-09-2009, 14:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by clonmult

Some people, eh?

Voda will generally charge more for everything else.

The main failing point for 3 is their (lack of) customer service.

I had issues with a USB dongle, which they completely failed to rectify - sent back 3 times, was never repaired.

At the same time, a colleague was wanting 3 to unlock his N95, so that when on holiday out in nigeria, he could use a local SIM card, rather than roam at stupendous rates. He called them several times, and was quoted something stupid like £150 - basically buying himself out of his contract. Stated several times that "I don't want to leave 3, I just want the phone unlocked so that I can use a local SIM whilst on holiday". They just didn't get it.

I partially agree with you on the 3 customer service thing,indian call centres do not cut the mustard i am afraid some of the time.

On your other point about your freind not wanting to end his contract but have his phone unlocked whilst still apparently in contract to make cheap calls in nigeria,as far as i am aware NO mobile phone company will unlock your phone in contract,if they did everyone would want to do it and make cheap calls!

clonmult · 11-09-2009, 08:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard1960

I partially agree with you on the 3 customer service thing,indian call centres do not cut the mustard i am afraid some of the time.

On your other point about your freind not wanting to end his contract but have his phone unlocked whilst still apparently in contract to make cheap calls in nigeria,as far as i am aware NO mobile phone company will unlock your phone in contract,if they did everyone would want to do it and make cheap calls!

I'm in an irritating position - I work for a large Indian IT outsourcing company, and have to regularly deal with some of these call center types internally .... and its been quite entertaining to have some of my Indian colleagues knock companies for this customer service.

I was under the impression that a lot of companies would unlock a mobile for you within contract, but charge a nominal fee - its when your at the end of contract that it tends to be "free".

cpikey316_ · 11-09-2009, 08:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigM

So you're going to choose your network based on how easy it will be to leave them?

Yep, loyalty is wasted IMO. You're far better off cancelling and starting a new contract everytime.

This is my experience with Vodafone, although Orange were the same.

I have to send Vodafone a LETTER every year! So they are hardly easy to leave.

08-09-2009, 23:37	#1
rottweiler Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: England Posts: 2,523	Will 3 unlock my phone for me Im about to end my 18 month contract with 3 and want to know if i am entitled to have my handset unlocked to use on another network...

08-09-2009, 23:52	#2
bprecey Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Basingstoke, UK Posts: 479	Quote: Originally Posted by rottweiler Im about to end my 18 month contract with 3 and want to know if i am entitled to have my handset unlocked to use on another network... They will do it but not before telling you that you have to pay. That's right they will charge you for the privalage. When (if) you tell them your leaving be prepared for a very difficult and long call! I asked for a pac code and it took nearly half hour while they were telling me what good deals they have and why i should stay despite me telling them I needed the pac code for a contract I had already started! Good Luck!

09-09-2009, 15:48	#3
Katia Polletin Inactive Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: The Little Village Posts: 3,984	When I called 3 for my PAC it was given virtually straight away. 3 like any other mobile telco will unlock the phone for you, but for a fee, might be cheaper getting a small shop or market trader to unlock it for you.

09-09-2009, 16:44	#4
rottweiler Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: England Posts: 2,523	I was under the impression that once the contract had expired that they would give me the Unlock code for free ???

09-09-2009, 19:44	#5
maxsie Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 107	Quote: Originally Posted by rottweiler I was under the impression that once the contract had expired that they would give me the Unlock code for free ??? nope you do need to pay, and not being arsey, why dispute what you are told?

10-09-2009, 13:29	#6
cpikey316_ Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 771	Vodafone do not charge!! I will not be going with 3!

10-09-2009, 13:42	#7
TheBigM Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: moon Posts: 12,983	Quote: Originally Posted by cpikey316_ Vodafone do not charge!! I will not be going with 3! So you're going to choose your network based on how easy it will be to leave them?

10-09-2009, 13:57	#8
clonmult Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: UK Posts: 3,291	Quote: Originally Posted by TheBigM So you're going to choose your network based on how easy it will be to leave them? Some people, eh? Voda will generally charge more for everything else. The main failing point for 3 is their (lack of) customer service. I had issues with a USB dongle, which they completely failed to rectify - sent back 3 times, was never repaired. At the same time, a colleague was wanting 3 to unlock his N95, so that when on holiday out in nigeria, he could use a local SIM card, rather than roam at stupendous rates. He called them several times, and was quoted something stupid like £150 - basically buying himself out of his contract. Stated several times that "I don't want to leave 3, I just want the phone unlocked so that I can use a local SIM whilst on holiday". They just didn't get it.

10-09-2009, 14:11	#9
richard1960 Posts: n/a	Quote: Originally Posted by clonmult Some people, eh? Voda will generally charge more for everything else. The main failing point for 3 is their (lack of) customer service. I had issues with a USB dongle, which they completely failed to rectify - sent back 3 times, was never repaired. At the same time, a colleague was wanting 3 to unlock his N95, so that when on holiday out in nigeria, he could use a local SIM card, rather than roam at stupendous rates. He called them several times, and was quoted something stupid like £150 - basically buying himself out of his contract. Stated several times that "I don't want to leave 3, I just want the phone unlocked so that I can use a local SIM whilst on holiday". They just didn't get it. I partially agree with you on the 3 customer service thing,indian call centres do not cut the mustard i am afraid some of the time. On your other point about your freind not wanting to end his contract but have his phone unlocked whilst still apparently in contract to make cheap calls in nigeria,as far as i am aware NO mobile phone company will unlock your phone in contract,if they did everyone would want to do it and make cheap calls!

11-09-2009, 08:26	#10
clonmult Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: UK Posts: 3,291	Quote: Originally Posted by richard1960 I partially agree with you on the 3 customer service thing,indian call centres do not cut the mustard i am afraid some of the time. On your other point about your freind not wanting to end his contract but have his phone unlocked whilst still apparently in contract to make cheap calls in nigeria,as far as i am aware NO mobile phone company will unlock your phone in contract,if they did everyone would want to do it and make cheap calls! I'm in an irritating position - I work for a large Indian IT outsourcing company, and have to regularly deal with some of these call center types internally .... and its been quite entertaining to have some of my Indian colleagues knock companies for this customer service. I was under the impression that a lot of companies would unlock a mobile for you within contract, but charge a nominal fee - its when your at the end of contract that it tends to be "free".

11-09-2009, 08:40	#11
cpikey316_ Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 771	Quote: Originally Posted by TheBigM So you're going to choose your network based on how easy it will be to leave them? Yep, loyalty is wasted IMO. You're far better off cancelling and starting a new contract everytime. This is my experience with Vodafone, although Orange were the same. I have to send Vodafone a LETTER every year! So they are hardly easy to leave.

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Will 3 unlock my phone for me