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Will 3 unlock my phone for me


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Old 08-09-2009, 23:37
rottweiler
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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...
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Old 08-09-2009, 23:52
bprecey
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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!
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Old 09-09-2009, 15:48
Katia Polletin
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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.
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Old 09-09-2009, 16:44
rottweiler
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I was under the impression that once the contract had expired that they would give me the Unlock code for free ???
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Old 09-09-2009, 19:44
maxsie
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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?
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Old 10-09-2009, 13:29
cpikey316_
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Vodafone do not charge!! I will not be going with 3!
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Old 10-09-2009, 13:42
TheBigM
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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?
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Old 10-09-2009, 13:57
clonmult
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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.
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Old 10-09-2009, 14:11
richard1960
 
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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!
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Old 11-09-2009, 08:26
clonmult
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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".
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Old 11-09-2009, 08:40
cpikey316_
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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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