All the networks have introduced inflation based proce rises in the last few months but the ASA have singled out 3's advertising for critisisim.

"Three has been told to warn customers of potential future contract price rises in advertising, after a recent campaign was found 'misleading' by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

Mid-contract price rises have become an emotive issue among consumers and Ofcom has launched a consultation into the issue after complaints from the public. One consumer made a complaint to the ASA about a leaflet from Three outlining a number of contract offers, including its £30 per month One Plan. The complainant said the ad was misleading because it did not make clear the operator could raise the monthly cost during the life of the tariff."

http://www.mobiletoday.co.uk/News/23...ice_rises.aspx

This is likely to be an issue for all operators who increase prices, like O2 have recently.

Considering existing customers that joined Three before a certain date (I cant remember when but I joined in May and I didnt get a price rise) were excluded from the price rises while some networks ie Orange applied to everyone I think this is a bit harsh to single Three out here.

IIRC the T-mobile changed the their price rises so they didn't apply to existing customers either after a customer backlash.

Don't most utility companies do this sort of thing in one form or another? It'd a bit naughty, but it's probably written in the small print that nobody reads.

Fortunately, I can negate a price rise somewhat by altering my plan accordingly.

O2 can do no wrong. They have business customers like BSkyB and the 900MHz spectrum to give them better rural 3G coverage than anyone else - and don't forget the highest customer satisfaction.

Do not feed after midnight and do not get them wet..... oh wait thats gremlins..

Why all the hate for Three.. Do Ofcom not like Odd numbers?

Well yes, but ever since I saw the mobile today link posted somewhere else on here I knew it was only a matter of time before it had it's own thread...


Agreed. Funny you should mention that, as isn't there another operator (besides Orange) applying it's price rise to ALL existing customers? *cough*

Haha love it, if someone had posted somethin negative about o2 wave cock would be going mental

The issue is being dealt with now by Ofcom as they have had lots of complaints about mid-contract price increases by all the operators.

3's complaint seems to relate to the advertising of a fixed term contract at a stated monthly price (i.e. £30 a month for 24 months). Whilst terms and conditions allow them to increase the price to take account of inflation the advertisement has been judged as misleading because it stated 24 payments at a set rate. I have no doubt they and others will simply add a small symbol next to the price and include some small print regarding the T+Cs if they and the rest are allowed to continue the practice of mid-contract price amendment for existing customers.

Have the others not been doing the same though?

Not as far as the ASA is concerned.

The issue seems to be about a 'leaflet' advertising the One Plan at a set price for a set period after a complaint.

3 have been told to stop this type of adveritising and have accepted the decision of the ASA.

No other network has been warned or stopped from advertising their deals so far..

They only had a single complaint, so it's probably just the fact that nobody made a complaint to the ASA about the other networks doing the same thing before.

I noticed the other day that O2 were in trouble with the ASA I wasn't going to bother posting it as only 6 people complained and I didn't really think it was noteworthy. Seeing as you've brought up the topic of networks and complaints to the ASA here's the information.

http://www.phonesreview.co.uk/2012/1...er-complaints/

As you would say but with o2 instead of 3..."ah here we go, the resident 3 basher blah blah blah bah....."

Pot kettle me thinks here..pathetic..

Haha! This will of course have a spin put on it or ignored from him

There is nothing wrong with the ruling as it will result in more clarity in advertising for all the networks and they might even think twice about raising prices mid-term if it has the effect of making customer acquisition more difficult.

It only takes one complaint for the ASA to judge a case and in this instance they have proved they take even a single customer seriously. That should make folks more confident when contacting them if they have a strong case they feel should be investigated.

Nothing wrong with the 3 ruling or the O2 one?

Both are valid although price rises within contract periods are probably more pressing an issue than phone deliveries being slightly later than expected. One affects all customers on contacts and the other only affects a small number ordering new devices, however if the promise is that something should be there at a set time then customers have a right to challenge advertising that has generated an order and been a disappointment.

The ASA seems to be 'on the ball' right now and their efforts should be good news for all consumers.