anyone about to go on a new monthly phone contract READ THIS

olive0000 · 26-03-2008, 22:24

my advice:

DO NOT GO WITH (3) THREE NETWORK.

seriously, i have had nothing but trouble from three in the coming up to 18 months ive been with them. and i have been a perfect customer, never gotton behind on payments, always pay on time, etc etc.

but they are by far in my experience the worst network to be on with the worst 'customer services' helplines. ive been with vodaphone, O2, Orange in the past and they were fine. 3 is a whole other story.

it took me over 30 mins on the phone to three mobile network to get them to process my request for a cancellation of my contract when it comes to an end next month. because they dont listen to you, it is like talking to a brick wall who ever you talk to. they all yap on about offers and been a valued customer even when you are repeating for the 12th time, nothing will make you renew with them.

it took complaining to a manager before the request was processed.

ive made so many complaints and talked to managers so many times when ive had problems with them. they are all useless and dont LISTEN, and they are all pushy as hell. and the VAT they charge is CRAZY.

ive also had friends who've had huge problems with them.

seriously worst network ever.

Legin · 26-03-2008, 22:59

Why do you keep changing networks?

You can get a good deal with any supplier if you are smart and know what is possible if you haggle.

OLDSOAK · 26-03-2008, 23:03

Go PAYG and be smarter still

PinkGlitter · 26-03-2008, 23:03

Ive been with 3 for about 18 months and never had any problems with them. A few of my friends are also with 3 and they think it's fine.

Legin · 26-03-2008, 23:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluetracker

Go PAYG and be smarter still

If you actually use your phone a lot and don't have one "just in case" a contract is always cheaper.

Collette · 26-03-2008, 23:08

My husband and I are both with 3 - I've had no problems at all but he's had a couple. All got resolved eventually but it took some doing, and he now gets a serious discount on his bill for his trouble.

I've heard a few horror stories about them but no more than I've heard about other phone companies.

OLDSOAK · 26-03-2008, 23:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by PinkGlitter

Ive been with 3 for about 18 months and never had any problems with them. A few of my friends are also with 3 and they think it's fine.

Good for you and them...no really I'm glad there are some that don't have problems with 3G (Hutchison telecom)...Personally I have just finished dragging their sorry asses through the regulatory system (OFTEL).
They really ARE as incompetent as the OP suggests...you and your friends have just not discovered that fact yet is all.

AngieP · 26-03-2008, 23:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by olive0000

my advice:

DO NOT GO WITH (3) THREE NETWORK.

seriously, i have had nothing but trouble from three in the coming up to 18 months ive been with them. and i have been a perfect customer, never gotton behind on payments, always pay on time, etc etc.

but they are by far in my experience the worst network to be on with the worst 'customer services' helplines. ive been with vodaphone, O2, Orange in the past and they were fine. 3 is a whole other story.

it took me over 30 mins on the phone to three mobile network to get them to process my request for a cancellation of my contract when it comes to an end next month. because they dont listen to you, it is like talking to a brick wall who ever you talk to. they all yap on about offers and been a valued customer even when you are repeating for the 12th time, nothing will make you renew with them.

it took complaining to a manager before the request was processed.

ive made so many complaints and talked to managers so many times when ive had problems with them. they are all useless and dont LISTEN, and they are all pushy as hell. and the VAT they charge is CRAZY.

ive also had friends who've had huge problems with them.

seriously worst network ever.

What do you mean about the VAT?

OLDSOAK · 26-03-2008, 23:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Legin

If you actually use your phone a lot and don't have one "just in case" a contract is always cheaper.

..and if you use a phone as a phone not an extension to your ego...PAYG is cheaper than a contract...

olive0000 · 26-03-2008, 23:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Legin

Why do you keep changing networks?

You can get a good deal with any supplier if you are smart and know what is possible if you haggle.

why not change networks? it's always depended on the phone ive wanted and where i got it, what was reccomended.

Im going pay as you go when my contract runs out. less hassle and you only pay for what you need when you need it, rather than a lump sum of what you could or might use. there are deals with some networks now where when you top up every month you recieve free texts etc. im not going into another contract again after my experience with this one.

Legin · 26-03-2008, 23:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluetracker

..and if you use a phone as a phone not an extension to your ego...PAYG is cheaper than a contract...

You been drinking again Bluetracker?

OLDSOAK · 26-03-2008, 23:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Legin

You been drinking again Bluetracker?

No I'm always argumentative....what's your excuse?

olive0000 · 26-03-2008, 23:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluetracker

Good for you and them...no really I'm glad there are some that don't have problems with 3G (Hutchison telecom)...Personally I have just finished dragging their sorry asses through the regulatory system (OFTEL).
They really ARE as incompetent as the OP suggests...you and your friends have just not discovered that fact yet is all.

oh really? im not suprised. what happened?

when i rang up my bank last month after three took 2 monthly payments off me by mistake (and it was my bank that had to sort that out too, 3 were useless) to verify they had-i made a remark about how annoyed i was with 3 and their service and the woman said that they have lots of customers saying the same thing about 3. i wasnt suprised at all.

3 are completely useless in my experience.

in january they tried to force me to renew my contract for an uprgrade but said that if i didnt do it then, i wouldnt be able to do it till my contract ran out in April. etc etc. if people havent had problems with them, wait a while, and i bet they will.

ive never known such a forceful network when dealing with customers.

olive0000 · 26-03-2008, 23:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngieP

What do you mean about the VAT?

vat charges on the monthly bills. 17.5% on top of my bill

rockerchick · 26-03-2008, 23:33

Do they charge vat on your bill on other networks?

olive0000 · 26-03-2008, 23:38

do you mean with networks ive been with in the past?

rockerchick · 26-03-2008, 23:40

No sorry i meant for anyone who is on contract on another network.

zippydoodah · 26-03-2008, 23:43

I'm with o2's simplicity contract at the moment and its very ideal for my needs.

Why? Well I hate contract phones and being tied to a 12/18 month contract is a big no no. However o2's Simplicity is a rolling 1 month contract plus you get free unlimited o2 to o2 calls.

So the good news for me is that I find this good and at least I'm not being tied down. It's only a SIM only deal though but for my £15 a month, I get 200 mins, 300 texts and as mentioned the unlimited o2 to o2 calls on top.

Apologies if this sounds like an advert, it isn't intentional!

OLDSOAK · 26-03-2008, 23:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by olive0000

oh really? im not suprised. what happened?

...........

This did...

d'@ve · 26-03-2008, 23:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Legin

If you actually use your phone a lot and don't have one "just in case" a contract is always cheaper.

Therefore, it is not always cheaper. My paygo isn't even "just in case" and it's cheaper than any contract. Partly because I ignore all spamming "special offers" from BT (well from everyone actually!) designed to persuade me to use it for more than a few one minute conversations each day...

It's good not to talk!

njeo · 26-03-2008, 23:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by olive0000

vat charges on the monthly bills. 17.5% on top of my bill

Companies are obliged to charge VAT on services such as mobile telephones. They aren't taking the piss out of you, VAT has to be paid and the rate is 17.5%.

rockerchick · 27-03-2008, 00:02

I cant be paying vat on my phone bill because before i signed anything i said to the girl so im just double checking that the only money that will be going out of my account is £xx a month for the phone contact and £xx a month for the insurance and there's no more hidden costs? And she said yes that's right.

olive0000 · 27-03-2008, 00:03

the vat annoys me, since it adds a lot to my bill. thats another plus for pay as you go-you arent paying vat charges every month.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluetracker

This did...

what a nightmare.

when i ask for a head office or management address to write to to make an official complaint they say i can only write to customer servies whom are the people i have a problem with in the first place. im going to the store i got my phone from to make a complaint, maybe they'll take notice.

teletv · 27-03-2008, 00:09

I moved to 3 after having horrible problems with t-mobile. My w850i kept loosing signal, crashing, not responding etc etc.. t-mobile had the phone back 8 times and once kept it for over a month and still charged me for it! It was only when my contract was up for renewal i really started having problems. They wouldnt give me an upgrade phone, they just offered me another w850i, when i refused and said i was cancelling the contract but i would like to keep the same number and be transfered to PAYG the woman agreed. The day my contract ended and blip! my sim was shut off. TWO days later my phone went off (alerted)and my sim was re-activated. BUT my number was new! No old number. I rang t-mobile. They couldnt give me my old number as i would need to pay £20 for it. Needless to say, i put the phone down went straight into my local town centre, ready to fight to the death in the nearest t-mobile store for a better contract/handset when my better half said lets check them ALL out see who can offer us the better deal. I agreed and we ended up in a '3' store. I got a N95 8gig in black with bluetooth headset, incar and mains charger carry case/cleaning cloth for screen 300 video minutes 500 xnet anytime minutes and 300 '3' to '3' minutes for £25 a month. Yep its an 18 month contract but i have been called TWICE by 3 asking if ANY problems, when i said no and i am happy with my phone/contract i was told by the nice lady who speaks english that anytime i have a problem with my handset take it straight back to the '3' store where purchased. For repair and i can have a loan handset whilst mine was being fixed. When i asked if i could have that in writing (i was joking) she said yes and the letter arrived two days later! I couldnt be happier! My phone always says FULL signal, web is fast, everything it says on the tin!

olive0000 · 27-03-2008, 00:17

teletv-ive never experienced any kind of customer service like that in the nearly 18 months ive been with them, not even once. wait and see if you're still happy 17 months in when problems have had time to arise.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockerchick

I cant be paying vat on my phone bill because before i signed anything i said to the girl so im just double checking that the only money that will be going out of my account is £xx a month for the phone contact and £xx a month for the insurance and there's no more hidden costs? And she said yes that's right.

i dont know but the insurance isnt really worth it, id cancel it if i were you. i did after the first month. my mother paid for over a year then when she had a problem with her phone, they said that it was wear and tear and wasnt covered, they always find a way out of paying out and its all wasted money if you dont claim on you're phone. ive had my phone nearly 18 months now and never had it break. the guy i got my phone from even reccomended that i cancel after the first 3 months cause thats when its most likely to be damanged.

26-03-2008, 22:24	#1
olive0000 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7,058	anyone about to go on a new monthly phone contract READ THIS my advice: DO NOT GO WITH (3) THREE NETWORK. seriously, i have had nothing but trouble from three in the coming up to 18 months ive been with them. and i have been a perfect customer, never gotton behind on payments, always pay on time, etc etc. but they are by far in my experience the worst network to be on with the worst 'customer services' helplines. ive been with vodaphone, O2, Orange in the past and they were fine. 3 is a whole other story. it took me over 30 mins on the phone to three mobile network to get them to process my request for a cancellation of my contract when it comes to an end next month. because they dont listen to you, it is like talking to a brick wall who ever you talk to. they all yap on about offers and been a valued customer even when you are repeating for the 12th time, nothing will make you renew with them. it took complaining to a manager before the request was processed. ive made so many complaints and talked to managers so many times when ive had problems with them. they are all useless and dont LISTEN, and they are all pushy as hell. and the VAT they charge is CRAZY. ive also had friends who've had huge problems with them. seriously worst network ever.

26-03-2008, 22:59	#2
Legin Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 823	Why do you keep changing networks? You can get a good deal with any supplier if you are smart and know what is possible if you haggle.

26-03-2008, 23:03	#3
OLDSOAK Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3,511	Go PAYG and be smarter still

26-03-2008, 23:03	#4
PinkGlitter Inactive Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Nottingham Posts: 1,056	Ive been with 3 for about 18 months and never had any problems with them. A few of my friends are also with 3 and they think it's fine.

26-03-2008, 23:07	#5
Legin Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 823	Quote: Originally Posted by Bluetracker Go PAYG and be smarter still If you actually use your phone a lot and don't have one "just in case" a contract is always cheaper.

26-03-2008, 23:08	#6
Collette Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Schmocation Posts: 3,911	My husband and I are both with 3 - I've had no problems at all but he's had a couple. All got resolved eventually but it took some doing, and he now gets a serious discount on his bill for his trouble. I've heard a few horror stories about them but no more than I've heard about other phone companies.

26-03-2008, 23:08	#7
OLDSOAK Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3,511	Quote: Originally Posted by PinkGlitter Ive been with 3 for about 18 months and never had any problems with them. A few of my friends are also with 3 and they think it's fine. Good for you and them...no really I'm glad there are some that don't have problems with 3G (Hutchison telecom)...Personally I have just finished dragging their sorry asses through the regulatory system (OFTEL). They really ARE as incompetent as the OP suggests...you and your friends have just not discovered that fact yet is all.

26-03-2008, 23:08	#8
AngieP Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Birmingham Posts: 1,837	Quote: Originally Posted by olive0000 my advice: DO NOT GO WITH (3) THREE NETWORK. seriously, i have had nothing but trouble from three in the coming up to 18 months ive been with them. and i have been a perfect customer, never gotton behind on payments, always pay on time, etc etc. but they are by far in my experience the worst network to be on with the worst 'customer services' helplines. ive been with vodaphone, O2, Orange in the past and they were fine. 3 is a whole other story. it took me over 30 mins on the phone to three mobile network to get them to process my request for a cancellation of my contract when it comes to an end next month. because they dont listen to you, it is like talking to a brick wall who ever you talk to. they all yap on about offers and been a valued customer even when you are repeating for the 12th time, nothing will make you renew with them. it took complaining to a manager before the request was processed. ive made so many complaints and talked to managers so many times when ive had problems with them. they are all useless and dont LISTEN, and they are all pushy as hell. and the VAT they charge is CRAZY. ive also had friends who've had huge problems with them. seriously worst network ever. What do you mean about the VAT?

26-03-2008, 23:10	#9
OLDSOAK Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3,511	Quote: Originally Posted by Legin If you actually use your phone a lot and don't have one "just in case" a contract is always cheaper. ..and if you use a phone as a phone not an extension to your ego...PAYG is cheaper than a contract...

26-03-2008, 23:12	#10
olive0000 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7,058	Quote: Originally Posted by Legin Why do you keep changing networks? You can get a good deal with any supplier if you are smart and know what is possible if you haggle. why not change networks? it's always depended on the phone ive wanted and where i got it, what was reccomended. Im going pay as you go when my contract runs out. less hassle and you only pay for what you need when you need it, rather than a lump sum of what you could or might use. there are deals with some networks now where when you top up every month you recieve free texts etc. im not going into another contract again after my experience with this one.

26-03-2008, 23:18	#12
OLDSOAK Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3,511	Quote: Originally Posted by Legin You been drinking again Bluetracker? No I'm always argumentative....what's your excuse?

26-03-2008, 23:19	#13
olive0000 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7,058	Quote: Originally Posted by Bluetracker Good for you and them...no really I'm glad there are some that don't have problems with 3G (Hutchison telecom)...Personally I have just finished dragging their sorry asses through the regulatory system (OFTEL). They really ARE as incompetent as the OP suggests...you and your friends have just not discovered that fact yet is all. oh really? im not suprised. what happened? when i rang up my bank last month after three took 2 monthly payments off me by mistake (and it was my bank that had to sort that out too, 3 were useless) to verify they had-i made a remark about how annoyed i was with 3 and their service and the woman said that they have lots of customers saying the same thing about 3. i wasnt suprised at all. 3 are completely useless in my experience. in january they tried to force me to renew my contract for an uprgrade but said that if i didnt do it then, i wouldnt be able to do it till my contract ran out in April. etc etc. if people havent had problems with them, wait a while, and i bet they will. ive never known such a forceful network when dealing with customers.

26-03-2008, 23:25	#14
olive0000 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7,058	Quote: Originally Posted by AngieP What do you mean about the VAT? vat charges on the monthly bills. 17.5% on top of my bill

26-03-2008, 23:33	#15
rockerchick Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Manchester Posts: 8,470	Do they charge vat on your bill on other networks?

26-03-2008, 23:38	#16
olive0000 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7,058	do you mean with networks ive been with in the past?

26-03-2008, 23:40	#17
rockerchick Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Manchester Posts: 8,470	No sorry i meant for anyone who is on contract on another network.

26-03-2008, 23:43	#18
zippydoodah Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,721	I'm with o2's simplicity contract at the moment and its very ideal for my needs. Why? Well I hate contract phones and being tied to a 12/18 month contract is a big no no. However o2's Simplicity is a rolling 1 month contract plus you get free unlimited o2 to o2 calls. So the good news for me is that I find this good and at least I'm not being tied down. It's only a SIM only deal though but for my £15 a month, I get 200 mins, 300 texts and as mentioned the unlimited o2 to o2 calls on top. Apologies if this sounds like an advert, it isn't intentional!

26-03-2008, 23:47	#19
OLDSOAK Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3,511	Quote: Originally Posted by olive0000 oh really? im not suprised. what happened? ........... This did...

26-03-2008, 23:47	#20
d'@ve Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Darn Sarf Posts: 28,743	Quote: Originally Posted by Legin If you actually use your phone a lot and don't have one "just in case" a contract is always cheaper. Therefore, it is not always cheaper. My paygo isn't even "just in case" and it's cheaper than any contract. Partly because I ignore all spamming "special offers" from BT (well from everyone actually!) designed to persuade me to use it for more than a few one minute conversations each day... It's good not to talk!

26-03-2008, 23:51	#21
njeo Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hazel Grove Posts: 5,191	Quote: Originally Posted by olive0000 vat charges on the monthly bills. 17.5% on top of my bill Companies are obliged to charge VAT on services such as mobile telephones. They aren't taking the piss out of you, VAT has to be paid and the rate is 17.5%.

27-03-2008, 00:02	#22
rockerchick Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Manchester Posts: 8,470	I cant be paying vat on my phone bill because before i signed anything i said to the girl so im just double checking that the only money that will be going out of my account is £xx a month for the phone contact and £xx a month for the insurance and there's no more hidden costs? And she said yes that's right.

DS Forums

anyone about to go on a new monthly phone contract READ THIS

27-03-2008, 00:03	#23
olive0000 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7,058	the vat annoys me, since it adds a lot to my bill. thats another plus for pay as you go-you arent paying vat charges every month. Quote: Originally Posted by Bluetracker This did... what a nightmare. when i ask for a head office or management address to write to to make an official complaint they say i can only write to customer servies whom are the people i have a problem with in the first place. im going to the store i got my phone from to make a complaint, maybe they'll take notice.

27-03-2008, 00:09	#24
teletv Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Birmingham Posts: 893	I moved to 3 after having horrible problems with t-mobile. My w850i kept loosing signal, crashing, not responding etc etc.. t-mobile had the phone back 8 times and once kept it for over a month and still charged me for it! It was only when my contract was up for renewal i really started having problems. They wouldnt give me an upgrade phone, they just offered me another w850i, when i refused and said i was cancelling the contract but i would like to keep the same number and be transfered to PAYG the woman agreed. The day my contract ended and blip! my sim was shut off. TWO days later my phone went off (alerted)and my sim was re-activated. BUT my number was new! No old number. I rang t-mobile. They couldnt give me my old number as i would need to pay £20 for it. Needless to say, i put the phone down went straight into my local town centre, ready to fight to the death in the nearest t-mobile store for a better contract/handset when my better half said lets check them ALL out see who can offer us the better deal. I agreed and we ended up in a '3' store. I got a N95 8gig in black with bluetooth headset, incar and mains charger carry case/cleaning cloth for screen 300 video minutes 500 xnet anytime minutes and 300 '3' to '3' minutes for £25 a month. Yep its an 18 month contract but i have been called TWICE by 3 asking if ANY problems, when i said no and i am happy with my phone/contract i was told by the nice lady who speaks english that anytime i have a problem with my handset take it straight back to the '3' store where purchased. For repair and i can have a loan handset whilst mine was being fixed. When i asked if i could have that in writing (i was joking) she said yes and the letter arrived two days later! I couldnt be happier! My phone always says FULL signal, web is fast, everything it says on the tin!

27-03-2008, 00:17	#25
olive0000 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7,058	teletv-ive never experienced any kind of customer service like that in the nearly 18 months ive been with them, not even once. wait and see if you're still happy 17 months in when problems have had time to arise. Quote: Originally Posted by rockerchick I cant be paying vat on my phone bill because before i signed anything i said to the girl so im just double checking that the only money that will be going out of my account is £xx a month for the phone contact and £xx a month for the insurance and there's no more hidden costs? And she said yes that's right. i dont know but the insurance isnt really worth it, id cancel it if i were you. i did after the first month. my mother paid for over a year then when she had a problem with her phone, they said that it was wear and tear and wasnt covered, they always find a way out of paying out and its all wasted money if you dont claim on you're phone. ive had my phone nearly 18 months now and never had it break. the guy i got my phone from even reccomended that i cancel after the first 3 months cause thats when its most likely to be damanged.