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Old 07-08-2008, 10:46
MoscowFlyer
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I received a letter this morning from 3 telling me they're changing their call pricing structure so that any call lasting less than a minute will now be rounded up to a minute.

I'm not fussed about this in the slightest but have just got an iPhone, so the 3 contract is of no use to me any more. Can I get out of my contract due to them changing the terms, albeit ever so slightly?

This is from their T&C's

4. Variations to your agreement or prices

Pay Monthly Customers

4.1 We may vary any of the terms of your agreement, including our Price Plans, on the following basis:

1. any updated Price Plans and new terms will be available on our website and on request to 3 Customer Services;
2. if you are a Pay Monthly Customer, we will let you know at least one month in advance if we decide to:
1. discontinue your Price Plan; or
2. make any variations to your agreement which are likely to be of detriment to you; or
3. increase the fixed periodic charges for your Price Plan (if applicable) by an amount which is more than the percentage increase in the Retail Prices Index Figure (or any future equivalent) in any twelve month period.

You can end the agreement for such variations as explained in Section 10. Subject to the above, you will not be able to end the agreement if such variation or increase:

1. is due to changes to the law, government regulation or licence which affect us; or
2. relates solely to Additional Services; or
3. relates solely to Add-on(s) (if applicable to you).


10. Ending this agreement and Disconnection of 3 Services

Pay Monthly Customers

10.1 You may end this agreement in the following ways:

1. In certain circumstances under our Returns Policy. You may need to get in touch with 3 Customer Services to arrange Disconnection.
2. You can end the agreement during your Minimum Term (if you have one – this will be stated in your Price Plan) by giving notice to 3 Customer Services at least 30 days before the date you want to end the agreement. However, you must pay us all the Charges you owe, plus any Cancellation Fee for your Price Plan (as set out in the Price Guide).
3. On 30 days' notice, outside the Minimum Term. You can end the agreement if your Price Plan does not contain a Minimum Term, or if you want to end the agreement at the end of your Minimum Term or any time after your Minimum Term has expired, provided you give notice to 3 Customer Services at least 30 days before the date you want to end the agreement. (A Cancellation Fee will not be charged.)
4. 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.)
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Old 07-08-2008, 11:02
flagpole
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This has come up before with three, a couple of years back. I'm trying to remeber what they changed, i think it was the cost of three to three minutes, i've got 5p and 10p in mind.

You should dig around on here, see what happened.

those terms are quite generous, vod and o2 are more demanding, you have to show that the change will increase your costs by more than 10%
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Old 08-08-2008, 15:19
MoscowFlyer
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If anyone's interested, I wrote them a letter giving 30 days notice stating the T&C's as above and they just called back to try and stop me, but admitted I could end the contract if I really wished, which I just have.
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Old 08-08-2008, 18:03
lininjim
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Hmm I've not had that letter, is every pay monthly customer getting it?
Were about six months into an eighteen month contract, I'd like to be able to tell them to shove it. (the £30 a month job, no data etc)
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Old 08-08-2008, 22:07
PlasticTurd
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So because of these changes, anyone ina contract, is technically allowed to end it? If so, do I just write a letter or can I canx over the phone?
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Old 09-08-2008, 00:15
MoscowFlyer
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Has to be in writing as per their T&C, I think an email via My3 is ok though.

I believe it affects every pay monthly customer, mine came in a separate letter, although thy sent it to my work address as thay's where they once sent a replacement handset, even though they have my home address as the billing address, sly or what!
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Old 09-08-2008, 00:42
superboy
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this is so so awesome, i'm in the same situation as the fella in that i have an iphone and don't need the three contract. Anyone got any example letters of what to write? or maybe some suggestions? would be most grateful thanks
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Old 09-08-2008, 07:36
MoscowFlyer
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Dear Sir/Madam

Mobile Number: ***** ******

Account Number: **********

Following the recent changes to your call charges as per your letter dated 5th August 2008, as these changes are of detriment to me I am writing to give you thirty days notice to cancel my contract, as set out in my contract in parts 4, 4.1b(ii) and 10.1(d)


Please can you confirm as soon as possible that the contract will be cancelled after thirty days. I understand from the contract that no additional charges will be made for cancelling the contract.

Thank you for your past service.

Kind regards,

MoscowFlyer

Hope this helps!
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Old 09-08-2008, 09:20
deshazer
 
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If your phone is essential to you, make sure you have an alternate to use for when they disconnect you.

A workmate who left Three was given his disconnection date. He thought he would have at least a morning or a couple of hours before the phone disconnected.

Three disconnect you overnight and he didn't know the phones were locked to the Three network. He knows now - hindsight is 20-20 vision - we ribbed him all day about it!
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Old 09-08-2008, 10:10
caspre12
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If your phone is essential to you, make sure you have an alternate to use for when they disconnect you.

A workmate who left Three was given his disconnection date. He thought he would have at least a morning or a couple of hours before the phone disconnected.

Three disconnect you overnight and he didn't know the phones were locked to the Three network. He knows now - hindsight is 20-20 vision - we ribbed him all day about it!
Do you keep your handset or have you got to send it back?
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Old 09-08-2008, 13:58
deshazer
 
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Do you keep your handset or have you got to send it back?
Dunno. His 18 month contract was fully paid up and he said he was going to sell the phone. So I guess he owns it. Maybe different if you are quitting early, based on changes to T & C's.

No doubt they will tell you in any disconnection confirmation letter if you have to return your phone.
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Old 09-08-2008, 14:08
MoscowFlyer
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Do you keep your handset or have you got to send it back?
You keep it.
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Old 09-08-2008, 15:37
coopermanyorks
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MF

Did you write a letter or e mail them to cancel ?
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Old 09-08-2008, 17:35
MoscowFlyer
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MF

Did you write a letter or e mail them to cancel ?
Both, I sent an email through My3 and a letter by recorded delivery.
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Old 09-08-2008, 17:49
Adrenalyz
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Quoted for truth. The phone is just a bonus, what you're paying for is to keep the line open for the duration of the contract. As soon as you sign for your phone it's yours to do with as you wish.
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Old 09-08-2008, 20:41
mancghirl
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Superb, thanks so much for posting this. I heard that these changes were coming, but only got the letter today. Just bought an iphone, so its good timing for me.

Letter all typed up and getting posted registered delivery on Monday!
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Old 09-08-2008, 20:56
PlasticTurd
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how long have we got before we can end contracts after they have changed their rules?
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Old 09-08-2008, 21:10
mancghirl
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You have to write within one month of the notice of variation in terms and conditions.
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Old 10-08-2008, 11:54
MoscowFlyer
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Just to add, I've heard of people having trouble cancelling when speaking to 3. Make sure you argue about the call charges being rounded up to a minute, even if it doesn't affect your bill.

You are well within your rights to cancel, tell them you've had legal advice regarding it, even if you haven't. You shouldn't have any problems though.
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Old 10-08-2008, 11:58
pageo10
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ive not had a letter yet can i still cancell
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Old 10-08-2008, 12:06
coopermanyorks
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ive not had a letter yet can i still cancell

Seems the letter is dated the 5th August , I am away from home until late tonight , I don't even know if my letter as arrived yet . I have sent an e mail to 3 with notice to cancel and I will follow it up with a letter by recorded snail mail.

It will affect certainly all Pay monthly customers so its only a matter of time till the letter arrives

Maybe they look at the length of contract you have left and are more determined to get someone who as recently started a contract to stay than someone who has only 3 months left of an 18 month contract ( like me )
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Old 10-08-2008, 16:13
Harlotqueen
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That is useful to know. While I like the unlimited data I'm not happy about the chrippled phonebook and being unable to turn 3G off when at home/parents (3G coverage is very weak in my flat and eats the battery and parents have no 3G whatsoever)
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Old 10-08-2008, 18:21
pageo10
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help i just sent them a email as stated by moscowflyer and 3 phoned me within a min told me i had to pay all my contract off
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Old 10-08-2008, 19:24
mancghirl
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Put the cancellation in writing to the Glasgow address and send it registered delivery. State in your letter that all contact must be in writing - that way, if they try and knock you back, you can contact OFCOM and raise a complaint. If you have to contact OFCOM (who are realy helpful), you'll find most telecoms companies are a bit more forthcoming.

(Had a problem with Orange BB and was fobbed off by various Indian call centres - when I contacted OFCOM, I had the problem resolved within 5 days with a letter of apology).
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Old 10-08-2008, 20:04
pageo10
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thanks mancghirl wats the glasgow address i only have battersea one sorry just found it
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