3 - How do i escape?

WellyJ

Hey guys,

Currently under contract with 3 and i really want out.

I changed my plan a couple of months ago and im guessing that renewed the 12 month contract?

This month however they totally ****ed up my bill this month charging me 80 euro extra for no reason. They have acknowledged this and though they will still debit my account, they will apparently credit it on the next bill with the 80.

Could this be seen as a breach of the contract, them ****ing up?

If I stop the direct debit could i escape the contract now?

BuffyBot

Stopping the DD will not break your contract.

And I don't think a mistake, that they've promised to rectified nullifies it either..

WellyJ

BuffyBot wrote:

Stopping the DD will not break your contract.

And I don't think a mistake, that they've promised to rectified nullifies it either..

Ok so any advice on voiding the contract?

What about the fact I dont get any 3G reception in my area?

Surely that could do it?

Saruman

Simply changing your plan should not renew a contract. As far as i know you have the initial contract for 12 months and thats it. After that you can leave any time. Unless of course when you changed your plan you got another subsidised phone from them? That might be different.

Why not simply call them and tell them you are cancelling?

WellyJ

Saruman wrote:

Simply changing your plan should not renew a contract. As far as i know you have the initial contract for 12 months and thats it. After that you can leave any time. Unless of course when you changed your plan you got another subsidised phone from them? That might be different.

Why not simply call them and tell them you are cancelling?

I have been with them since October 2005 but got a phone upgrade in October 2006, so as far as I know I am under contract until October this year.

I don't want to ring to cancel without having a valid reason first in case they try to force me to pay out the remainder of the contract

culabula

WellyJ wrote:

I have been with them since October 2005 but got a phone upgrade in October 2006, so as far as I know I am under contract until October this year.

I don't want to ring to cancel without having a valid reason first in case they try to force me to pay out the remainder of the contract

Changing plan is simply that; it isn't a renewal of a 12 month contract.

1huge1

Why is it you want to leave so badly, ive put up with not living in a 3G area for 2 years, its made littlle difference to me though limerick city is 5mins away so im not missing out on anything.

Slice

Unfair terms in a contract are prohibited by consumer law. Renewing your contract because you changed plan could be seen as that - although I don't think Three do this; O2 however has done so before as far as I'm aware. If your bill did not specify that you would be direct debited the €80 you were debited then Three have breached the terms of the direct debit scheme and should seek to rectify it straight away by refunding the difference into your account, as oppose to on your next bill. You could argue your way out of your contract in this respect...

WellyJ

Slice wrote:

Unfair terms in a contract are prohibited by consumer law. Renewing your contract because you changed plan could be seen as that - although I don't think Three do this; O2 however has done so before as far as I'm aware. If your bill did not specify that you would be direct debited the €80 you were debited then Three have breached the terms of the direct debit scheme and should seek to rectify it straight away by refunding the difference into your account, as oppose to on your next bill. You could argue your way out of your contract in this respect...

Thought as much,

Thanks for the help Slice

dmn

so did you agrue it further to customer care?
funny i was thinking of moving to three. but i don't have any good reason as of yet

tallus

dmn: it's fine as long as you're happy with the phone and dont have any technical problems. Having to call them is frustrating. I hate their lack of customer service.

Solair

If you want to leave them, after 6 months you can downgrade your service plan by one step at a time, month per month.

i.e. if you're on the €79 / month you can downgrade to €49, then to €29 then to €19 (month by month)

If you leave before 12 months, they'll charge the minimum monthly fees left to run on the contract.

If you are that keen on leaving:
once you get it down to the €19 price plan. Just give them 30 days notice, you'll be charged €19x(number of months left)
But, your contract will be terminated once this is paid in full. Just ask them to calculate a termination fee for you. You'll get a final bill etc and your number will be free to port once it's paid up.

WellyJ

Solair wrote:

If you want to leave them, after 6 months you can downgrade your service plan by one step at a time, month per month.

i.e. if you're on the €79 / month you can downgrade to €49, then to €29 then to €19 (month by month)

If you leave before 12 months, they'll charge the minimum monthly fees left to run on the contract.

If you are that keen on leaving:
once you get it down to the €19 price plan. Just give them 30 days notice, you'll be charged €19x(number of months left)
But, your contract will be terminated once this is paid in full. Just ask them to calculate a termination fee for you. You'll get a final bill etc and your number will be free to port once it's paid up.

Called them this morning,

Apparently there policy has changed, was able to downgrade all the way to te 19 euro one from the 75 one.

So now i have to pay that for August and September and then im gone.

Sounds good! Though I will have an N80 sitting in the drawer collecting dust, dont think they are unlockable yet?

Or will 3 unlock it for me once the year is up?

Sam Vimes

3 will do it for a 25 euro unlocking fee