Posted by adramshaw
Hi, since joining 3 just over a month ago, i've been appauled with their customer service and coverage.
I get about 0 - 1 bar of 3g signal where i live, and because of their stupid firmware, i can't get it to select GSM only.
I phone up their customer service, only to have a 40 minute conversation with somebody hardly managing the english language over in India, going around in circles and circles to no avail.
After this time period, i have had enough, and the prospect of finnishing my 18 month contract to the end terrifies me!
Is there any way to cancel this contract on the grounds that they've been incompetant, or their service is too limited (in my area) and run back to vodaphone with a new-found love.
Or am i doomed to speaking with Patel every time i stumble across yet more problems.
Posted by bavlondon2
In a nutshell no you cant get out of it sooner than you are allowed to. 3 have 99% 3g coverage in the UK so I dont know why you are experiencing these problems. Could be a faulty handset.
Posted by adramshaw
i've tried numerous handsets, and they all seem to get an awful reception in my house, when on the M25, etc. i can get a full 3g reception, but just not where i live! A few hundred metres from my house it is fine as well!
Posted by bavlondon2
Must be something to do with your house.
Posted by Blueacid
3 have 99% 3g coverage in the UK
No, they quote 99% coverage for voice and text; they use Orange's 2G network to provide backup coverage for their not-as-thorough 3g service
Posted by 13chanty1
I have a z610i phone and its 3g. its quite good by the way. but the 3 contract p%$$ me off so many times. they told me the internet service was free but then it turned out it was only the 3 web that was free!
Posted by Muhammad-Oli
Can you not pay a smallish sum of money to them to cancel the contract? We can do that here in New Zealand. I had about 6 months left on my contract, and paid less than half of my monthly bill to cancel it!
Posted by 13chanty1
cool!
Posted by Residentevil
that is something we would like to have here in the US.
Posted by Muhammad-Oli
You mean you can't pay your way out of a contract?
Posted by 13chanty1
NO!
Posted by Muhammad-Oli
That seems a bit weird. Are you sure? Have you asked them if its possible?
Posted by 13chanty1
you have to pay the whole contracts money just to get out of the contract. even if you're halfway cross the contract, in my country, you have to pay the full cost a full contract.
Posted by Bonovox
Yes you have to pay the remainder of how many months are left for instance if its £20 per month you gotta pay that amount for each month left. Plus any other call charges made. Under law if they are not providing what they promise in a contract you can get in touch with Ofcom the telecoms regulator. Got to www.ofcom.org.uk. Good luck. Oh and yes 3 are pants.
Posted by Daedalus85
Bonovox got it bang on there, yes you need to pay off however many months you've got left to get rid of it.
HOWEVER, hate to say it, but this can be considered your fault some extent. All networks give you a 14 day change of mind policy if you have no or little coverage. Thats two whole weeks you have to realise "huh, I've got no signal" and take it back...
Posted by cuffs73
I had the 3G coverage issues with 3 and could only get a signal with 2G but after they decided to ditch O2 in favour of Orange, I couldn't get a sinal at all. It took me about 2 months of constant complaining to customer services but they did cancel my contract free of charge. It was worth it though as I couldn't have had to put up with it for another 10 months.
You should also think about debranding your handset to enable you to turn off 3G and select GSM, that's what I did.
Posted by jimnm
I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing problems with 3 I have had 3 for about 14 months and the service is first class. Good service and connecticity. I defected from Orange as I had loads of problems with them.
I was thinking of changing to Virgin as they do some really good deals.
A change is as good as a rest!
I hope you get sorted soon
Posted by newwave19
3 are ok as long as you have no problems.....they're customer service is crap......i've had loads of dealings with them through work, and if they say they'll call you back, it never happens.
as for the contract, no way out of it mate, you're stuck there.....
can't be bother looking back, but someone said about the 14 day change of mind....its no longer the case, you need to ask when buying the phone now, otherwise you could be stuck with it full stop. the only way you can be sure to be able to return it within a timescale is through the 7 day distance selling act, but it has be gotten either online or over the telephone
Posted by victorv
my mate is trying to get out of his contract to buy a 3G iPhone - the 3 rep in India mentioned you can request a change of owner form, you will need to find someone to buy your contract from you though - maybe if you throw in some ££.
I am considering doing the same with my 4 month N95 8gb, again to get the iPhone.
no idea if there is much of a market to pick up a contract though.
Dave.