3 (Three) Mobile Contract Problems - Help

[DeludedGuy]

Slightly long post, but basically 3 are trying to con me out of £180.

My original 3 contract ended in November 2006, I called them in October to give them a months notification that I wanted to cancel, as I already had another contract with 02.

I tried to cancel my contract but the guy I spoke to was very persistent and persuasive, he offered me a 100 minutes every month for free, all I would do is pay £5 on the 12th month of the new contract.

I rejected it 2 times before I finally agreed to it.

My account was credited with £246, just about enough for 6 months, I assumed they would credit it again.

Its now 6 months into that contract and I only have £6 credit.

Worried, I called 3 today and had to speak to 4 people, each time explaining the situation before speaking to the supervisor. They said that on their system there is no such offer, and that the offer I have is 6 months free line rental.

I had to argue with the supervisor, stating that I did not agree to that contract, and I never even use the phone, therefore they are trying to steal my money, the contract should be null and void and I should be free to cancel my direct debit.

At this point the supervisor said he would investigate and call me back within 48 hours.

So where do I stand?

As I did not sign to this contract, and it was a verbal agreement they should have a record of the conversation where the guy offered me 100 minutes every month for free, and if they do not have a record of me agreeing to it, I should be able to cancel it anyway.

Right?

Help.

[DeludedGuy]

Anyone?

[Sinizter]

Tell them to show you where you signed a contract. If not, there shouldnt be any way for them to prove that you signed a contract with them - which leaves you able to cancel the contract.

But it could get very messy and damage your credit report if they continue to charge you and then sell your debt to a recovery company or whatever.

If you are going to cancel, then everything agreed should be done in writing to avoid problems in the future.

[DeludedGuy]

Thanks, thats what I thought.

It makes me so angry that they can do this to people.

[Budding]

3 isn't well known for their good customer service. I would avoid that operator at all costs.

[muddyfox470]

Never Ever accept a contract offered to you by their India call centre, they make up so many lies it is unreal, worst thing is there is never any paper confirmation of the 'contract' you have just agreed to, and by the time you have noticed there is anything wrong you will have forgotten their name (that they said was george or whatever), and had their healthy commission.

I always cancel then either go for the cashback offers, or go via quidco each year to get a new contract, sure I have to change my number but so far so good

Ian

[DeludedGuy]

Had to learn the hard way.

[muddyfox470]

Had to learn the hard way.

They did it to my dad, when the contract was in his name and I told him to cancel it.

They always offers 'too good to be true' they did it to me, and you have to ask to cancel it so many times

Ian

[GhostMjr]

In all fairness i get some good deals from virgin media for my tv, phone and broadband which i have been able to swindle. Anyway on mobile phone contracts keep well away from verbal aggreements. You need to write to insurance companies etc. In todays world it is easy for you to ring up a company and speak to an advisor. Now a sales representative is trained in just that sales where as a claim advisor such as with a insurer deals with claims. They are able to coherse or even force you into certain things that you may not have intended and it is therefore better to always write a letter. However you need to record when you posted a letter and get a proof of posting. In all phone conversations can be taped and unless you have a copy of the recording very hard to prove. Anyway just make sure you write into people i learnt this the hardway to .

[DeludedGuy]

So basically, if they cant find the recorded conversation then their is no verbal contract.

They are suppose to call me tomorrow with an update, I will keep you guys informed on what happens.

[mightymouse]

I was offered the same deal too. basically they just wanted me to keep the line and all i had to pay was 5pounds. make sure you call in the day when you will be speaking to uk offices. hopes it works out but i am sure they cant pin this on you.

another plan is to talk to consumer direct i think, try to google them. cuz they are really helpful

[Sinizter]

Do keep us updated ... Would like to know how this is going to be resolved.

[DeludedGuy]

Well....

The supervisor was suppose to call me on Monday, and he did, at 8pm!
I missed his call but he left a voice mail asking me to call him back, however I couldn't understand the guys name, he had very strong Indian accent and spoke too fast.

I called the customer support centre at 1pm on Tuesday, the person I spoke to said the supervisor would call me back in 30 minutes.
This didn't happen, It was 3pm and I had not received a call so I decided to call them back.

Once again, I had to speak to 2 different people, each time verifying my identity and explaining the situation, once again, the person I spoke to said the supervisor would call me back in 15-30 minutes and apologised.

4 hours later and I had not received any calls.

I call them again, and this time the guy I speak to puts me through to the manager who was very apologetic and seemed to know exactly what was going on with my account.
He said that "their may have been a technical error" in my account, whatever that mean, and that he needed to transfer me to the accounts section.

There was a 30 minute waiting time at the time and he offered to call me back when the waiting time was lower.

10pm and I had not received a call back, so I call them back again but there was a massive waiting time and I just hung up.

I am going to call them again now.

[DeludedGuy]

OH MY GOD.

30 minutes on the phone spent shouting and threatening them with court action.

I spoke to a customer representative, a supervisor and then a manager.

The managers name is Alister, who seems to think that whatever is on the system is correct.

I told him to send me a copy of the recorded verbal agreement which would prove that I didn't agree to the current contract, he was stunned for a little and said he couldn't get a hold of that information.

I then told him that the contract is null and void if he has no proof of me agreeing to the current contract.

He kept repeating that whatever is on the system is correct.

I then had to ask him to spell his name, and the customer representatives name, I said I was going to complain to the head office, ofcom and cancel my direct debit as they have no proof of me agreeing to the contract.

He then said, Mr ........... Can you hold for one minute.

He then said he could offer me the 100 minutes a month for free and pay the £5 on the 12th month, which is what I initially agreed to.
He said he would credit my account with whatever is needed.

I finally said yes, thats fine, its what I initially wanted.

You wouldn't believe how much hassle you have to go through to get them to do the correct and simple thing.

They just expected me to give up and pay, no doubt a lot of people just give up, I was so frustrated and angry.

STAY AWAY FROM THREE.

[DeludedGuy]

I received my new highly anticipated monthly bill from three, and wouldn't you just know it, they messed me about again.

They promised me they would switch me to the talk and text 200 and credit my account to what it was initially supposed to be, however all they did was change the price plan.

So now I have been billed £20.

I'm currently on the phone to them, its been 36 minutes.

[Sinizter]

Do you keep recordings of your calls to them? I think most new phones and skype etc can do that for you.