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[MSE Lawrence]

Until 31 Jan, 3 Mobile's reduced the price of its cheapest mobile contract from £12 to £9, making it the cheapest non-cashback deal on the market. Better still you can use Skype (internet telephony) at NO charge.

The benefit of being on contract is no upfront cost, inclusive minutes and calls charges are cheaper than most pay-as you gos.

What do you get?

You get a Sony Ericsson 3G cameraphone, 100 mins OR texts per month plus 300 3-to-3 minutes and unlimited free access (no data charge) to Skype, MSN Messenger & Voicemail. Plus, using the special code below when you order, you can get a £20 accessory voucher on top (e.g. enough for a free bluetooth headset)

Of course, one issue is this is on the Three network, at its reputation for reception isn't the best. Check with neighbours or work colleagues to see if its right for you.

How to get one.

Go to the Three online store* to see the deal. Click 'buy' and you'll get to the checkout page. Towards the bottom left of the page, there's a 'Got a promo code?' box.

To get the £20 accessory voucher (we have Three's permission to give this out) enter the code 9POUNDXTRA in the box, and click update. (This code was wrongly displayed for a short period on Weds, apologies for that). Now it should work perfectly; you'll see £20 Promotional Accessory Voucher in your basket once you've added it.

Three offers one-months free mobile insurance as standard, after which you'll pay £6.99/month.

While it's possible to take the insurance for a month and then cancel, if you're the forgetful type you might want to just remove it in the first instance. For a cheaper insurance deal, read the Mobile Insurance guide.

The Contract: Mix & Match 100

With the 18-month contract, you get 100 units to use each month. Each unit equates to one voice minute (any network, anytime), or 1 text message. You can spend the allocation any way.

You also get totally free access to Skype & MSN Messenger; great news if you already use these services. Access them via 'Planet 3', the network's web portal, to ensure you don't get any data charges.

Since it's 3G, you can also use the phone to surf the wider web and check emails, but here a big warning is necessary, because 3 charges a colossal £2/MB for data access on this package as standard.

With a £5/month add-on, you can get unlimited access, though then of course it's not nearly as cheap overall.

• Std call costs: 12p/min (flat rate, applies to mobiles & landlines)
• Std text costs: 12p/text
• Voicemail: FREE
• Data: £2/MB

The Phone: Sony Ericsson K660i

The K660i's available in a choice of either silver on black or the lime green on white pictured (3 exclusive). As well as all the usual calling/texting abilities it features a 2 Megapixel camera w/video recording, a decent music player, Google Maps for navigation (watch those data costs!) and an RSS reader, amongst other things.

For storage, it comes bundled with a 256MB Sony Memory Stick M2 card, but it'll accept a much bigger one, so if you'll use the extra space it's worth finding a cheap upgrade. Check the Cheap Memory Cards note for some top deals.

Is it for you?

Mobile MoneySaving's all about getting a package that suits your needs. After all, if you're likely to use 500 mins per month, you'll do better to pay higher line rental and get more included minutes. Read the full Cheap Mobiles guide to see if this deal's for you.

Can it be beaten?

Whilst this contract currently has the lowest standard cost, cashback deals mean you may be able to beat it. Read the full Cheapest Mobiles guide to find out how.

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* Using these links helps the site stay ad-free and free to use, as they’re ‘affiliated links’ which invisibly take you via commercial price comparison services like Moneysupermarket or Find, which then pay this site per click.

You shouldn’t notice any difference, the links don’t impact the product at all and the editorial line (the things I write) is NEVER impacted by the revenue. If it isn’t possible to get an affiliate link for the best product, it is still recommended and still included. The following: three.co.uk is an identical unaffiliated link provided for the sake of transparency. More details on how this site's financed.

[l33tsp33k]

While Three should be applauded for breaking the £10/mo barrier for contracts (no other network has yet dared do this), if you think you are going to use less than 75 units/month on average (75 minutes or texts or mixture of the two) then Three's Pay As You Go offering is cheaper....

• £9/month for 100 mins/texts is 9p per min/text. You get a free phone but you are tied in for an 18 month contract.
• Three's "Flat 12" PAYG tariff is 12p per min/text, but there's no contractual obligation, you only pay for what you actually use. If you think you are going to go for a burst of texting or talking you can buy a "stretch" add-on to reduce your costs to as little as 4p per min/text. Skype calls are also free providing you have topped up in the past 3 months. See the Three site for full details.

Hope that helps

Mike

[udydudy]

I guess one could use the quidco cashback to get £16 on the three offer which would take it down to £8.11 (i.e £16/18 = £0.89 less than the £9)

[girona002]

Hi!

I work for 3 and this is EASILY the cheapest deal we've done (though not the best value)!!! I'm a bit surprised that no-one's mentioned the 300 free 3 to 3 minutes this includes too!!! The higher tariffs(starting at £15/mth) include 2300 mins 3 to 3 (advertised as unlimited).

Bear in mind the 3 website's operated by a third party company, whereas if you phone 3 on the 0800 number, everything's processed directly by 3. The only downside is that on the phone you don't get the accessory voucher!

[Sid Harper]

I posted about this offer a few weeks ago when it was advertised as ending 31/12/08.

girona002 how does the 2000 3-3 minutes work if you buy two phones - is it every month or a one-off?

[happyly]

tried the 9POUNDEXTRA code again and again, but still no voucher added in my basket. Anyone got it successfully?

[Sid Harper]

Originally Posted by l33tsp33k

While Three should be applauded for breaking the £10/mo barrier for contracts (no other network has yet dared do this), if you think you are going to use less than 75 units/month on average (75 minutes or texts or mixture of the two) then Three's Pay As You Go offering is cheaper....

• £9/month for 100 mins/texts is 9p per min/text. You get a free phone but you are tied in for an 18 month contract.
• Three's "Flat 12" PAYG tariff is 12p per min/text, but there's no contractual obligation, you only pay for what you actually use. If you think you are going to go for a burst of texting or talking you can buy a "stretch" add-on to reduce your costs to as little as 4p per min/text. Skype calls are also free providing you have topped up in the past 3 months. See the Three site for full details.

Hope that helps

Mike

Material is the fact you get a new phone with this tarriff.

[Middlestitch]

The phone seems to have had some pretty mixed reviews - see:

http://www.yourmobilephonereviews.co...0i_reviews.htm

[cshowell]

Before taking out a contract with 3, you should be aware just quite how bad their customer service is. When I joined up originally I gave them my correct details with all my ID in my local store. When they printed off my receipt they had put both my first name and my surname as being the same. When I pointed this out I was told it was not a problem and to phone up and they would change it as it was clearly just a computer glitch. I phoned customer services and was told that they would not change it and that I had to go back to the store I brought the phone from (no other store was acceptable), and re-take in my ID. As I was 300 miles away at that point, they were asking a lot. When I pointed out they had done a credit check on my correct name, they refused to acknowledge that they had, and it was only when I yelled down the phone at a supervisor and threatened to call the police over having had a credit check done against my name, when I apparently did not have a contract with them, that they acquiesed and change my name back to what it should have been in the first place.

When I got married later that year I phoned them to find out about how to go about changing my name. They told me to take my marriage certificate into any local store and they would be happy to fax it in to customer services to get my name changed. As I was not working (Mat Leave) this was easy enough. Four stores in four different areas, on the same day, refused to fax it off for me, stating that their faxes were broken. When I made a return trip, one person told me that I was responsible for sending my own faxes, it was not their problem. Not having any stores near me with fax machines (nowhere locally has a mailbox etc), I did not bother any further and left it in my maiden name.

In September last year I got a letter stating that if I continued to receive itemised statements after October/November (can't remember which), I would be charged, so if I did not want to be charged I should phone customer services and ask for an e-bill. I did that straight away, spoke to a nice English chap, was assured that the e-bill would be forthcoming and that I would not be charged for any more itemised statements. Ever since I have still been receiving paper statements, and been being charged for them. What a surprise.

At the end of my contract in December I decided, not surprisingly, to cancel the contract. I phoned the call centre and had the most frustrating conversation of my life. The customer services assistant refused to cancel my contract, stating that they had a special offer for £12 a month and he would not cancel my contract as he felt that was the best deal for me. I spent 45 minutes on the phone to him, stating that I just wanted my contract cancelled, and he refused. I hung up. He called me back. I restated my case. He refused to cancel my contract and said he would keep calling back until I agreed to give him the sale he wanted. I hung up and called the call centre again, and the next person put me straight back onto this chap who still insisted on trying to sell me the contract at £12 per month. I asked to be put through to someone in the UK (yes it was one of those awful Indian call centres) who would cancel my contract, and he refused. I asked to speak to a supervisor and he said one was not available and they would not be willing to help unless I took out this further contract. My blood was boiling at this point and I even asked him if he understood what "cancel contract" meant. He said he did, and then tried again to sell me a contract at £12 per month. I hung up and switched the phone off.

I then went into a shop in my local town and asked them to cancel my contract. They refused and said I had to call the customer services. I explained the problem with customer services and was met with a shrug of the shoulders - not their problem apparently.

I phoned the call centre back and told the woman I got through to that I would take legal action for harrassment and threatening behaviour if I was put back to the person I had previously been talking to (clearly I did not have a case but with 3 it seems the threat of legal action is the only thing which motivates them). I told her I did not want to be sold anything, that I was suffering morning sickness and she had about 5 minutes before I made her listen to me throw up, and that I wanted my contract cancelled right away. She said that listening to me throw up would not be pleasant so she cancelled my contract in less that 5 minutes. My contract has apparently been cancelled as of about the 6th Jan. I await my final bill.

In short, avoid 3 at all costs. They have Indian call centres where the staff apparently do not understand English. They are rude and unhelpful and the staff in the shops are not much better. I would never, ever make the mistake of taking out a contract with them again. My blood still boils thinking about the last conversations I had with them, and if I trusted that my contract had actually been cancelled, I would be putting the complaint in writing. However, as I have no faith, the letter will wait until I am sure no more money has been taken from my account after my last payment is due at the end of the month.

Don't whatever you do, take out a contract with this company. You will only regret it if you have a problem with them, or want to cancel your contract.

Incidentally, if you are a long standing customer of any of the other major phone companies and threaten to leave, they will price match any of 3s offers, including this one.

[carringtonshire]

Does anyone know how Skype works if your phoning from outside the UK, can you still access it for free???

[Dime Bar]

Originally Posted by carringtonshire

Does anyone know how Skype works if your phoning from outside the UK, can you still access it for free???

If you are using your mobile abroad you cannot use any of you inclusive packge unless your on another "Three" network, Oz, Ireland, and Hong Kong of the top of my head but you will have to check on the website.

[ioscorpio]

If you are going to have the £5 Internet Add-on, = £14, you might as well go for the INQ1 at £15 per month as you get 75 minutes and unlimited texts and internet and unlimited 3 to 3 calls.

[Roger1]

Existing Three subscribers get 2,000 3-to-3 minutes per month with this deal.

However, I inserted my details (Martin's super £7.50 a month mobile broadband deal of a few months ago) and there was no change to the basket, nor was there for the 9POUNDEXTRA code. I didn't buy. At least, not yet.

EDIT: How can I get rid of the nonsense below? I didn't put it there!

[treb1971]

Having read the problems which people have experienced on this forum over having their contract recognised as being six months long (3CS insisting the contract is 18 months), I hope 3 have changed their systems/processes.

[waspsforever]

Originally Posted by girona002

Hi!

I work for 3 and this is EASILY the cheapest deal we've done (though not the best value)!!! I'm a bit surprised that no-one's mentioned the 300 free 3 to 3 minutes this includes too!!! The higher tariffs(starting at £15/mth) include 2300 mins 3 to 3 (advertised as unlimited).

Bear in mind the 3 website's operated by a third party company, whereas if you phone 3 on the 0800 number, everything's processed directly by 3. The only downside is that on the phone you don't get the accessory voucher!

Don't go near 3, they are the worst mobile phone company I have ever had dealings with.
Over two years ago my contract with them came to an end with me not owing them a penny and I went to another network.
I now have a debt collection agency chasing me for money they say I owe 3.
When I contact 3 they will/can not do anything as they say the details are now with the debt collection agency, who say they are with 3. A nightmare for me.

[alnsv1000s]

Three are ok when things are going well but when problems occur you have a fight on your hands.

Buy cheap get cheap service.

I would prefer a cashback deal with a dodgy company than going on Three.

When you eventually want to leave them they charge you 30 days notice from the date you port your number out, therefore gaining 1 months line rental for nothing.

[KTF]

Originally Posted by Sid Harper

I posted about this offer a few weeks ago when it was advertised as ending 31/12/08.

girona002 how does the 2000 3-3 minutes work if you buy two phones - is it every month or a one-off?

The 3 to 3 minutes are per contract - i.e. 2 phone on 2 contracts mean two lots of 3 to 3 minutes - and are reset every month along with your other allowance.

[KTF]

Originally Posted by carringtonshire

Does anyone know how Skype works if your phoning from outside the UK, can you still access it for free???

Skype works using the data service. If you use it in a 3 like home country whilst abroad then its free. If you are outside of of these countries then roaming charges apply.

Details here: http://www.three.co.uk/Help_Support/...me_Pay_Monthly

Edit: I have this phone on M&M 500 and have not had a problem with 3 or their customer service. My girlfriend has also been with them for many years and no problems either.

[Daddy Bear]

Originally Posted by cshowell

In short, avoid 3 at all costs. They have Indian call centres where the staff apparently do not understand English. They are rude and unhelpful and the staff in the shops are not much better. I would never, ever make the mistake of taking out a contract with them again. My blood still boils thinking about the last conversations I had with them, and if I trusted that my contract had actually been cancelled, I would be putting the complaint in writing. However, as I have no faith, the letter will wait until I am sure no more money has been taken from my account after my last payment is due at the end of the month.

Don't whatever you do, take out a contract with this company. You will only regret it if you have a problem with them, or want to cancel your contract.

Incidentally, if you are a long standing customer of any of the other major phone companies and threaten to leave, they will price match any of 3s offers, including this one.

Thanks for the info. Was considering the offer but this is a terrible track record of service. Will avoid.

[MSE Lawrence]

Originally Posted by happyly

tried the 9POUNDEXTRA code again and again, but still no voucher added in my basket. Anyone got it successfully?

Hiya,

Apparently while this note was being proofed, the code was inadvertently changed to 9POUNDEXTRA. It should have been 9POUNDXTRA (without the 'E'), so apologies for the confusion. The top post has now been updated.