3 enquiry: per-minute billing

ladybolan

Hi,

I realise there's a few threads on this but none seem to really apply to me... Basically I'm wondering if there is any way out my 3 18-month contract (I registered at the end of September 2007 and have been quoted some time in March 2009 as my end date). As you are probably aware they changed to per-minute billing - I admit I did receive a letter but amongst the overdue credit card notices and the student loan statements it kind of got ignored (!) as I didn't really think it would make a difference. So consequently I've missed the 30 day period to cancel and have, in their view, accepted the charges.

Over the last 2 months my bills have increased significantly, my free minutes last no time at all and the bill is around £20 more than usual which is severely denting the old finances, boo hoo.

Besides that I've just had so many problems with the network, poor coverage, dropping calls, no internet access, text messages not sending, poor customer service that I really would just like to ditch them and start again with someone else. To add to that my Nokia 6288 broke (guy in the 3 shop laughed when he saw it and said that a lot of those models end up packing in after a while) so I had to shell out £60 for a SE K530i (which is incidentally a better phone, but that's not the point!).

In all honesty I know I haven't got a legal leg to stand on as it was my own fault I didn't really think ahead, but I just didn't realise how much of a change per-minute billing would actually be. Anyway, any advice is appreciated, even if it just to tell me to suck it up and ride out the last 3 months! /rant

Old_Gold

I cannot understand how any company can break a short term contract and not be challenged. But the phone companies seem to get away with this.
Write first of all to their CEO and ask him if he wants unhappy customers and challenge their right to change the contract. If he knows you are prepared to make a fuss he may decide you are not worth keeping. If you dont get any joy then take it to the regulatory board or anyone who will listen. I would plead though that you did not understand how your bill would change.
3 will have to change their attitude soon as they no longer offer the cheapest deals and their customers will walk. They will be just left with the ones who are on a lifetime £5 per month.