3 is the cheapest, but is it best

PS200

Handset: Nokia N73

Most commonly used location: Croydon, Central London, Loughborough, Ipswich

Ease and reliability and connection:Pretty much 100 % except for some parts of train journeys that other networks seem to struggle with. I even get a usable internet connection for about 90% of the London-Ipswich trip.

I am posting this on my laptop using the phone as a bluetooth modem right now.I'm on my second phone in about three years with 3 and am very happy.

Any other problems:I am due an upgrade but not being offered a good enough deal to make me stay - if I have to give notice to get improved, I will leave anyway

Overall service and rating (out of 10):9/10
I have spoken to the call centre in India a few times and they have been very helpful and efficient - much better than the UK based people I spoke to when I was on Vodafone - they were rude and unhelpful.

squirrelcatcher

Further to the experiences of my wife being left without a phone for 3 weeks, after the alleged water damage (earlier entries refer):

I then spent 1/2 hour on the phone with them, as she was due an upgrade at beginning July, to get them to bring it forward a few weeks to fill the gap. After protracted negotiation, the 3 operative agreed that she could have a phone from 21st June.

My wife phoned 3 yesterday, to enquire about her phone only to be told that she would now have to wait another 6 days!:eek: She spoke to 2 separate managers, who both admitted that they could see the agreement to her having a phone on the 21st, but neither was "authorised" to issue one for another 6 days.

Firstly 3 are blatant liars for reneging on a deal they verbally agreed with me(yes, folks, you know what that is worth in this country).

Secondly, I wouldn't touch the company with a barge pole, as once you are locked in and, as has proven in her case, are stuffed if anything goes wrong.

Me? I pay a little more, but am still flexible with whoever I chose.

Needless to say, as soon as September arrives and the contract is up then I will pay whathever she needs extra to provide her with an honest service.

gromituk

I'd be interested to know which "honest service" this is...

squirrelcatcher

One that doesn't lie when they promise you a new phone on 21st Jun!

digitaltoast

My 18 months of Indian Call Centre Hell is coming to an end.
30 days and counting! So I called to cancel - it was a bit embarrassing saying to a quite helpful Indian guy exactly WHY I was leaving, but nonetheless I did.

Anyway, as a "very very special offer", he offered me, I think, 200 minutes and unlimited texts on a 12 month plan, or 500 minutes and 200 texts, both for £25/month.

Thing is, I don't want all the extra guff like downloads and video messages etc.

I'm wondering what the best way to move onto three pay would be? The phone still works, and he didn't want to offer me the N95 as he said the battery life was very bad, and that the 6500 was a much better phone.

So, what's the thing to do?

gromituk

You seem to be a little bit obsessed with "Indians", a bit like the Duke of Edinburgh. You even admit that the Indian call centre staff can be quite helpful, so why mention their nationality at all?

digitaltoast

gromituk wrote: »

You seem to be a little bit obsessed with "Indians", a bit like the Duke of Edinburgh.

I'm pretty sure he's not Indian.

gromituk wrote: »

You even admit that the Indian call centre staff can be quite helpful, so why mention their nationality at all?

ONE has been helpful.
The rest has been hell.
http://www.digitaltoast.co.uk/three-customer-services-phone-call-from-hell
http://www.digitaltoast.co.uk/twitter-sms-scam-text-costs-warning (includes recording of another phone call to three)

Especially the part where they tell me that I can repair a physically broken key by taking the SIM out and putting it back in....

As far as where it is based, I suggest you get a Three contract, call the "help" centre 5 times in a row, and then tell me if you can guess where it might be based!

bigchasbroon

Handset: Currently Sony ericson z610i but have had Nokia 6820 and various others

Most commonly used location: Fife

Ease and reliability and connection: Connection is great. In my home nobody gets 02 but i get good 3 signal. My work coleague is on tmobile and my signal is nearly always better than his he often loses signal.

Any other problems: No but I do have some advice if you come to the end of a contract with 3 wait until they phone you to offer an upgrade. Tell them what you want and see what they will do you can beat themdown and the guy in the 3 shop told me that he couldnt get near the deal that I have. I get 500mins 100texts and anew nokia 6280 on 12 months for £12.50 permonth thats basically 50% cheaper than a new customer

Overall service and rating (out of 10):8

gromituk

digitaltoast wrote: »

As far as where it is based, I suggest you get a Three contract, call the "help" centre 5 times in a row, and then tell me if you can guess where it might be based!

You miss my point.

jamiesd

just signed up for another 18 months with 3 on the 15 quid texter 60 mins 600 texts, to my shock i had a bill for 46 quid this month over 300 texts over my limit. could be right due to heavy texts.

It looks like this contract may not cater for me, is there any way i can swap contracts or am i locked in till the end.
I really have no idea about phone contracts and would appreciate some advice.

jamiesd