3 is the cheapest, but is it best

moneyandmountains

The Customer Service is appalling. They messed up my Direct Debit when I moved bank, and only managed to sort it after I contacted Otelo.

Otelo gave me the number of 3's Executive Office. This appears to be another Customer Service department, but in the UK. They didn't seem to be surprised that I was complaining, but at least you could reason with them.

Otelo are very nice people. In the end I did not have to get them to investigate, as Three had responded by then. They even have both geographic and lo-call numbers:

Please find the Otelo information below:

Our phone number is:
0845 050 1614

Our regional phone number is:
01925 430 049

If anyone want the number for Three's Executive Office, then please PM me.

All in all, Three was a lot of hassle. They gave me a 50 quid goodwill credit on my bill. The only good thing about the experience was that I got TalkText 600 Free for 12 months, on a reclamation basis with e2save (CPW), with no tie in.

Jarlawuk

When flex comes out T-Mobile will be the cheapest and they generally tend to treat their customers quite well (well I guess they do as their customers always seem relunctant to leave when I try selling them onto another network )

Paulee

Hi Jarlawuk, interesting what you say about T-Mobile. I have 7months left on my T-Mobile contract, it is a good service generally but it's quite expensive. However, I have been with them for many years and I can remember when, as One2One, their service was just as dire as 3's has been. My kids are on 3 with a very low cost deal, it works very well and I have found their customer services to be fine, i.e. no worse than T-Mobile. However, I'm interested by your comment about T-Mobile becoming the cheapest when flex comes out. Forgive me if I've missed something, but what is "flex"?

whitty999

Do they do free sims??Please pm the link if you know one

Jarlawuk

Paulee wrote:

Hi Jarlawuk, interesting what you say about T-Mobile. I have 7months left on my T-Mobile contract, it is a good service generally but it's quite expensive. However, I have been with them for many years and I can remember when, as One2One, their service was just as dire as 3's has been. My kids are on 3 with a very low cost deal, it works very well and I have found their customer services to be fine, i.e. no worse than T-Mobile. However, I'm interested by your comment about T-Mobile becoming the cheapest when flex comes out. Forgive me if I've missed something, but what is "flex"?

http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/Dispatcher?menuid=orphan_flext_how_much

At this current moment in time I would agree with you that T-mobile is expensive, in fact every month when I saw the T-mobile rep arrive in my store I would bang on at him about how rubbish they are and how uncompetitive they were compared to other networks (£33 per month + £1.50 for itemised billing for just 200mins xnet vs £30 vodafone 200mins or £30 TT600 on 3g), then this month he blew me away heh.

Flex is a 18 month T-mobile deal that gives a set amount of credit for you to use as you wish each month. You are not tied to a set amount of minutes or text (which is the main thing that I like about the plan) and no matter which way you use it, it works out cheaper than 3g due to the pricing and credit. The above link is T-mobiles explanation

[Deleted User]

Can anyone comment on what the coverage is like in South Wales ?

Seen loads of negative comments from people but it seems to make a big difference what part of the conutry you use it in mainly.

Jarlawuk

paulfoel wrote:

Can anyone comment on what the coverage is like in South Wales ?

Seen loads of negative comments from people but it seems to make a big difference what part of the conutry you use it in mainly.

If you go to the 3g website you can check via their online coverage checker. With the other networks you have to phone them up to enquire.

Paulee

Hi Jarlawuk,
Thanks for the info re. flext. I've now had a look at the TMobile website and checked out this tarriff against my latest bill for TMob; not a lot of difference I'm afraid. If you take into consideration the really good offers that dealers are promoting, on the likes of 3 and even Orange, it doesn't compare favourably. As an example, a friend of mine has just taken out a 12 month contract on 3 with an LG U880 phone, 400 xnet mins and 250 texts + video, pictures etc. With the cashback this works out at £6/month - a great deal!

Jarlawuk

Paulee wrote:

Hi Jarlawuk,
Thanks for the info re. flext. I've now had a look at the TMobile website and checked out this tarriff against my latest bill for TMob; not a lot of difference I'm afraid. If you take into consideration the really good offers that dealers are promoting, on the likes of 3 and even Orange, it doesn't compare favourably. As an example, a friend of mine has just taken out a 12 month contract on 3 with an LG U880 phone, 400 xnet mins and 250 texts + video, pictures etc. With the cashback this works out at £6/month - a great deal!

Thats only because you're comparing a direct deal with a cashback deal. When the independents get their hands on flex and start offering their own deals based around those tariffs, then make your decision

Paulee

Good Point, thanks.