3 is the cheapest, but is it best

tightrs

PINUK wrote: »

This was a major factor to why I recently decided to move to 3. Some of my family have moved over to Italy and I go to visit regularly. The roaming charges were costing me a fair bit each time. With 3, my girlfriend can call me from the UK and it wont cost me a penny. Calls to the UK are covered by my inclusive minutes. Should save me a few quid!

can i call home from majorca using my inclusive minutes whilst on holiday there? or am i mis reading this

MarkLS12

tightrs wrote: »

can i call home from majorca using my inclusive minutes whilst on holiday there? or am i mis reading this

You can only use inclusive minutes if there is a "three" network in that country.
Spain doesn't have a "three" network.

These countries do:
Australia, Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy & Sweden

typeractive

I'm with 3. At first I was a bit jubious about them to say the least. Anyway I took the plunge on a cashback offer.

This is the deal:

800mins (for first 3 months)
500txts (for first 3 months)
Payment - for the first 3 months I payed £17.50 a month

Using quidco - I got £35.

After the 3 months is up:
400mins
250txts
Payment - £35 a month.

Which is a bit steep. However I worked it out that this deal would be better to me than a LOT of the other deals available at the time (I only wanted 12 months - not 18)

I went with cashback, after hearing mixed reviews, but as I was happy with the deal I figured it would be a bonus if I got anything back. I sent off my first claim the other month - a week or so later in comes my check (£52)! Hopefully the same will work with the rest of my claims. Another two of them. I **think they are both for similar amounts - but not sure...the last one might be more?***

Anyway on that basis, this is how I worked out this deal:
A total of £176.50 for a total 6,000mins and 3,750txts. plus £5 worth of downloads each month. Effectively under £15 a month. On a 12 month contract that is very good.

Handset - SE K800i (refurb), which is a good phone.

The phone arrived with no headphones for the phone. I called to ask where they were, and was credited with £30. This was great as I have no desire to use the radio, and even if I did, I could get OEM headphones for much cheaper than £30!!

Customer Service

Well with my phone being a refurb I don't know if it is more prone to having problems but I got a software error with it. Called 3, put through to Indian call centre. They dealt with my problem really well. Very friendly and helpful. They arranged a courier to pick my phone up from work and deliver it 3 days later (but it came back in 2 days). I did lose quite a bit of data (old txts etc). Very impressed with the company.

This then happened again. Same process and chain of events. Managed to save most my stuff though. Again very happy, though if it happens again I will complain.

For the time I was without my phone they compensated me £5. (though I forgot to claim the second time - and then couldn't be bothered).

So all in all very happy. I am also pleased to hear that you can use a 3 mobile in Oz. Handy to know!

I'd recommend 3. I have no problems with coverage....in fact at times I have been the only person with coverage when many O2 people etc don't get it!

I had to do a lot of homework in finding out this deal. Off topic from 3. It takes a lot of discipline to find the correct phone and use it to your needs. I never go over my limits of use. If getting to the end of the month I make extra calls etc lol.

I hope when it comes to renewing my deal I can get even more of a saving! I bet they push for 18months though! I hate being tied that long to stuff like this!

Thanks!

billyb32_2

Thanks Martin!

New promotional Bluetooth headset when you sign on to 3 network... enter promotional code bt01070701 when completing your order.

For anyone looking to move to 3, I just got 250 x-net minutes and 50 text for £15 per month. I got a Sony Ericsson k800i (handset cost at £69) but if you go through a site like quidco, you get £55 back... so the total cost is £15 for a great handset and £15 per month... the best part is I don't need to claim any cashback to enjoy the savings (previously on £35 tariff)

An extra £5 per month (£20 tariff) will get you double the minutes (500) and text (100) plus quidco will pay you £60 back and handset cost is reduced to £50 on this plan... so all in all you get £10 back.

modeca

Three have been good for me.

A year ago I had credit history problems and couldn't find a network that would give me a monthly contract. Three were the only company that let me sign up - although I did have to pay a (refundable) £150 deposit.

Anyway I signed up with 3 via the Carphone Warehouse on one of their clearance deals (I did alot of research) and got a refurbished 6680, practically new, with a cashback offer. I can't remember the exact maths but 11 months on I have received 3 cahback cheques, approx £100 each, I also got the first 3 months half price + double minutes/texts (800min 500texts for £17.50) and then £35 per month afterwards.

I've worked out that over the year, my 12 month contract has worked out at around £5 per month! for 400 min 250 texts. This is without any haggling or negotiation. If you can bear to go through the cashback process you can get some crazy deals.

As for the network itself, I used to be on Orange PAYG and was always having problems with the signal dropping out but its never an issue now.
I live in Central London and travel around the UK quite alot - my girlfriend is on T-Mobile and my signal is always better than hers. Now Three have joined forces with Oranges' network I expect things to improve more. Customer service, based in India is polite and OK. I have a local Three Store and they have loads of useful too.

The only drawback with 3 is their range of phones. The other networks seem to be much quicker in introducing new models.

So to conclude, I've got a month left with 3 and even though I can't get the phone I want, I fully intend to stay with them and maybe even haggle a better deal!

tieg3

I've been on 3 for 10months now and have never had a problem with them, i live in swindon and have the nokia n73. my friend who recommended them to me has a n80 no probs there either.

gromituk

Can anyone tell me the best way to get Three to disconnect you on a particular date, i.e. the anniversary of taking out a 12-month contract, please? I can't find anything about disconenction on its website (surprise, surprise) and anything I tell customer services I don't get in writing.

Lady_K

You have to give them 30 days notice by phone so do it 30 days before the end of your contract

gromituk

I hoped there would be an easier way, i.e. give them at least 30 days and get an acknowledgment in writing.

mutley74

my three contract is almost up....i wish to keep similar deal of 500x-min and 100 text...just wondering if anyone has any suggestions of any other deal i can move to or any good deals for existing Three customers..???