Will 3 EVER upgrade a phone early?

loulou123

Hi all,

Im on a 18 month contract with 3, and can upgrade on the 4th November (contract ends in february 10)

I asked in store if there was any chance of upgrading a little earlier (like now!) but they said i had to contact 3. So i called them up and they basically said i could, but i would have to pay off the reminder of my contract (in effect buying myself out.) this would cost me over £300!! :mad: and i dont see why i should be penalised for the same amount as if i was cancelling contract altogether.

I dont want to end my contract with them, although i would if i could at this moment, i just want to upgrade to a new phone, as mine has gone completely wrong. It has already been back to them 4 times, then i was given a replacement (about 6 months ago) and now the new one is doing the same thing. Basically it turns itself on and off as it pleases, drains the life out of the battery in a matter of hours whether i use it or not, (needs fully charging at least once a day.) and when i use it gets SO hot it feels like im going to find it welded to my head! oh and its somehow broken 2 mobile chargers-poss by overheating.

They have offered to send it off for repair once again, but there seems little point in wasting mine and their time (and 3s money) in repairing a phone i only intend to keep for a few more weeks. Also last time it was going backwards and forwards to repair for weeks too. So im wondering if anyone has ever managed to upgrade a little early, without paying a ridicolous fee? Or for any advice.

Thank you.

fiendishlyclever

You could buy a PAYG 3G phone from their website and swap the SIM. (and remember to use Quidco too!)

jd87

So they're letting you upgrade 3 months early. That's pretty standard for all networks. If you're bored of your phone only take out a 12 month contract next time.

DarkConvict

If your phone is constantly going wrong through no fault of your own, you could try and get a replacement handset of the same model, but I'm not sure as you are quite a distance into the contract. I read a thread somewhere about Sales of Goods Act and replacements, but im not sure if it covers mobiles.

loulou123

Have considered buying a PAYG phone, but seems like such a waste of time for 8 weeks, as then i can upgrade anyway.

JD87-its not that im bored with my phone, its the fact that my phone doesnt work, that makes me want to change it! Think anyone would get "bored" of a phone that turns itself off in the middle of calls, and gets REALLY REALLY hot at the same time, oh and that needs charging at least once a day, even if i dont use it.

Darkconvict-i have already had one replacement phone, as 1st one had same faults. But 3 have a policy of, sending for repairs 3 times before a new handset is offered. And if i send it off this time, will only be the 2nd time with this handset.

Just seems ridoucolous that 3 are willing to send off my phone, pay to have it repaired, when in 8 weeks im not going to use it anymore. Doesnt make sense. Have also looked on net and there are literally 100s of reviews of my phone from people who have had the exact same problems on theirs, so Sony Ericcson and the phone companies must be aware of these faults.

Old_Gold

Have you tried contacting the CEO. If you have just been dealing with customer service then you might as well forget it. It simply is not in their scripts.
Point out that the phone is faulty and that all you are asking for is your update early to solve the problem. 3 should realise it is a win win situation.

[Deleted User]

loulou123 wrote: »

i dont see why i should be penalised for the same amount as if i was cancelling contract altogether.

Why not? They paid for a free phone for you, on the proviso that you would give them 18 monthly installments of line rental.

loulou123

billbennett wrote: »

Why not? They paid for a free phone for you, on the proviso that you would give them 18 monthly installments of line rental.

But surely im suposed to be paying them for a phone that i can actually use? Which sure if its having a good day i might be able to, but more often than not i cant. Also i only have one more bill to pay (Octobers) before they will upgrade me anyway, so i dont really see this will come into it, as im sure they wont lose very much money from the cost of the phone, in one month.

Old gold - is the CEO the person you contact by email? As i have emailed them and they are yet to reply.

Old_Gold

loulou123 wrote: »

But surely im suposed to be paying them for a phone that i can actually use? Which sure if its having a good day i might be able to, but more often than not i cant. Also i only have one more bill to pay (Octobers) before they will upgrade me anyway, so i dont really see this will come into it, as im sure they wont lose very much money from the cost of the phone, in one month.

Old gold - is the CEO the person you contact by email? As i have emailed them and they are yet to reply.

The CEO is the chief Executive Officer. I dont know the details of his contact email address but there will be one. Maybe someone reading this will give it to you . You will be able to find it by either trolling through the forum or asking 3 for it.
The email then should be directed to the CEO's office and they will take the matter more seriously. The last thing a CEO wants is to deal with the public about a complaint so his office will do as much normally to keep you away from him. Therefore the more fuss you make the more you are likely to get.
I am surprised you have not complained about the phone earlier but as you have not an early update seems to be a good remedy - and it is an easy one for them.
hope this helps.

RagingDragon

Which phone is it just out of interest? If its a sony ericsson I would suggest debranding the phone and updating it to the latest generic firmware as this improved my K850i a LOT.

loulou123

Its the sony ericsson W910i.

Old Gold-thank you, i will try to find out who to address the email to. I have complained about the phone many times, the 1st one i had was sent back for repair 3 times and then they gave me a replacement, the 2nd one was fine for a while, but then went wrong again, it was sent off for repair again in June and seemed to be ok until about 2 weeks ago, when it started playing up again! If they wont budge and i have to have it repaired again this will be the 5th time.