3 network - what a nightmare, help!

emma-mark

Hi all

I finished my contract with 3 mobile back in July but cancelled two of the direct debit payments they had withdrawn from my account, one for £105 and another for £70. I called the network and asked them to send me an itemised bill for these bills as I thought they related to calls i had received when in Dubai for a week in May. They then only sent me a bill saying I owe £197, no supporting documentation, nothing.

I have called them and they are so unhelpful, they just keep telling me that the network in Dubai set the charges so I have to pay them. I had no choice in using another network and only made one call, lasting about 3 minutes but the rest of the charges they say relate to incoming calls (from family who live in various countries) and totalled about £30 and then the rest was internet usage but I only used the internet on the first night I was in Dubai so I dont see how it can suddenly total £197 - i didnt go over my limit of calls or texts when in the UK and monthly rental was only £25.

Can I just ask what you guys would do, would you refuse to pay it or just argue with them to reduce the costs or simply pay it just to get rid of them???

Any help would be great. Thanks

Em

DarkConvict

Cancelling / recalling direct debits is not the way to go, unless you cannot afford it, i.e. you don't have £200 in savings. Was told this by a solicitor, called limiting your liability. But i would get a itemised bill before doing this.

With regards to incoming calls, i guess you are already aware you pay a large part of these calls, not the person dialling you.

As with to internet usage, i thought the network set the rates not the other network (see document below), as it would be classed as roaming data (internet). It does get very expensive thou.
http://www.three.co.uk/_standalone/Link_Document?content_aid=1214305748074
You would be on rest of the world, at £6 per MB.

Even if they insist on it, you might be able to get them to lower the price by means of a goodwill payment, before settling the account with them. Vodafone on a £250 dispute offered me £50.

3 have dreadful customer services, you aren't alone. You should be able to get an itemised bill for this, im sure they legally need to know what makes up the final charge. They might charge you for a paper bill to be sent out.
if you have your phone, see how far its log files go back. Since its been a few months i doubt you will still have a decent log file on your phone detailing incoming, outgoing and data usage.