PAC code problems

AndyC85

I am having a nightmare trying to get my PAC from 3..

My vodafone sim was out of contract and they were offering me a poor deal to renew, but I prefer the network for signal in my area. So I purchased a new vodafone contract via quidco, getting myself a good deal:money:, although I needed to transfer my number across. After talking to vodafone, the only way to do this is for me to transfer the number to another network and then onto my new vodafone contract. I got my PAC from vodafone and put my number on a 3 pay as you go sim. The next day I requested a PAC from 3, that was 10 days ago. Everytime I call up they dont understand why the PAC request keeps failing and tell me to call back in 3 days time.. I feel like I'm getting nowhere, what can I do? Surely there comes a point where they are in breach of regulations in not being able to provide a PAC?

Here are the sequence of events:
25/05/2011 - Gave PAC code to 3
26/05/2011 - number transferred successfully and requested PAC from 3

Since then I have been calling up and getting no pac, with them unable to explain why not and just that they keep requesting it, but get an error.

Help!

OneADay

That is a pretty short period to allow number to move from one network to another and then ask for PAC code from new network same day as it got ported.

That said they are obliged to give you a PAC code within 48 hours - Ofcom rules. Phone them and ask for a new PAC code and explain that you know the regulations state the 48 hours to get the PAC code.

And I would be tempted to ask for complaints department at same time and make a formal complaint - if nothing else it will give them the run around.

Other than that did you top up the 3 sim card? - might be not topping up might be something to do with it.

Guys_Dad

OneADay wrote: »

Other than that did you top up the 3 sim card? - might be not topping up might be something to do with it.

That sounds likely,

Jon_01

Op have you put the sim in a phone and registered it on the network? If that hasn't been it's not live, if it's not live it can't have a pac issued for it.

AndyC85

Yeah I did think that it could be me not topping up, but am a bit reluctant to as everything I've read says requesting a PAC is free. Also the phone is registered and recieves calls and text completely fine. They apparently requested a PAC today (failed) and now have to wait 48 hours to request again, so I'll call back Thursday if I've heard nothing and ask if not topping up would be the problem.

AndyC85

Just to keep this updated I topped up with credit on Tuesday incase that might help and called again today. Still no PAC code, they have apparently emailed vodafone and asked for a screenshot to see what they can see their end to try and figure out the error. The guy on the phone has not seen this error in the 3 years he's worked there and described it as one in a thousand.
Lucky me I guess?

AndyC85

phoned up three again today, apparently they have recieved a reply from vodafone and the pac is stuck on their end will be released in the next 48 hours, then three can get me a pac code. Not totally convinced as every communication I've had so far has told me to wait for 48 hours and after nearly 3 weeks I still don't have a PAC.

AndyC85

Finally recieved a PAC yesterday after 21 days, and now number has ported over today. Hooray! Lots of calls and a bit of a wait, but I suppose problems do occur sometimes!

As an extra note when porting a number from a pay as you go sim, you will lose the credit you have when the number ports. I had about £12 on my sim so I signed up to betnow.co.uk which is a mobile betting service, you can bet your phone credit (bets of £3-£10 in most cases). After a few odds on favourite bets coming in on the horses I withdrew the winnings to my debit card. I wouldn't advocate doing this unless you have no better use for the credit, as gambling is always a risk, and the odds on offer were not great either. Might be of interest to people in my sittuation though!