Latest Three retention deal

funkyparott

I made my annual phone call requesting my PUK code and was asked what it would take to keep me.

I stated I did not want a so called rip off 'upgrade' phone, rather the best deal I could have on my current tariff and current handset which is :-

500 mins any network / any time
100 texts

Normal price is £30 a month.

I have been offered a 12 month contract of which 9 months would be completely free.

In essence, £7.50 a month for the above contract. I have purchased a new battery for my Nokia 6280 and everything is fine.

I honestly think the whole 'upgrade hanset' marketing ploy is one of the biggest cons going. I have been told the money has been credited to my account already. No sending coupons off to claim cashback here.

I probably could have pushed them a little harder. Good luck if you try. And remember, do you really need a new handset? What is your new handset going to offer you over your existing one?

If three can discount this much on their tariffs it just shows how much money they are making. I don't believe for one minute they do this out of the kindness of their hearts. My other options included having various so called 'free phones' on an 18 month contract, but having to pay 9 months full wack! (30 X 9 months = you repaying for supposedly free phone)



FP

elljay20

a warrenty???

funkyparott

They would have you believe that you are only covered for 12 months.

Do you think is is reasonable that a phone that cost new £300 should only last 12 months?

I would argue to the contrary. It may well not be in your waranty period, however you still are protected by consumer legislation after 12 months.

I don't doubt they would try to tell you other wise.

FL

elljay20

if i sent a handset away that was out of warrenty for repair it would come back unrepaired.

elljay20

funkyparott wrote:

They would have you believe that you are only covered for 12 months.

Do you think is is reasonable that a phone that cost new £300 should only last 12 months?

I would argue to the contrary. It may well not be in your waranty period, however you still are protected by consumer legislation after 12 months.

I don't doubt they would try to tell you other wise.

FL

how did it cost you £300. most phones are given to you free of charge when you rent a line?

funkyparott

Ah, but this is my point exactly. Do you really think that you are being given a phone for 'free'. What do you think your monthly charge goes towards? The truth is, the monthly rental is really a way to claw back some of the outlay the phone cost.

Most new handsets these days cost in the region of 200 - 300 pounds. Why would a phone company let you have that for free? No doubt they get a discount from bulk purchases, however there is still a cost attached.

An element of the phone is definatley clawed back through subscription charges.

elljay20

sorry but not in all cases. the networks pay me a commission to sell a line and tarriff to the customer. i pay for the handset and give it away for free to the customer. so i loose the cost of the handset. not trying to pick an argument but with phones i'm not sure how the consumer legislation works. it's difficult to get answers when i've looked into it before so it is quite a gray area for me.

funkyparott

elljay20 wrote:

if i sent a handset away that was out of warrenty for repair it would come back unrepaired.

It probably would if you sent it back asking for a repair under warrenty. However, if you demanded action under the sales of goods act I doubt they would be so hasty.

But hey, why not just an 'upgrade' phone; we can't reasonably expect a high tech handheld piece of equipment to last longer than 12 months can we. I mean, if your Applie Ipod was to break after 12 months you would just go out and buy a new one wouldn't you !

Make the networks richer!

funkyparott

elljay20 wrote:

sorry but not in all cases. the networks pay me a commission to sell a line and tarriff to the customer. i pay for the handset and give it away for free to the customer. so i loose the cost of the handset. not trying to pick an argument but with phones i'm not sure how the consumer legislation works. it's difficult to get answers when i've looked into it before so it is quite a gray area for me.

In that case I would argue that legally it is a 'provision of the contract' and as such still forms part of it.

I don't think it would take much to convince a district judge. I too am not trying to start an arguement for the sake of it; I just think we are getting taken for a ride a little here.

Just look at how much three just let me have a 12 month contract for with no 'upgrade'. I smell something fishy here (not just aimed at three btw).

FP

elljay20

can't comment on that as you went direct, so i guess you are saving them the cost of the handset.

elljay20

just been reading this http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/c_mobile_phones.pdf

how would a consumer after having a phone for a year prove that it was faulty when they bought it?