PAC Code Confusion - Early Termination

coupleuk

Can someone please clarify this for me...

We have a mobile account with 3 at £15/month. The minimum contract term ended back in June and we wanted to move to GiffGaff.

We got the PAC Code from 3 on 28/11 which was valid for 30 days.

We moved to GiffGaff on 06/12.

Now, 3 have sent us an "early termination" charge of £7.50 because we moved to GiffGaff before the 30 day notice period had ended.

It seems that you cant actually use the PAC Code until the day it actually expires as you face this "early termination" charge.

That just doesnt seem correct to me.

Is it ??

bengalknights

Its normal as soon as your pac code is used your charged either the bill for a month the bill for use upto that period or a cancellation charge depening on the relevant network.

Annie._2

Your 30 day notice of cancellation starts as soon as you use your PAC code and not on the day the PAC code expires. If you used the code on the expiry date, you would still have to pay for 30 days notice.

You would have asked 3 for a PAC code and not to cancel your contract.

grumbler

Ann_S wrote: »

Your 30 day notice of cancellation starts as soon as you use your PAC code and not on the day the PAC code expires. If you used the code on the expiry date, you would still have to pay for 30 days notice.

I think this is untrue. 30 days start when you request the PAC. If you port the number on the last day you don't pay anything extra.

coupleuk

OK - so what we're saying is that you really have to phone them twice - once to give them the 30 days notice and again to request the PAC code.

Or, you can be extremely lucky and port your number on the day the PAC code expires. If you miss that date, I believe you then have to wait a further 30 days before you can request another PAC code from them.

It wouldn't be that bad if you could actually speak to someone at 3 - each of my last calls has lasted at least 30 minutes before you can get thru to anyone.

Another question then........

The bill 3 have sent me states that they will be taking £15 plus the £7.50 (early termination fee) from my account on December 29th (or thereabouts).

However, Ive just checked my bank account and notice £15 went out of the account a few days ago. Im guessing that this is for my November bill.

If thats the case, why am I being charged for all of December (£15) plus this early termination charge?

Unfortunately, I can no longer access MyThree on their website so i cant see copies of bills etc - and I dont fancy using all my GiffGaff credit hanging on the phone again.

I would have thought the final bill should clearly explain what periods the various charges relate to - sadly not.

Something just doesn't add-up with this.

grumbler

coupleuk wrote: »

OK - so what we're saying is that you really have to phone them twice - once to give them the 30 days notice and again to request the PAC code.

If you request a PAC it works as a notice. However, if you get the PAC, but don't use it, the contract continues.

Or, you can be extremely lucky and port your number on the day the PAC code expires. If you miss that date, I believe you then have to wait a further 30 days before you can request another PAC code from them.

Don't test your luck. Give the PAC to the new network 4-5 days before it expires.

The bill 3 have sent me states that they will be taking £15 plus the £7.50 (early termination fee) from my account on December 29th (or thereabouts).

However, Ive just checked my bank account and notice £15 went out of the account a few days ago. Im guessing that this is for my November bill.

Normally you pay in advance for the next billing month.

If thats the case, why am I being charged for all of December (£15) plus this early termination charge?

If you requested the PAC 28/11 and ported 6/12 they charge you until 28/12.

Annie._2

grumbler wrote: »

I think this is untrue. 30 days start when you request the PAC. If you port the number on the last day you don't pay anything extra.

If you request the PAC and dont use it, the contract carries on as a month to month rolling contract.

The 30 days start from when and if the PAC is used.

grumbler

I believe that if you give a notice today, then request a PAC in a week, the 30 days notice period starts from today regardless. The PAC lasts for 30 days from the day it was requested.

E.g.
10/11 - notice given
20/11 - PAC requested

If ported before 10/12 you get charged until 10/12.
If ported 11/12 - 20/12 you get charged extra pro-rata.
If not ported before 20/12 the contract continues.

Annie._2

grumbler wrote: »

I believe that if you give a notice today, then request a PAC in a week, the 30 days notice period starts from today regardless. The PAC lasts for 30 days from the day it was requested.

E.g.
10/11 - notice given
20/11 - PAC requested

If ported before 10/12 you get charged until 10/12.
If ported before 11/12 - 20/12 you get charged extra pro-rata.
If not ported before 20/12 the contract continues.

If you gave notice to cancel the contract, the contract would be cancelled and, as there would no longer be an account with the network, you would be unable to request a PAC code and the number would be lost.

The PAC code serves as 30 days notice on the day it is used and providing the customer is out of contract, there wont be any early termination charges.

grumbler

Ann_S wrote: »

If you gave notice to cancel the contract, the contract would be cancelled

It will, but in 30 days unless you request a PAC later and don't use it. If you request a PAC later, the cancellation notice gets voided, but not 30 days period that they can charge you for according to the T&C.

The PAC code serves as 30 days notice on the day it is used and providing the customer is out of contract, there wont be any early termination charges.

As I said, I believe that if you gave a notice earlier, before requesting the PAC, 30 days notice period starts earlier.

coupleuk

grumbler wrote:

If you request a PAC it works as a notice.

That's what I mean - it is impossible to actually give 30 days notice AND use the PAC code within the 30 day deadline.

EDIT unless you want to be paying for two services but only have access to one.