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3 lifetime contract help

Gazzanoo
Gazzanoo Posts: 33 Forumite
Hi,
i wonder if anybody can help me, my mother bought my granddaughter a 3 internet dongle on a 2 year deal which included a free HP notebook. She paid for 2 years but they kept taking the money. She paid an extra 3 months which totalled £90. She instructed the bank to cancel th DD. She recieved a bill from 3 saying that she was still liable to pay as she had signed upto a lifetime contract. The dongle has hardly been used and is no longer needed. My mothers contract signed in PC world states 2 years for payment and my mother has never had any other corresponence from 3 regarding a lifetime contract.
She has asked for a copy of the contract she has supposedly agreed to but has yet to recieve it and now they are threatening court action. The only contact she has had with 3 besides the demand is a call centre where they speak very poor english and as my mother uses an earing aid she has problems understanding them so they hang up on her.
Any advice would be helpful.
Thanks:mad:

Comments

  • samrw18
    samrw18 Posts: 33 Forumite
    Hi,

    You mention that the contract for the netbook was 24 months. Were you/ was she aware that this is just a minimum term, and that three require 30 days notice to cancel the contract.

    My advice would be for her to ring three and inform them that she wishes to cancel, this would be her 30 days notice, in effect. In regards to the payments already made, you probably not be able to get this back. Three have provided her with the internet usage, it is her choice whether she uses this or not.

    Sam
  • grumbler
    grumbler Posts: 58,629 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Gazzanoo wrote: »
    i wonder if anybody can help me, my mother bought my granddaughter a 3 internet dongle on a 2 year deal which included a free HP notebook. She paid for 2 years but they kept taking the money. She paid an extra 3 months which totalled £90. She instructed the bank to cancel th DD. She recieved a bill from 3 saying that she was still liable to pay as she had signed upto a lifetime contract. The dongle has hardly been used and is no longer needed.
    All contracts are 'lifetime' and require a cancellation notice to get cancelled. 2 years was the minimum term.

    The T&C that you will receive and are available online clearly say this.

    Cancelling the DD stops payments, but doesn't cancel the contract.
    My mothers contract signed in PC world states 2 years for payment
    Can you quote what exactly it says?
  • Gazzanoo
    Gazzanoo Posts: 33 Forumite
    Sorry the netbook was free for signing upto 3 on a two year contract, which is now up and not been renewed. 3 have said she is tied into the contract for life.
  • grumbler
    grumbler Posts: 58,629 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 16 March 2012 at 3:08PM
    Gazzanoo wrote: »
    3 have said she is tied into the contract for life.
    This was just some misunderstanding on her side. She is not 'tied', but the contract goes on until she cancels it.
  • Gazzanoo
    Gazzanoo Posts: 33 Forumite
    Thanks for the help and yes i do realise that most call centre staff speak very good english. And as i live 100 miles away from my mother it would be very difficult for me to help her on the phone. Thanks again for all the help..
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