MSE News: Three to raise mobile prices

grumbler

MarkBargain wrote: »

But if their policy is to increase prices with inflation, surely next year the new £10 contract would be increased in 2013.

It's possibly, not surely.

amiehall

JakeMM wrote: »

I also don't see how they can say they need to put their prices up in line with inflation, and then carry on charging the lower rate for new customers!

My renewal is a new one and I'm not affected by this increase. I think the idea would be that there can't have been any increase in costs since the contract started. I think to claim that they've had a 3.6% increase in their costs over a fortnight or whatever would be a tad on the ridiculous side.

I am curious though, surely every customer has a different start date on their contract where the price was agreed. If I'd started a contract in February, surely I should only be charged an increase relating to the increase from Feb onwards? I don't really understand how a blanket increase at one rate can be justified. Surely if I'd signed in Jan or Feb, this would be a material detriment as inflation for this period alone is lower than the 3.6% Only those with contracts that have run for over a year would have this level of inflation applicable.

JakeMM

grumbler wrote: »

You missed the point. Just imagine that this chat took place "before a certain date within the last few months"....


They don't carry on.

According to their website:

If you joined Three on or after 8th March 2012, or you're on a 1 Month SIM only, Business or Pay As You Go Plan, this price increase won't affect you

If that chat did take place before the 8th March, then the person would have a case, but as it was after the 8th of March, they don't, unless they also decide to put up the prices next year as well.

The iPad deals are indeed still being sold at £25 per month. Our oldest plan is now seeing a price increase to £25.88 whereas the plan we took out in April will remain at the £25 per month. Any new deals will also be only £25 per month.

grumbler

Yes, it would be far too harsh to increase the prices of the contracts taken very recently.
However, if they have not increased the prices for the new customers yet, nothing stops them from doing this and they are very likely to do this if they increase the prices for the old contracts.

Re the chat, it was just a good typical example of their tactic. ATM nobody at '3' knows if they will or will not increase the prices again, say, in a year. Hence, 'Asif' was not in a position to promise that the price will remain no more than £10.

purpletwo

aldredd wrote: »

Not being funny, but most contracts are max 24 months. If a business can't plan 24 months ahead and price its services accordingly, there is something very wrong with the business model. Afterall, they know they will be providing a device for x amount of time, and whilst you may not be able accurately forecast inflation, you can be pretty sure it will happen. That they increased prices by the inflation percentage says they didn't factor this in at all.

I'm disgusted that today I received an email from Three increasing my £15.00 a month charge to £15.52. I'm on a 2 year contract renewed a year ago. Now, but because of my health, I'm unable to work. I'm just about managing my monthly payment and 52p may seem insignificant but in my situation, every penny counts! Three say they can legally do this in terms and conditions but seems to me pretty bad practice. Certainly something wrong with the business model here. I thought I'd signed up to £15.00 a month for 2 years!

getupoffyourduff

Of course Price rise is only effective for customers already caught in 24 month net-for potential customers the price has actually lowered-I signed 24 months last June for iphone 4 upfront cost of £69 monthly of £35.00 all you can eat. Today their 24 month iphone deal for iphone 4s is now cheaper and less upfront.If they needed to raise prices why is it not applicable to their current deals?
I have been with various providers over the years and have never experienced a mid contract price hike!
It is very short sighted and is just not worth the ill feelings it creates amongst their customers. I had absolutely no reason to not renew my contract with 3 when the time comes- but now I do.

paulhiphop

:rotfl:...because as soon as my contract is up I'm dust from 3!
and sure I'm not the only one...

Absolute p*sstakers - Think they're so clever with their legal Ts and Cs Bullsh*t.

They might gain 3.6% profits now but over the next 24 months they're losing at least 10% of their customers - Lets see how clever they are then!

Stuart_W

paulhiphop wrote: »

:rotfl:...because as soon as my contract is up I'm dust from 3!
and sure I'm not the only one...

That is the conclusion lots of Orange customers on these boards came to when they increased contract prices.

That is also the conclusion lots of T-mobile customers on these boards came to.

And Vodafone customers.

I wonder where everyone is going to go.

KTF

Stuart_W wrote: »

I wonder where everyone is going to go.

To a SIM only deal that doesn't get the price increase

shafeeq

Hi

I took out a 12 months sim only deal on 1st March and my price has increased. So sim only deal does have price increase.

Shafeeq