Help me help my dad.. 3 network related..

Despin_2

Hey there.

I was around at my parents house today and to my horror found out that some time last year my dad let my younger brother get a mobile phone (k800i on 3 network) in his name... They got some horrific contract paying like 42 quid (50 with VAT) a month on an 18 month video & talk & text 1100 contract. I know little about this stuff and they know less...

Anyway.. I find out that they've had this contract for 7-8 months.. and that my brother LOST the phone about 3-4 months ago.. They have no insurance and for the last few months have just been paying 50 quid a month for nothing. They got a new sim card but it's sitting on a shelf no being used..

Anyway.. I contacted 3 today to see what they could do.. if there was any way they could cancel the contract(knew that wasnt gonna happen) or if there was any way we could lower the contract to a low low tariff or just pay the !!!!!! off cheap now as they can check the phone/contact hasn't been used for months now..

They said if would cost 461 quid to end the contract...

Now I know they dont have to do anything. they signed and contract and that was that. But what they offered was that in the 9th month on the contract (next month) they will low the tariff to 25 quid a month for 200 minutes and 100 text. That there would be a 25 quid charge for the change of tariff and that he would have to rise it out for another 9 months until the contract is up. She said she could offer his a refurbished phone (didnt say what make) for £45 so he could use the 200 minutes still..

Im just wondering.. is that the absolute best he can get out of this now? To be honest I think they would rather just be rid of the contract completely instead of going on for another 9 months.. But if they HAVE to then I guess they might as well be using those 200 minutes a months..

What do you guys think? Is there any better outcome to this? It's all very stupid and could have been fixed had they read the paperwork they signed and thought things through a bit more.. but what's done is done..

Any help or advice would be great.

Cheers.

Despin out.

JAYMARSH2005

It is usual for them to say this, you can lower the tariff after half the contract term (9 months) has expired, it may be worth giving them a call around the time the 9 months is up, somebody may lower it free of charge, there will be no way of getting out of the contract free of charge. You may as well use the sim card for the rest of the contract but the £45 they have quoted for a refurbished phone is a bit steep, if you can find out what phone it will be then before you accept it see what price you can sell it for on ebay. If it is just a basic phone then decline the offer of the phone and pick a cheap one up on ebay. You will no doubt get it cheaper than the £45 they are saying. I'm sorry I cant help you further.

Goldust

Apparently it is common practice now for Three to charge to downgrade a tariff so I don't think you will get out of paying the £25. It has caused loads of trouble as a lot of retailers sold phones on high contracts with the suggestion of downgrading for free but they have now introduced the charge.

Had a quick look on Ebay and the prices for a used phone are round about what they have quoted you - try looking in some of the retailers like Argos and buy a pay as you go Three mobile and put your sim card in it so that you can use up the remainder of the contract.

Hope this helps.