Query about leaving 3

Malc_44

Hi folks,
I have a query about what I need to do when cancelling my contract with 3 when it comes to the end of my 2 years. It ends in a month or so and I have been onto My 3 and it says that I am not eligible for an online upgrade until 16th June 2013. Well I am not wishing to sign up to a new contract as I am only a very light user and never get anywhere near my monthly allowance (500 mins, 2000 3 to 3 mins, 5000 texts and a gig of internet). So effectively I am throwing money away each month, so I was looking at Giffgaff as it seems to be more flexible to my needs and I can tune my usage every month, so I am not wasting money. A friend of mine recently bought a Nexus 4 and uses it with a Giffgaff sim and he loves it. This is a guy who is not tight, but is very meticulous when he is searching for the best value for money, so I am sure that if he thinks it is good then I am confident that he has done his homework.
So. Onto cancelling my contract with 3. As I said I have been on My 3 and it says that I cannot apply for an online upgrade until 16th June. Unfortunately I have mislaid the original letter that I got from 3 two years ago stating my new contract, start date and end date etc. I do seem to recall it being July two years ago which would tie in with the fact that I cannot apply for an upgrade until 16th June. Now correct me if I am wrong, but you pay for your months line rental up front every month?. If this is the case then if my contact will effectively end 16th July???? Does this mean that I will have to give notice 16th June in order to fulfil my months notice? I do know that I will be getting a call from 3 shortly asking me to sign up again, but I have crunched the numbers and for my actual monthly usage, I would be financially better off by buying the Nexus 4 16gig handset outright, £280 then going onto the Giffgaff £7.50 p/m tariff. Over 24 months that works out at £180 plus the handset at £280 which comes in at £460 divided by 24 months works out at £19.17 per month. Originally I was wanting an S3, but since I saw the Nexus 4 I am sold on that and I don't think 3 will be able to come close with an S3 anyway. Having read the horror stories on the forum about the tactics that 3 employ in order for you to stay with them, I will just ask for my pac code when the correct time to do it has come. I anticipate a bit of a battle.

Guys_Dad

First of all, get a computer with a carriage return so we can read your post!

But to your point. You ring 3 and ask them when your minimum period ends - or to use common language, when your contract ends (it doesn't actually end after the minimum period, as you may know).

One month before, you ring them and ask for your PAC code. Then the fun begins.

As I wrote elsewhere, the last verse of Hotel California comes into play

Last thing I remember, I was
Running for the door
I had to find the passage back
To the place I was before
"Relax, " said the night man,
"We are programmed to receive.
You can check-out any time you like,
But you can never leave! "

The CS guys at 3 are under instruction to do anything at all to keep customers. Saying you are transferring to another network they will lie, cheat, hang up on you, cry - you name it.

Simply be resolute. Tell them you have a new job, have been given a company mobile and need to transfer your number to that mobile. You will need to talk over them, refuse all their offers, keep repeating that you require your PAC code. Make sure you get the CS giy's name - see next para.

Also, if you have an Android, get a recording app and record the conversation and, after a few minutes of their obfuscating, tell them you are recording the call and will make a formal complaint if the CS guy wastes any more of your time.

Do let us know how you get on and good luck.

d123

Another good reason they have no answer to is to say you are going abroad for work, and will only be spending 1 week every 4 months in the UK so are wanting to port onto a PAYG sim to retain the number and use for those singular weeks.

They have no deal to suit that use.

Buzby

If you don't need or want your old number, do not complicate things asking for a PAC as this can add complication to an otherwise easy closure.

Give a closure date that syncs with your invoice date, and this will save any part-month charges and the possible failure of being correctly refunded your overpayment.

Only then cancel your DD permanently.

d123

Buzby wrote: »

If you don't need or want your old number, do not complicate things asking for a PAC as this can add complication to an otherwise easy closure.

I have exactly the opposite view, the only way to know an account is definitely closed is by porting the number out. When it goes live on the new sim (even if only a free PAYG sim never to be used) you know for definite that the old line is dead and disconnected.

No chance for a misunderstanding, no chance for retention calls that could be misunderstood and the termination voided, once that port happens, you are 100% gone.

Malc_44

Thanks for your help fellas. Guys Dad, I don't understand what you mean by a computer with a carriage return? I currently have a Galaxy Ace, so I will look for a suitable recording app and download it.
Cheers

d123

Malc_44 wrote: »

Thanks for your help fellas. Guys Dad, I don't understand what you mean by a computer with a carriage return?
Cheers

He means hit return every now and then as you type, and leave open lines to make your block of text into paragraphs.

One large block is very difficult to read.

Buzby

d123 wrote: »

I have exactly the opposite view, the only way to know an account is definitely closed is by porting the number out. When it goes live on the new sim (even if only a free PAYG sim never to be used) you know for definite that the old line is dead and disconnected.

No chance for a misunderstanding, no chance for retention calls that could be misunderstood and the termination voided, once that port happens, you are 100% gone.

I've tried, but I cannot see how you reach your conclusion, especially as a failed port means the contract isn't closed due to the network not wanting you to 'lose your number'. You then have to sit out another 30 days.

It manners not a jot if a new SIM activation somehow proves something has happened! You provide the 30 days notice, give it in writing (by Recorded Delivery) and then confirm by phone you have done this.

No retention calls to put up with no confusion and not expecting a PAC = a termination. It is only a request, and not binding.

Malc_44

Hey d123. I didn't know. Thanks for that....

d123

Buzby wrote: »

I've tried, but I cannot see how you reach your conclusion, especially as a failed port means the contract isn't closed due to the network not wanting you to 'lose your number'. You then have to sit out another 30 days.
.

I don't understand your "lost your number" comment, once a port is initiated it will process, there is no additional 30 day waitif it needs resubmitting or manual intervention.

Failed ports are very rare, and generally on manual intervention any fault is rectified.

I've tried to find the OFCOM document (and failed, I'm on my phone and searching is a little more difficult), but at last consultation the published port success rate within 48 hours of application was around 99.9%.

Far better odds than hoping the CS agent in India gets it right....

Guys_Dad

Buzby wrote: »

I've tried, but I cannot see how you reach your conclusion, especially as a failed port means the contract isn't closed due to the network not wanting you to 'lose your number'. You then have to sit out another 30 days.

It manners not a jot if a new SIM activation somehow proves something has happened! You provide the 30 days notice, give it in writing (by Recorded Delivery) and then confirm by phone you have done this.

No retention calls to put up with no confusion and not expecting a PAC = a termination. It is only a request, and not binding.

The point is if you have transferred your number, then there is no way the old network can have any excuse to charge you on the old contract.

There have been a good few posts on here where MSE members say they have given instruction to close their contract, only to find, sometimes years later, that it didn't close.

I always PAC out and put the old number either on my new main number or a PAYG sim.

If OP puts it on an ORANGE PAYG, then it can be used for Orange Wednesdays.