I am a soldier being sent to Afghanistan, any way I can cancel/suspend my 3 contract?

thedoctor1910

I have downgraded my contract as far as it can go to £25 a month, but all my family and friends have phones so I do not want to just throw money down the drain!
The customer service (which was based abroad) have been very uncooperative. Has any one got any advice? Thanks.

uk_messer

Not being funny but if you've signed up a contract, and I'm presuming it's still within the contract period, then you will have to honour it. Having to go abroad or being a soldier makes no difference, AFAIK.

You could always give the phone to someone else to use until the contract finishes.

thedoctor1910

Do you work for 3 customer service by chance? Thanks for stating the facts. That wasn't a very helpful reply now was it?

alanclose

I think UK messer was just stating what most people would think. I am not sure if there is special consideration for soldiers posted abroad.

The 2 obvious choices are to phone 3 and ask if you can suspend your contract or sell it on to someone else.

Good Luck in Afghanistan, I hope you stay safe and don't have to kill anyone

Li0nhead

Don't know the ins and outs of phone contracts but you could try cutting your losses by selling to a mate i.e. say the line rentals £15, selling him it for £13 plus calls on an informal arrangement. But it could have to be a good mate who you know would not screw you over.

Not much help i know just a suggestion.

ash333

Unfortunately you are contracted to 3 for the full time of the contract. Being a soldier being sent abroad makes no differnce. You signed to pay them £x per month, you now have to.

uk_messer

thedoctor1910 wrote: »

Do you work for 3 customer service by chance? Thanks for stating the facts. That wasn't a very helpful reply now was it?

I tried to be civil about it. What else did you want if not the facts?

HugoSP

I suspec if we were in the USA corporations would be more likely to be able to work around it as service personnel (quite rightly IMO) are seen as national heros all the time.

Unfortunately it is not quite the same in the UK. However there would be no harm done in contacting 3 by letter or phone and putting the question to them.

Their response is likely to be that your situation is not of their making and furthermore, being a member of the armed forces, you were aware that you could be posted overseas at a moments notice. Hence no dice.

I wish you all the best in Afganastan and hope you and all your mates make it back to the UK safely.

Errata

Of course you don't want to waste money, who would!

Try and get a relly or mate to take it over, ask around - they pay you every month and then you can pay your contract. Or have a word with whichever Rupert is responsible for the welfare of your troop and see if he/she can suggest anything.
Or.........try and find the uk number of your supplier and ring and explain your situation. Try the hearts and flowers stuff and you just might get lucky. If they don't sound very sympathetic ask them who your next of kin should speak to when you get your head shot off your shoulders and can't pay.

Good luck, best wishes, stay safe. SOME of us appreciate what you're doing in OUR name.

And to everyone else - read Kipling's poem Tommy !

Woby_Tide

AFAIK most networks do allow you to suspend contracts in situations like this, they won't normally foec you to pay it up. On the face of it teh companies know how many forces/occupations that may have people leaving the country for unexpected amounts of time. I think you've just been unlucky with the call centres, is there any benefit in going to your local 3 store and speaking to them, maybe get a UK contact number.

Best of luck out there.

uk_messer

Errata wrote: »

Of course you don't want to waste money, who would!
Good luck, best wishes, stay safe. SOME of us appreciate what you're doing in OUR name.

And to everyone else - read Kipling's poem Tommy !

What are you trying to imply here?

Oh...and I prefer to read facts rather than poems.