Three Mobile contract - how to reduce!?

Princess_nola1

Hi All,

I currently have an iPhone 4 on a 24 month contract (i think) that I'm 18-ish months into, with Three mobile; I have used them for years. I pay £35-ish a month for unlimited data, texts and minutes.

I'm pretty sure I don't use a lot of minutes, at all. Although texts and data are pretty important to me.

I'm due an online upgrade at the end of August, although I'm not bothered about changing the handset. It's the cost of the contract that is bothering me.

As I've said in my DFW diary (DFW Mummy & family), we're in the house sale/buying process and we need to find a few £k to help pay the fees. I don't want to take any out of savings if i can help it!!

So, does anyone know what I'm entitled to? Can i just ring them up and explain I want to pay less? Will they let me? Or will I just be wasting my time/breath?

Many Thanks in advance,

Nola x:o

KTF

Retentions will only offer you the deals that are available on the 3 website so if you look and there is one that you like then ask to be switched to it - such as the SIM only ones if you want to retain your current phone. Simple as that.

In order to get put through to the second level retentions team and get offered a deal that isnt on their site (normally 500mins, 500txt, 500mb for around £8 a month and a phone you put in the bin or sell on) you need to ask for your PAC code which shows that you are serious about leaving.

Getting your PAC can take some effort to get out of the first level team so be prepared to ask for it again and again and again. Don't bother telling them why you are leaving or what deal you want as it will just prolong the agony

d123

KTF wrote: »

Retentions will only offer you the deals that are available on the 3 website so if you look and there is one that you like then ask to be switched to it - such as the SIM only ones if you want to retain your current phone. Simple as that.

In order to get put through to the second level retentions team and get offered a deal that isnt on their site (normally 500mins, 500txt, 500mb for around £8 a month and a phone you put in the bin or sell on) you need to ask for your PAC code which shows that you are serious about leaving.

Getting your PAC can take some effort to get out of the first level team so be prepared to ask for it again and again and again. Don't bother telling them why you are leaving or what deal you want as it will just prolong the agony

Good advice, but only really relevant when he has completed his 24 months, not at month 18.

KTF

Good point. I believe you can 'upgrade' 3 months before the end but before that you can only change plan upwards not downwards.

Being offered an online upgrade suggests they are coming into the 3 month window though so should be able to change to any plan.

If you want to cancel completely then you can also do this. The cost is:

(Monthly payment x number of months remaining) - 10%

So would be £35 x 6 = £210 - £21 = £189

For really low use you might consider switching to the 3-2-1 PAYG plan. The potential savings by switching to this can be calculated from your past bills.

Princess_nola1

Thanks to both of you - so it's worth my call? Can they actually do me anything?

KTF

Its worth calling up just to clarify the dates when your contract ends, when you can change the plan you are on, etc.

The answers will determine your options.

Idiophreak

My Mrs' £35/month contract comes to an end at the end of this month - they offered her £9.90/month for something like 500mins/1gb/5000 texts if she kept her current handset, which seemed like a good deal.

KTF

Thats the Essential Internet SIM 600 12 months plan available on the link below.

First level retentions will only offer whats available on their website but no doubt they said it was a 'special' offer or some such.

http://store.three.co.uk/view/searchTariff?deviceType=SIM_ONLY&priceplan=PAY_MONTHLY

Idiophreak

KTF wrote: »

First level retentions will only offer whats available on their website but no doubt they said it was a 'special' offer or some such.

http://store.three.co.uk/view/searchTariff?deviceType=SIM_ONLY&priceplan=PAY_MONTHLY

Don't know about that. I think she said "how much will it cost me to keep my handset", they told her and she said "OK, sounds good". What it lacks in thriftiness, it makes up for in efficiency