Struggling with credit, advice needed

m4rc

I think the condescending tones are only being seen that way because you don't want to hear what you are being advised, and the question is, trying to be nice here, but a little naive.

If it helps I was in the same boat, I moved to the middle of nowhere with 2 contracts on O2 and one on Three, it a signal for miles and they just said 'what do you want us to do about it'. They won't invest hundreds of thousands in technology to keep me happy of course, and I signed a contract, so it's my problem. It would have been nice if they had helped, but all they could do was take the contract down a level. As it happened on O2 the contracts were on their Refresh tariff so I could pay off the balance of the handsets and close the contracts, but not with Three.

You could see if another provider will buy you out of your contract, you won't get the best deal but it will be cheaper than having two contracts - I'm assuming you will want a new contract with someone else.

You could keep asking really really nicely if there is anything they can do like make your contract really cheap, but if you had a contract which included a phone you have basically had a form of credit from them - they gave you a handset and you are paying it off by staying with them and paying monthly. They won't just let that go. Are they offering you a chance to buy yourself out of the contract? Or is £300 just what you haven't paid them? If they will let you settle you could see if the handset has any value - lots of companies will buy your handset - and then you could use that to pay off the contract and take out a new contract with another provider.

Not a lot more you can do really, if it's any consolation 'Which?' have run a few reports on this and basically say there is nothing you can do, the contracts are sound and you are obliged to see out he contract u less you can get some kind of early termination deal.

I would try being really nice, but if you go in to the negotiation thinking you have the right to just walk away they are not going to budge an inch. I would think they have a little bit of flexibility but hey certainly won't be losing money on a handset.

Good luck

m4rc

MEM62 wrote: »

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Just to add to your comments about the network being the same as before jodyjones1982 moved, even if it had deteriorated it's virtually impossible to get a provider to cancel a contract. There are numerous reports of people having to stand in their garden to make a call as the signal is getting worse, it's very hard to get any real action, especially in a rural area. In a built up area they could risk losing many customers so would prioritise, although even then if it needs massive investment in new technology a fix can take years.

I've been asking BT if they would like to give their local broadband network a bump round here as on a good day I'm lucky to get half a Meg, often I can't get any web pages to load for hours at a time. They really don't care, and there isn't the customer base to start making demands sadly.

jodyjones1982

m4rc wrote: »

I think the condescending tones are only being seen that way because you don't want to hear what you are being advised, and the question is, trying to be nice here, but a little naive.

If it helps I was in the same boat, I moved to the middle of nowhere with 2 contracts on O2 and one on Three, it a signal for miles and they just said 'what do you want us to do about it'. They won't invest hundreds of thousands in technology to keep me happy of course, and I signed a contract, so it's my problem. It would have been nice if they had helped, but all they could do was take the contract down a level. As it happened on O2 the contracts were on their Refresh tariff so I could pay off the balance of the handsets and close the contracts, but not with Three.

You could see if another provider will buy you out of your contract, you won't get the best deal but it will be cheaper than having two contracts - I'm assuming you will want a new contract with someone else.

You could keep asking really really nicely if there is anything they can do like make your contract really cheap, but if you had a contract which included a phone you have basically had a form of credit from them - they gave you a handset and you are paying it off by staying with them and paying monthly. They won't just let that go. Are they offering you a chance to buy yourself out of the contract? Or is £300 just what you haven't paid them? If they will let you settle you could see if the handset has any value - lots of companies will buy your handset - and then you could use that to pay off the contract and take out a new contract with another provider.

Not a lot more you can do really, if it's any consolation 'Which?' have run a few reports on this and basically say there is nothing you can do, the contracts are sound and you are obliged to see out he contract u less you can get some kind of early termination deal.

I would try being really nice, but if you go in to the negotiation thinking you have the right to just walk away they are not going to budge an inch. I would think they have a little bit of flexibility but hey certainly won't be losing money on a handset.

Good luck

Hi m4rc,


Your reply is very much appreciated.

The reason it seemed condescending to me is because I am new to this kind of thing and was hoping for something helpful - Your response, for example, is extremely helpful. It appeared to me that I am expected to "know better" - I don't, that's why I'm here, although I do appreciate all comments.


I'll be speaking to T-Mobile in depth about the issue over the coming week to hopefully identify a swift solution. I am more than happy to return the handset, or even pay reasonable value for it, it just grates on me that I'll have to pay for the airtime too.


Definitely a lesson learned here!!!

Richey_

Hi, I am no expert in the financial department so will stay well away from that!

I know it's more money but TMobile/EE do a signal booster that plugs in to your broadband and would solve your issues technologically speaking...

EE. co. uk/help/mobile-and-home-connections/checking-and-improving-your-network-coverage/signal-box/about-signal-box

Sorry about spaces it will not let me post links