3 Contract Mis-sold

PHTC

I am new to this forum and would appreciate any help with regards to my contract with 3.

My current phones (Sony Ericson k600i) battery life is now a day even without making calls etc not to mention it is old, bulky etc and so decided to call 3 to see if I could get an upgrade (Like the look of the new LG U990). I am on an 18 month contract and was told that I cannot upgrade until 3 months before the end of the contract length, the contract was taken in February this year so I have a long time to wait however my argument is that I was actually mis-sold a contract as the next section goes on to explain and am very annoyed with the customer service (when I could understand what they were saying) who offerred me no options even when threatening to reduce my call plan (when I can) and simply go elsewhere.

I had a Nokia 6280 when they first came out and quickly found out that the phone had many many problems, turning itself off all the time when battery power wasnt an issue so was releived when i received a call from 3 offering to cancel my contract and start a new 18 month contract with a new phone. I was releived to be getting a different phone and so took the offer however this is when the problems start.

1. The person on the phone told me that my contract would be cancelled (no action required from me). This was wrong as I quickly learned I was being charged for 2 phones.

2. The deal included 1/2 price tariff for 6 months which I could then reduce to a lower tariff after 6 months which I only recently found out was not true as I will have to wait until 12 months have passed until I can change tariff and then only by incrementing one step at a time otherwise I incur an admin charge (which again I was not told about).

3. Provided I was happy with the phone I would be less annoyed but the phone I received was a Sony Ericson k600i which is quite an old phone (even when I received it) and so find it hard to justify spending £35 per month on a phone with a VERY low battery life (what influenced me to call up customer services in the first place) when for the same money I could have a much much better more modern phone.

I believe my next step is to visit a 3 store and if that fails send a letter of complaint about the service received.

Sorry for the long explanation, its a very long story and welcome any advice received.

Thanks

villeroy1502

Oh it is bringing back so many bad memories of '3'.

I was mis sold a phone, I wanted data transfer ie to use it as a connection to the internet for my laptop. "Yes sir no problem even on pay as you go". - boulderdash!!!!!!!!

After several calls to '3', I had threatened them with the OFT, Trading standards ("product not fit for purpose of purchase") & OFCOM.

Now with 16 stone of irrate scouser giving it the large in your shop, what are you going to do? :rotfl:

The bottom line is I have no idea whether I could do any of those things, but I fronted it out & won.

PS did the same tact with HSBC over my bank charges & that worked as well :j

sco0ter

Your only problem here might be the length of time you have already had the contract. The other thing is , Did they send you the contract in writing. If they did and you just didnt read it then you are mostly to blame for your situation as with most things there is generally a 14 day cooling off period when you could have cancelled the contract.

Therefore I agree with the other poster. Your only option would really be down to trying to persuade them into giving you a new phone or changing the contract. I think legally because of the time that has passed and if you have a hard copy of your contract then there will not be much you can do.

jimmymac87

Hey,

Were did you originally get the contract, and did you get anything about being able to drop the tariff down after 6 months in writing?? I'm asking because I used to work in The Link, and when contracts where missold by us, customers sometimes used to get a cheque to cover the amount of line rental that was missold from Head Office.

In your case, you could try to reclaim the difference in cost you have incurred from an extra 6 months at full price line rental - worth a try anyway with the retailer.