Contract ending - advice

little_green

looking for advice re my phone contract coming to an end. Currently I'm on a 24m contract with three for phone & sim that was taken out via a 3rd party. According to my account, minimum term is until 26/11 with upgrade options available from 20/10.

From my understanding I still need to give three 30 days notice to actually terminate the contract otherwise they would continue to take the monthly payment indefinitely. I either plan to move to sim only (are most simo contracts 12m?) & keep my current device, or take out a new contract. I would do this with three depending on what they can offer me, or with another retailer (incl. 3rd party). if that is the better deal.

I am keen to see what black Friday has to offer but that's 3 days after my contract ends so what are my options for the 3 day gap? Won't I have already had to make a decision before black Friday?

Also what's the best way to get three to offer a decent retention deal? Get put through to retentions? If I ask for PAC code would that automatically terminate my contract or, would I actually have to give it to another provider for anything to actually happen (ie could I call three's bluff?) From what I recall when OH left three they only actually got anywhere when asking for PAC code but by that time it was too late & a new contract had been taken out elsewhere bc prior to that three had repeatedly stated they couldn't match anything near that. (As I say it was only when asking for pac code they finally offered a fairly close matched deal).

Neil49

Just asking for a PAC doesn't automatically cancel your contract, you actually have to use it. If you don't then your existing contract will continue to run at the price you are paying now.

Unless their policy has changed recently then I understand that Three are one of the companies that doesn't automatically adjust your monthly charge down to take into account the fact that you have paid off the cost of your handset. Under the circumstances you really must take some sort of action.

Although the majority of contracts are for 12 months or more there are a few that do 30 days. A couple are Plusnet (who use EE network) and iD mobile (who use Three).

I've seen some good THREE simo contracts recently so I suggest you do some research on what they are currently offering (even if they are for new customers) and use these as part of your negotiations.

If you decide to switch providers then don't forget to use either Quidco or Topcashback as you can get some good deals through them.

grumbler

Neil49 wrote: »

Although the majority of contracts are for 12 months or more there are a few that do 30 days. A couple are Plusnet (who use EE network) and iD mobile (who use Three).

So are Three themselves, although not for cheap low-usage contracts
http://www.three.co.uk/Store/SIM/Plans_for_phones

mobilejunkie

Wait until 30 days' before Black Friday, then either ask for a PAC (which lasts for 30 days) OR give 30 days' notice. I'd do it a bit after that to give yourself breathing space for the new sim to arrive or explore other options if Black Friday proves fruitless (never too sure why people hope for better deals then when there often aren't, depending on what you're looking for). You will end up paying for the few days after the minimum term ends until the contract actually terminates.

little_green

Hi all so just to clarify here's my understanding
- my current contract which although due to end 26/11 will continue to run (and I'll continue to be debited the same monthly amount) unless I give 30 days notice
- instead of giving the 30 days notice so that my contract terminates on 26/11 I can delay this by a few days so that it ends slight after back Friday, however any extra days I am over 26/11 I will be billed for
- alternatively I can contact them within 30 days of 26/11 (say 1/11) and request my PAC code. I can then use this to terminate the contract. If I use this prior to 26/11 though won't I be charged early exit fees? If I use this after 26/11 as long as I haven't signed up to a new contract with my three then it's ok

I still want to have a conversation with 3 in advance of black Friday to see the best deal they can offer for with and upgrade OR simo. To do this I believe I need to get put through to retentions. I'm still confused as to how I can do this (or find out my options) without actually tying into something new bc if I contact them and they offer eg £8/m 10gb Unlt Calls and texts won't I be forced to either take it at the time they offer or lose it? If I say I need time to think (thus buying me time to see bf deals) and then call them back they might no longer be able to offer me that? I also want to be in a position of knowing the best deals 3 can offer me in advance of bf so that I can accurately compare

eDicky

Look for the cheapest deal on any network that suits your needs, but don't sign up (yet).

Ask Three for your PAC, but don't use it (yet).

When Three asks what you are moving to, tell them the deal you found. After checking its existence, they will offer to match it (or not).

craggybuk

As other users have said, just requesting a PAC code doesn't automatically cancel your contract, you have 30 days to pass your PAC to your new provider. When the switch happens, your previous contract is cancelled.

I never enter into an upgrade with my existing provider once my contract is up as I always find the deals are less favourable than those available to a new customer.

My advice would be to go to a pay monthly service such as GiffGaff until you find a deal that is good for you, then you can go as a new customer (even to the provider you have just left). Even if this takes 2 or 3 months to find a good deal, you'll be saving pounds on your existing deal.

Hope this helps?

mobilejunkie

little_green wrote: »

If I use this after 26/11 as long as I haven't signed up to a new contract with my three then it's ok

Your understanding seems fine now, except for one proviso; the PAC will expire if not used within 30 days, so allow for that if you decide to go that route when timing your request for one. Any request for a PC will also cancel any notice to terminate already given so don't expect to be able to hedge your bets by doing both.