3 Retention Deals

Steve_xx

ssgtsnelly wrote: »

Steve if you buy a Skype enabled handset on 3 you dont need to connect it to your pc to use it know, its installed on your handset and you just run the program and you would a moble game and then it runs in the background, if you get a Sony Ericsson phone its displayed as a small purple box at the top of the screen when its minimised and is found in your launcher, just log in with your normal account details and your away

Ah I see what you mean Thanks for the information.

So then, would I be right in assuming that if I had the Sony E Skype handset with 3 that all my calls to other Skypers would be free, but if I chose to call a non-Skyper then I would be charged from the Skype account but not from the 3 account?

Steve_xx

I think I've found the answer to my own question. It seems that you would get free Skype to Skype calls from your 3 handset. But you would pay at the normal network rate from Skype to non-Skype. This is a little confusing isomuch as it appears that 3 would charge you to make a Skype to non-Skype call. But since you would be using the Skype account to do this, wouldn't Skype also deduct cash from your account with them for doing this?

However, on researching this, another possibility, on a Pay As You Go basis has revealed itself. On the 3 website in the Q&A section it says:

Q How do the free Skype calls work on Pay As You Go?

A Every time you top up your account you get free Skype calls for 90 days. So after 90 days you just need to top up again and your free Skype calls continue.
A Fair Usage Policy does apply - if you exceed 4,000 minutes or 10,000 chats within 90 days you will not be able to make Skype calls but will still be able to receive them.
You will need to buy another top-up to continue to make Skype calls.

Q Can I still make Skype calls if my top up has ran out?

A Yes, your Skype calls are valid for 90 days from the date you last topped up and you can use Skype even if your cash credit runs out before then. After 90 days, you need to buy another top-up to get another month’s worth of free Skype calls.

This is an interesting proposition since it would mean that a family of say three people could have a mobile with Skype on it and they would only need to top up by the minimum evey 90 days. Hopefully the minimum would be not more than £10 and this would allow the three people to stay in touch almost freely, only using their tariffed minutes for making calls outside of the group to non-skype mobiles/landlines.

The startup costs might be steep as I guess a Skype enabled handset would come at a premium, but cerainly worth considering.

trinnylilac

After requesting my pac code from 3 12 days ago I was on the verge of signing up to vodaphone anytime talk 500 mins and 100 text for £25 with Nokia N95 8GB for 24 months ( £60 quidco). The first adviser on 3 wouldn't offer anything that a new customer wouldn't get and I haven't had any calls from them since.

On the off chance I gave 3 another call and have been given the N95 8GB, 500 mins, unlimited texts for £25 over 18 months so quite pleased as quite a heavy texter and it saves me any hassel changing networks.

I am sure with cash back and quidco deals you could probably match this but for me its fine.
Thought I would mention in case anyone is coming to the end of thier contract and wants this phone x

JediMaster

I'm with "3" and have a 18month term ending in 60 days. (May 19th I think the sales person said in the three shop). I went in to see what "Upgrade" options I had, they only offered what was on shop floor (ie no offers just normal prices).

I've never had a Mobile that I've upgraded/renewed before. So I walked out as I've heard others say they get discount by ringing up the network.

I have a Nokia N73 that cost £15 month (Mix & Match 300) & £6 extra Video Calls (60min) so I pay £21 every month.

I just wanted to ask what should I aim for when ringing Three???? I'd like Extra Minutes & a nice phone Nothing too fancy.

I went to CPW & was offered a Orange deal for £25, 700 mins, Unlimited Landline. So I feel 300 Mix and Match with 3 is not worth the money.

I was offered Nokia 6600 (but may be interested in E71, INQ or any other)

Thanks for helping a newbie :beer:

ssgtsnelly

Id punt for the E71 on the £35 texter which is 750 mins and unlimted texts, but say you dont want to pay more than £25, if you got a solid Orange offer to compare it against then you should be fine.

I did the same the other day with the LG Renoir and asked for it on the £25 texter on which the handset should cost £150 ish, I said no chance ill leave, he went away and came back and said his manager will do the handset free, £25 500 mins unlimted texts free Renoir. Still said ill call back as I want to see what Voda offer me this week

Aslong as you really dont expect it for nothing then you hold the aces. They need you more than you need them

thigger

Fascinating logic going on over at 3 HQ.

I think I've been a fairly good customer since I transferred in from O2 after horrendous service issues (I'd been with O2 for 9 years!) - spend is £28-30/month paid on time etc.

I've just phoned to ask what deals they can do if I sign up to a new contract and was initially told categorically that 3 don't do deals because they rely on building up customer goodwill over a long period. (somewhat at odds with what I've read)

He then warned me that if I signed up to another provider to get a cheaper deal I'd be locked in for an 18 month contract - as opposed to the 18 month contract he wanted me to agree to to replace my phone...

Next he tried to announce I /could/ have a discount by offering me the ~50p/month that the VAT cut gives me.

Lastly he offered a £3/month discount on the condition I didn't take a phone.

My PAC code is on its way - hopefully retentions will make some better offers.

JediMaster

thigger wrote: »

My PAC code is on its way - hopefully retentions will make some better offers.

How long do they normally take to call you back???

What happens if you accept the NEW deal? Will they cancel the PAC code or how would that work. I have 60 days left on my 18 month & am trying to understand it all before I ring up

thigger

JediMaster wrote: »

How long do they normally take to call you back???

It seems to vary but most people seem to be called a few days after the PAC code is issued and then quite frequently after that. However some don't seem to get anything until near the end of the 30 days.

What happens if you accept the NEW deal? Will they cancel the PAC code or how would that work. I have 60 days left on my 18 month & am trying to understand it all before I ring up

If you don't use a PAC code inside the 30 day period it just expires - you'd then need to request another one if you want to port after that 30 day period. The advisers will (often) feed you a great deal of rubbish to stop you taking a PAC code, but whether you're planning on leaving the network or not it's fine to request one as you can either use it (and port your number to a new network) or just let it lapse if you can't find anything better elsewhere.

dellaclearing

thigger wrote: »

It seems to vary but most people seem to be called a few days after the PAC code is issued and then quite frequently after that. However some don't seem to get anything until near the end of the 30 days...

The advisers will (often) feed you a great deal of rubbish to stop you taking a PAC code.

I can agree with that, my 30 days cancellation period ends in 3 days and I still haven't heard a peep from 3! And on your second point, true also! I was told that if I requested a PAC I'd instantly lose any customer loyalty I'd built up, just by requesting my PAC not necessarily using it, and they'd never be able to offer me such a good deal again! Seeingt as the original deal wasn't that good at all I decided to leave anyway but as always, things aren't that simple...

I was all ready to sign up for a new 18 month Orange contract but it now looks like I may be moving to Spain in September. I don't want to get off topic but does anyone know if there are ways to cut a contract short if you're moving to a different country, or if I can transfer to Orange in Spain? It'd be pretty wreckless of me to sign up to an 18 month contract that I won't be able to use in a few months time. I've seen some people being offered deals from 3 for 5 pounds a month, if 3 can offer me something like this I might be tempted to take it, however I'm still awaiting any kind of call from 3! Do 3 operate in Spain?

ginvzt

Well, just asked for my PAC from 3. It took 'only' 20 minutes of talking. After I said I am leaving due to network issues, they offered me to reduce my plan to Mix&Match 300 (I am on 600 now, paying £25, they said I pay £20?) and give me the best phone - Sony Ericsson C510 (I want an SE). That is the best deal ever and I will never get any better as as soon as I ask for PAC I loose any loyalty discount!!!! That is the same offer they have on the website to anyone. If I call back again, I will never get such a good offer again. Right.

Told them to listen to what I am actually saying and give the code instead of wasting time. I kept repeating that I have poor network coverage and he kept telling me that if I take out another contract with new phone all will be well. Well, my OH has a newer phone from them and and has exactly the same problems. Which they ignored. Actually, they told me I have a perfect coverage at home (believe, I am not).