Coverage and Customer Service

[Blondie]

I took out a 3 phone in September and returned in within a week. I live in London and am out about all day in my car. The coverage was appalling. half the time when I tried to use the phone I could not get reception. I then tried to send text messages to friends abroad and was told that the country's I was texting I could not text from 3 at the current time.

Everytime you spoke to someone in the customer service centre they completely misunderstood what you were saying so the call went no where.

I cancelled the contract and today I just received a bill. When I called up customer services I was told that I would have to wait a month for a final bill to be sent to me saying I owed no money. I couldn't understand why I had received a bill for a contract I had cancelled. I used those no's seen on here to call Glasgow and the guy I spoke to there said I was in credit and 3 would send me a cheque for £30. Not quite sure whey they are sending me a cheque when I haven't paid them any money but I suppose for all the inconvenience they have caused me I will accept it!

I am now with Vodaphone paying a hell of a lot more money but happy!

[A1c]

A pity the service did'nt work out for you. I'm having another go with a cheapie cash back deal (attempt #3). At £5/month I should be able to get some value and can 'factory reset' the handset to remain on 02 (3's GSM roaming partner) if the 3G network gets up to its old tricks in my area. I shall be keeping a low user GSM contract for business contacts to ensure that I have reliable communications of course! Your experience is not unusual and underlines the advice many have provided here that 3 is still a work in progress and if your mobile is 'mission critical' its not a good move to rely 100% on 3 UK presently.

[Gunner]

Hi,

Not sure why Three have said they're sending you a cheque if you haven't paid them any money. You have to settle the minutes and texts etc that you used within the 14 day period - even if you cancel.

[evoloution]

Not true abs0lutely. You should only have to pay anything if you use the services in excess in the 14dmbg period. Excess being over the units provided in your tarrif. You will always recieve a first bill from 3 as it is created on the 1st day when you sign up as they do not do pro rata anymore. I was advised to cancel my direct debit with the bank and ignore the bill and I have nothing outstanding with 3 for that closed account and I have my origional contract still working on 3. This information was provided by a 3 point and 3 customer services and it was true! I checked with 3 CS and my 14dmbg account is closed with a zero balance and I never paid a penny! I wanted to try the NEC 616 when it first came out but I took it back as it was faulty and now I have a great wee LG on an upgrade on my original account.