ANOTHER three mobile internet problem. Stuck in consumer limbo.

[titas]

My laptop failed a few weeks back and I went to replace it. I took a three mobile internet option as it offered £300- off a new laptop if I signed for 24 months. Assured by staff at pc world that three would suit me most and would be actually cheaper than my current supplier I took this. It boasts a 10gb download limit per month and "up to" 2.8mbs (not a chance)

Here is the problem. The internet access doesn't work. It's slow and worse than that is that at times for days and days on end it is intermitant and doesnt work at all. Seriously unreliable.

I have been on their technical line twice going through tests and eventually they took the modem and checked it and returned it saying it is fine. All seemed well for a few days but I have come back from a job to find that the access to the net is as bad as ever and its been three days of poor service.

Unwilling to go through the technical procedure which has failed twice before I have been calling their customer service line for a few days. This line cuts you off if you do not take the technical serivce line. Noticing a new number on a covering letter that came back with the returned modem called it today and asked to get out of the contract as clearly it doesn't work and I didn't have any more time to waste. The guy basically would not let me out of the contract.

He says I have missed my opportunity, but I've only had it back from being checked for a fault for a week or so, and had it at most 10 days of non access before that. I am however to get another call from someone within 48 hours to talk to me about why I want out of the contract...

So here I am still no reliable internet access, willing to pay the £300- back to them for the laptop, yet seemingly with no rights and no way out of an internet contract which doesn't work. I need to get armed with my rights before I get this call back. Can anyone help. I honestly feel like I have been conned.

ps I am writing from a coffee shop with internet access.

[locutus]

They are right that you have a window to cancel in, and if this has passed the contract is binding... can you update us on what has happened re this phone call you were supposed to be getting?

[titas]

surely they have exploited this and my rights by not resolving the problems ive been calling about from day one? they havent charged me for the' first two weeks where they admitted i didnt have access. They havent called like they said, several days were wasted when the phone number for customer service proved to be a hang up automated service, and again extended the time by arranging this call back option. ive had next to no internet for 5 more days now..

anyway had hoped id have more info before they called from this group so i'll just face up to them on my own.

anyone know a direct route to complain to trading standards? I'll find their site if i can just get access long enough!

[womble72]

Hi,

Did you ever sign a contract with 3g mobile out of interest ?

My friend at work had a 3g usb broadband stick and did not work at home but in the work place no problems.
Cut a long story short she did not sign a contract and also returned within the 14 days ?
Still harrasing her and i just cpr letter to them and a telephone harrassement letter.
This mob dont take no for an answer.

Kind Regards

Womble

[emmarapid]

I've had a similar experience with three - hence the reason I have now lost the USB stick - I haven't been using it for so long, and have moved house in between, that I've maanged to loose it. I went throught the technical line option, sent the drive off etc, and they said it was fine. It was incrediably tempermental at my old house, and my new flat (strangely where I have no wireless set up), but works fine at my mums (she has wireless). It seems to feed off wireless networks in the area (although this is illegal I believe) but whereever there is no wireless it doesnt seem to work. . . . . . . . . .. (the comments re the wireless are just my thoughts. . . I am not implying in anyway that Three are doing anything illegal. . . )

But they will NOT let you cancel, regardless of whether it works, whether you have lost it etc. I never put my signature to anything, but agreed to them using my debit card as ID.

Just out of interest does anyone have a contract wording handy?

[womble72]

Hi Emma,

My friend also never signed a contract but the main thing is 3g are a bunch of rogues who try to scare people into paying up for a service which in some areas does not work.
So she has had a debt collecting agency already for £23.00 but i told her if you have not signed a contract then they cant exactly do much.

She has countless of phone calls from there indian call centre demanding to carry on the account.

Have you had countless hassell from these idiots.

Regards

Womble

[emmarapid]

I haven't had anything, as I have paid dutifully up to now, however cancelled the DD this month so we'll wait and see!

[womble72]

Hello everyone !

I know i have asked this question before but if you dont sign a contract with 3g and the doggle stick does not work in the area you live in but only at your work place and have explained the problem to the muppets at 3G and returned the stick back to them with a covering letter explaining it does not work and cancel the service.
They still send statements and have ignored my cpr request but the important question i need to know is the debt enforcable due to not signing a contract with 3G. I.e what can they possible do with court action.
This problem is for a worried lady i work with and she is no good with going on the internet so i am asking on her behalf.
Can anybody help ?

Kind Regards

Womble

[locutus]

The company is "3" or "Three", 3g is a technology.

If it was ordered over the phone or online, the contract is just as binding. However, over the phone or online is called "remote selling" and is covered by the distance selling regulations. The distance selling regulations state you have 14 days from recieving the goods to return them and cancel the contract. If this was not done the contrat (all be it verbal / online) is as binding as a written contract.

[Vimto]

Hi

I've had 3 mobile broadband since Dec 07. I (stupidly) signed an 18 month contract. I was living in Manchester city centre. The service was poor. I rang up serveral times to complain only to be put on hold/cut off. I put up with it.

I've now had to move. The service is now non-existent. Is there any chance of getting out of this contract or will I simply have to pay for a service I'm not receveing till June 09?

Thanks