To anyone who can help, Although a member for a while this is only the 2nd visit. I have had an on-going argument with 3 mobile phones about poor handset reception, battery life and being lied to at point of sale. After 6 months of harassment (I canceled the direct debit as no-one would return calls or emails with anything other than "how would you like to pay?" and a refusal to let me speak with anyone who could do more than take a card number. The only replacement handset on offer was a far inferior model, and reconditioned. Subscription remaining the same! I recently sent a letter (31st March 2009) requesting all transcripts of telephone conversations, a copy of my contract and credit agreement under Data Protection 2000. This morning I received a letter from their Debt Collection Dept. with notice of litigation (unless payment received within 7 days...). To date I have received nothing from 3! I need advice as to whether I wait for the litigation and fight or put in a claim against them first? I am laboring under the impression that not only have they breached the contract by failing to provide a service at the level to which I was paying. The contract was sold to me by a shop (3's agent) with the proviso that I would get the same reception coverage as my previous provider (Orange) as there was an arrangement between them that the 3 signal could use Orange transmitters.... not true! 3 pointed out that was between the vendor and myself. However, as the contract was sold under that proviso surely the contract becomes null and void? Really appreciate any advice in this matter.

Yeah, those dates are pretty much it, they received the LBA on the 15th Feb and replied pretty quickly, I suppose the next step is to threaten court, which I have pretty much done, just not formally. Give them the 14 days to respond, then fill out the default judgment form. It's just all this bloody letter writing stuff and their total lack of response. I just want to get legal on their ass for all the threats and nastiness I've had to deal with over the years and I guess I was just hoping that with the expiration of the minimum deadline I could push ahead. Part of me wants them to ignore it all the way so I can send the bailiffs in to my branch. I would pay all of the charges owed to me to see the look on my bank managers face if that happened.

Sorry didn't make that as clear as I could have. The acknowledgment came within the 1st 14 days, the 2nd 14 days is up today. I could play nice and phone them tomorrow and see what they say. However, I give them the opportunity to offer a reduced amount. This will kneecap any chance I may have of taking them to court for the full amount.

Hi to anyone out there, apologies straight away if I'm in the wrong place but I've been searching around for some time now, I've registered and I just need some advise. I have recently had a successful claim for bank charges against Abbey, it was successful in that they refunded exactly what I asked for. However, they also withdrew my overdraft and asked me to close my account. I used the same template letter for HSBC (softened slightly so as not to be quite so threatening, but still business like and to the point). Where my dilemma comes in is; I sent the letter on 15th February, I got the standard acknowledgment "we take your complaint very seriously and I will be looking into it in the greatest detail." So 28 days is now up and from what I've read I can now fill the on-line form out with the courts service and ask for a default judgment as they've offered no defense. Do I phone the bank and try and do things amicably? Or do I shake the gloves off, fill out the form and take no prisoners? Please help, I need the most expedient outcome possible. Greenmeanie