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Standard User ntpreece
(newbie) Sat 26-Aug-23 12:48:02
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Three Broadband - A cancellation nightmare


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Ah, Three Broadband. If it works for you, great. Download speeds are often fabulous and Three's owners CK Hutchison are spending a lot of money upgrading many locations to 5G.

Best of luck trying to cancel with these absolute jokers if you aren't happy with your service however!

I had a horrendous time with them personally. Joined in February 2023. Called to cancel within 30 days as the upload speeds weren't good and the router needed a daily manual reboot. It took them ages to send me the returns label. Had to call three times over 7 days for them to send it. I was worried about not receiving the returns label as it was coming up to the end of their 30 day returns policy and I didn't want them coming back to me saying it was too late to return. Eventually it was sent, so I packed up the device, took a photo of the parcel and sent it back. Kept a copy of the DPD receipt. Constantly checked the DPD tracking and when I saw it was received by Three, I thought nothing of it at that point.

A month went by and had a text saying my bill was due. No payment was needed as I was originally on a three months free offer but called to query this anyway and was told it was 'nothing to worry about'. She took the reference number from my DPD receipt and said no further contact needed. I was skeptical. And for good reason.

As further months went by I kept on receiving warning texts and emails saying my account was falling into arrears. I kept calling them each time for them to later state they never received the router back despite me giving them the reference number from DPD proving it was received at their returns office on time. They even once had the cheek to ask me to contact DPD as it was lost with them despite it clearly showing as received and signed for at Three.

Early August, I had an alert from Credit Karma. June and July were updated as missed payments by Three and this caused my credit score to immediately drop dramatically. Also checked my Experian credit file to find the same score drop.

I immediately raised a complaint with Three via their website who took around ten days to call me back. When they called me back, I was horrified to hear them ask for the reference number from the tracking again and asked me to contact DPD. The tracking number was provided within the complaint webform! When I contacted DPD they said they had fulfilled their obligation and it had clearly been signed for at the receiving end so it had to be only Three to resolve the matter. I was stern but polite, but insisted that they must resolve the complaint. They said they'd further contact me within 7 days as they'd need to check with the backend team.

No contact was made by them so I went on their webchat a few days ago to firmly assure them that I will be taking this matter to the ombudsman should this not be resolved within a timely matter due to the detrimental effect on my credit file through no fault of my own. An hour passed, and the agent agreed to finally cancel the contract down fully but seemed to have a tone as if Three were doing me a favour on this occasion. I queried of course the credit file issue but he insisted he'd raise a report with the credit file team to get the derogatory markers removed within 30 days. No-one in the right mind would blame me at this point for being a little doubtful. Should the markers not be removed in that time I will contact the ombudsman and CK/Experian/Equifax to raise a notice of correction.

Over the years I have been a Three customer on and off ever since the brand launched on 3rd March 2003. Generally they've been great; but my experience in 2023 with them has been nothing short of horrifying. I won't actively consider them again. If I did want to go back, I'd only consider an MVNO of theirs like Smarty that doesn't affect your credit file and a plan you can easily cancel online.

What a bunch of cowboys. I now shudder whenever I see a TV ad of theirs.
Standard User ian72
(eat-sleep-adslguide) Tue 29-Aug-23 09:09:04
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Re: Three Broadband - A cancellation nightmare


[re: ntpreece] [link to this post]
 
I had a similar issue with a gas supplier. Ended up going to the ombudsman and getting it resolved and getting compensation. But a year later I then received a letter from a debt collection agency because the gas supplier has gone into administration and they think I owe them money. Never had any bills to say I still owed them (it was a final settlement via the ombudsman where they owed me nearly £1K). Contacted the debt collection agency 3 times by email and phone (they didn't answer the phone so left a voicemail) and still haven't heard anything from them to confirm that they won't be taking it further or even that they received my contacts. Half expecting someone to turn up at the door to try and take belongings to settle a debt that they have shown never evidence that I owe.
Standard User Rolandrat
(experienced) Tue 29-Aug-23 10:09:26
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Re: Three Broadband - A cancellation nightmare


[re: ian72] [link to this post]
 
I had a problem with Vodafone when I ended a contract, they tried to bill an extra month.
I eventually had a missed payment on my credit file even though I had sorted it with Voda at the time.
I logged a complaint/query with Transunion explaining everything, didnt have to prove anything just explained some facts, think it helped that I have never missed a payment ever in my life.
Anyway they fixed it, took less than a month. Credit rating fixed.

Speedtest

Draytek 3910(HA) - Cityfibre 900, BT FTTP 900 & Three 5G.


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Standard User AndreiV
(newbie) Tue 29-Aug-23 14:28:11
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Re: Three Broadband - A cancellation nightmare


[re: ntpreece] [link to this post]
 
Three are a bunch of bankers and that is polite.

I tried their useless 5G broadband. I can see the 5G tower , it is only 400 meters from my window , does it work ? Not with Three, it is hopeless.

They offer a 30 day trial/return , good luck.

You can't speak to anyone, no email address only a very poor "Chat" system that is staffed by people that struggle with basic English.

4 times I had to "Chat" with them , each time having wasted over an hour and a half repeatedly answering the same questions.

They ask for the last chat ID number, there is no ID system on the screen.

4 times I was promised the account was closed, and I would receive a return package within 4 working days, nothing ever arrived.

Went to their complaint system, again it promises a call within 7 days. 23 days later I get a call and have to go through it all again.This time they admitted nothing had been done to arrange the return and then the guy says "Ill restart your account now for you." 1 minute later an email arrives saying how pleased they are that I am staying.

In total I have wasted 9 hours trying to get sense from them. The return bag has just arrived , 39 days after it was promised and it is a sack large enough to post several asylum seekers in the mail.

You need valium and therapy dealing with this totally incompetent bunch.

Last communication was an email with a satisfaction survey , I hope they enjoy reading the response.

Edited by AndreiV (Tue 29-Aug-23 15:25:02)

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