"Chris Morrison" <hidden@nospam.priv> wrote in message
news:1171940622_9029@sp6iad.superfeed.net...
> Unfortunately you have completely misunderstood the situation,
> albeit due to some significant
> details being left out by myself.
>
> First, there is no question of her refusing to pay, she has written
> to 3 (I prepared the letter) and
> stated that she is more than happy to pay for the services that she
> has actually received and used,
> she has also stated that she will pay for the handset provided under
> the contract. although we know
> that it was fully paid for during the first six months of the
> contract.
>
> *She is NOT refusing to pay her bill or for the services she has
> used, I don't know how that
> conclusion was reached.*
>

Seems like she is refusing to pay though...
On signing up she comitted to a minimum term of 18 months. With that
in mind, 3 has every right to expect her to pay the line rental for
the full 18 months, or a suitable cancellation fee, which will likely
add up to the same thing.
One option to save money would be to drop down to a lower tariff (if
there is one), but i'm not sure on 3's position on tariff downgrades,
I know they've started charging customers to downgrade, but don't know
of its all customers or just those signing up after a certain date.

If your friend is having financial problems, I'd suggest she make up a
list of all her current debtors, including what they are owed now or
over the next year or so (in 3's case). Then go visit a financial
advisor and determine the best course of action....
Not knowing her financial standings, and if she owes lots of money,
I'd suggest (Assuming she has a good credit rating) a personal loan
(with payment protection), so as to reduce monthly repayments...
obviously factoring in 3's cancellation fee into the loan amount so it
can be terminated now rather than hanging on to it for the minimum
term.