New Not-Locked N61 phone does not work with 3 SIM

I'm on a contract with 3.

I recently sent my Nokia E61 on a journey of adventure through my
washing machine and tumble drier.

Needles to say, it didn't survive, so I bought a replacement from
Expansys, since
3 were asking an outrageous price to replace my handset (£270) when I
can buy it for ~£150. The replacement was not a locked phone.

I also sent of for a replacement SIM card in case the original got
damaged.

Now, whichever SIM card I put in, it says "SIM card Invalid". I phoned
3 and they say they wont help since I did not buy the phone from them.
They also told me that it would only work with their own phones since
they use their own version of the software.

I am now stuck and have a phone I can't use.

Does anyone have any advice as to how this can be resolved?

Thanks in advance

Dirc




--
dirc

"dirc" <dircREMOVE@workx.co.uk.invalid> wrote in message
news:dirc.2a7f31c@mobilebanter.co.uk...
>
> I'm on a contract with 3.
>
> I recently sent my Nokia E61 on a journey of adventure through my
> washing machine and tumble drier.
>
> Needles to say, it didn't survive, so I bought a replacement from
> Expansys, since
> 3 were asking an outrageous price to replace my handset (£270) when I
> can buy it for ~£150. The replacement was not a locked phone.
>
> I also sent of for a replacement SIM card in case the original got
> damaged.
>
> Now, whichever SIM card I put in, it says "SIM card Invalid". I phoned
> 3 and they say they wont help since I did not buy the phone from them.

Welcome to the standards of customer service at '3' - provided by their call
centre at Foocue*.

It is time you looked for another service provider - as the phone is not
locked you don't have to bother with '3', although they might have tried
blacklisting the IMEI to make your new phone useless forever.

> They also told me that it would only work with their own phones since
> they use their own version of the software.

This is an outright lie - they have slugged your SIM and disabled your
service, but are doubtless still charging you for service they are denying
you.

Unfortunately their T&C are so weasely designed that you won't have any come
back, can't quit and they will keep your money.

If you stop their DD they will try and blacklist your credit.

>
> I am now stuck and have a phone I can't use.

No you are stuck with three. On their P&G phones this was literally true -
they super glued SIMs into the phones so you couldn't get them out!

>
> Does anyone have any advice as to how this can be resolved?

1. Never deal with 3 again.

2. Tell 11 other people.

>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Dirc
>
>
>
>
> --
> dirc

* all their tubbies are call Fuqu.

"Steve" <steev_l@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:qek464dkkcv5sisg6nrrtv45ta91jemnbn@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:39:21 +0100, dirc
> <dircREMOVE@workx.co.uk.invalid> wrote:
<snip>
>>Now, whichever SIM card I put in, it says "SIM card Invalid". I phoned
>>3 and they say they wont help since I did not buy the phone from them.
>>They also told me that it would only work with their own phones since
>>they use their own version of the software.
>>
>>I am now stuck and have a phone I can't use.
>>
>>Does anyone have any advice as to how this can be resolved?
>
> Find friend with 3 phone or go to 3 store. Test both SIMs (surely now
> the original will have been revoked anyway?) If SIM is working:
>
>
Yes try the new sim in a known good 3 phone, always handy to have a spare,
if the new sim isn't enabled get 3 to do so.

Then use the known good sim in your phone
>
> 1.) Sell unlocked phone on eBay
>
Should be no need once sim is working
>
> 2.) Buy 3-locked/bastardised handset on eBay
>
Should be no need once sim is working
>
> 3.) Be content you've minimised your losses.
>
What losses if the sim is working?
>
> If SIM not working, go back to 3 and get them to enable/fix it.
> ;-)
>
Which sounds like the problem
Also I wouldn't have told 3 that the E61 wasn't from them

Steve Terry