So, three's call centre will move to the UK. Apparently. Hmmmm...

I'm sure everyone will sympathise when I say that I find Indian call
centres to be possibly one of the most unpleasant and frustrating
things to deal with these days, and so I have managed to rid myself of
all banks and companies which use them (explaining why I'm leaving
too) except the damn contract with three ("please wait some moments
[25 minutes] which I check the informations on these details and then
tell you to use the reset function of your phone even though a key is
physically broken").

So, when phones4u rang to remind me end of contract was near and ask
how it was going, I told them the reason there wasn't a hope in hell
of getting me back on Three. He then said:
"Lots of our customers have mentioned this, and three have told us
they are moving their call centre to the UK".

Is this true? I very much doubt it. He's going to ring back this week
and I'd love to be able to stretch a phone call out and record it,
then use it as a bargaining chip for a better contract. Anything in
particular anyone else wants me to ask?

"Jonathan" <digitaltoast@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:09bd076a-3693-459c-83b1-d07951c1f0b7@b1g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
> I'm sure everyone will sympathise when I say that I find Indian call
> centres to be possibly one of the most unpleasant and frustrating
> things to deal with these days, and so I have managed to rid myself of
> all banks and companies which use them (explaining why I'm leaving
> too) except the damn contract with three ("please wait some moments
> [25 minutes] which I check the informations on these details and then
> tell you to use the reset function of your phone even though a key is
> physically broken").
>
> So, when phones4u rang to remind me end of contract was near and ask
> how it was going, I told them the reason there wasn't a hope in hell
> of getting me back on Three. He then said:
> "Lots of our customers have mentioned this, and three have told us
> they are moving their call centre to the UK".
>
> Is this true? I very much doubt it. He's going to ring back this week
> and I'd love to be able to stretch a phone call out and record it,
> then use it as a bargaining chip for a better contract. Anything in
> particular anyone else wants me to ask?
>
You think 3 CS is a problem you should now try Orange CS.

Orange used to have a fine 24/7 CS now it's only 8am to 10pm,
last week had a problem, lost network just before 10pm ,
no hope getting any CS at all.
Next day got passed around Indian call centre for half an hour
till i was finally passed to a UK CS with any sense at all.

My 3 service is fine
The futures bright the futures 3

Steve Terry

On Thu, 15 May 2008 06:50:03 -0700 (PDT), Jonathan
<digitaltoast@gmail.com> wrote:

>I'm sure everyone will sympathise when I say that I find Indian call
>centres to be possibly one of the most unpleasant and frustrating
>things to deal with these days, and so I have managed to rid myself of
>all banks and companies which use them (explaining why I'm leaving
>too) except the damn contract with three ("please wait some moments
>[25 minutes] which I check the informations on these details and then
>tell you to use the reset function of your phone even though a key is
>physically broken").
>
>So, when phones4u rang to remind me end of contract was near and ask
>how it was going, I told them the reason there wasn't a hope in hell
>of getting me back on Three. He then said:
>"Lots of our customers have mentioned this, and three have told us
>they are moving their call centre to the UK".
>
>Is this true? I very much doubt it. He's going to ring back this week
>and I'd love to be able to stretch a phone call out and record it,
>then use it as a bargaining chip for a better contract. Anything in
>particular anyone else wants me to ask?

Wouldn't trust Phones4U either ....

Apparently they are facing an OFCON investigation due to numerous
complaints about mis-selling etc ...

About time .... they're the biggest bunch of thieving crooks on the
high street.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/mai...nphones115.xml

and

http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/cgi-b...=254&h=260&f=3

Cheers

Jim!

"Steve Terry" <gFOURwwk@tesco.net> wrote in message
news:g0hhu6$ij3$1@news.albasani.net...
>
> "Jonathan" <digitaltoast@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:09bd076a-3693-459c-83b1-d07951c1f0b7@b1g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
>> I'm sure everyone will sympathise when I say that I find Indian call
>> centres to be possibly one of the most unpleasant and frustrating
>> things to deal with these days, and so I have managed to rid myself of
>> all banks and companies which use them (explaining why I'm leaving
>> too) except the damn contract with three ("please wait some moments
>> [25 minutes] which I check the informations on these details and then
>> tell you to use the reset function of your phone even though a key is
>> physically broken").
>>
>> So, when phones4u rang to remind me end of contract was near and ask
>> how it was going, I told them the reason there wasn't a hope in hell
>> of getting me back on Three. He then said:
>> "Lots of our customers have mentioned this, and three have told us
>> they are moving their call centre to the UK".
>>
>> Is this true? I very much doubt it. He's going to ring back this week
>> and I'd love to be able to stretch a phone call out and record it,
>> then use it as a bargaining chip for a better contract. Anything in
>> particular anyone else wants me to ask?
>>
> You think 3 CS is a problem you should now try Orange CS.
>
> Orange used to have a fine 24/7 CS now it's only 8am to 10pm,
> last week had a problem, lost network just before 10pm ,
> no hope getting any CS at all.
> Next day got passed around Indian call centre for half an hour
> till i was finally passed to a UK CS with any sense at all.
>
> My 3 service is fine
> The futures bright the futures 3
>
> Steve Terry
>

I shall NOT be renewing my Orange contract when its time - Like Steve says
24/7 CS out the window and so is my contract.

On Fri, 16 May 2008 01:26:37 +0100, "Frank Incense"
<dmrt46@nospam.com> wrote:

>"Steve Terry" <gFOURwwk@tesco.net> wrote in message
>news:g0hhu6$ij3$1@news.albasani.net...

>>>
>> You think 3 CS is a problem you should now try Orange CS.
>>
>> Orange used to have a fine 24/7 CS now it's only 8am to 10pm,
>> last week had a problem, lost network just before 10pm ,
>> no hope getting any CS at all.
>> Next day got passed around Indian call centre for half an hour
>> till i was finally passed to a UK CS with any sense at all.
>>
>> My 3 service is fine
>> The futures bright the futures 3
>>
>> Steve Terry
>>
>
>I shall NOT be renewing my Orange contract when its time - Like Steve says
>24/7 CS out the window and so is my contract.

Yup. I'll be off as well. The last straw was them unilaterally
removing part of my agreed contract and then telling me they did it as
it was a "special offer" which had expired and then shunting me off to
the Indian tech support line to get rid of me.

Incidentally, should you request a PAC when you cancel or a week
before the contract expires?

On Sat, 17 May 2008 07:09:26 UTC, Cheeky <me@privacy.net> wrote:

> >I shall NOT be renewing my Orange contract when its time - Like Steve says
> >24/7 CS out the window and so is my contract.
>
> Yup. I'll be off as well. The last straw was them unilaterally
> removing part of my agreed contract and then telling me they did it as
> it was a "special offer" which had expired and then shunting me off to
> the Indian tech support line to get rid of me.

I'm off too. But unsure where yet....I want a contract with about 150
mins and a few texts. Any recommendations? I don't even want a phone but
want to port my number.

--
Bob Eager
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK:
http://www.mirrorservice.org

On Fri, 16 May 2008 00:26:37 UTC, "Frank Incense" <dmrt46@nospam.com>
wrote:

> I shall NOT be renewing my Orange contract when its time - Like Steve says
> 24/7 CS out the window and so is my contract.

I hadn't realised that. Did they tell us? Or do you mean it's still
'24/7' but only via India?

--
Bob Eager
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK:
http://www.mirrorservice.org

On 17 May 2008 07:14:20 GMT, "Bob Eager" <rde42@spamcop.net> wrote:

>On Sat, 17 May 2008 07:09:26 UTC, Cheeky <me@privacy.net> wrote:
>
>> >I shall NOT be renewing my Orange contract when its time - Like Steve says
>> >24/7 CS out the window and so is my contract.
>>
>> Yup. I'll be off as well. The last straw was them unilaterally
>> removing part of my agreed contract and then telling me they did it as
>> it was a "special offer" which had expired and then shunting me off to
>> the Indian tech support line to get rid of me.
>
>I'm off too. But unsure where yet....I want a contract with about 150
>mins and a few texts. Any recommendations? I don't even want a phone but
>want to port my number.
You may not need all th emins and texts but if you take any Virgin
Media services (broadband, TV or landline phone) OR you know someone
who has a Virgin Mobile deal, as a customer of Virgin Media, then you
can get the 300/300 deal for £10/month. No contract just a rolling
month by month deal.

---
Remove 'no_spam_' from email address.
---

On Sat, 17 May 2008 10:46:31 UTC, Brian A <no_spam_bca1000@hotmail.com>
wrote:

> >I'm off too. But unsure where yet....I want a contract with about 150
> >mins and a few texts. Any recommendations? I don't even want a phone but
> >want to port my number.

> You may not need all th emins and texts but if you take any Virgin
> Media services (broadband, TV or landline phone) OR you know someone
> who has a Virgin Mobile deal, as a customer of Virgin Media, then you
> can get the 300/300 deal for £10/month. No contract just a rolling
> month by month deal.

Thanks, but we have no Virgin cable in my area (for TV etc.). I wouldn't
touch their broadband with a bargepole!

Still looking...I guess they're probably all as bad as each other, but
I've had enough of Orange...
--
Bob Eager
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK:
http://www.mirrorservice.org

"Bob Eager" <rde42@spamcop.net> wrote in message
news:176uZD2KcidF-pn2-yd5l43WCST12@rikki.tavi.co.uk...
> On Fri, 16 May 2008 00:26:37 UTC, "Frank Incense" <dmrt46@nospam.com>
> wrote:
>
>> I shall NOT be renewing my Orange contract when its time - Like Steve
>> says
>> 24/7 CS out the window and so is my contract.
>
> I hadn't realised that. Did they tell us? Or do you mean it's still
> '24/7' but only via India?
> Bob Eager
>
I couldn't even get an Indian CS after 10pm.

Thing is I don't want to lose my ED50, so although long ago i dumped
my other Orange contracts, i'm stuck with Orange to keep it

It took over a week for them to restore my ED50 service,
i'm expecting compensation, but i'm not holding my breath.

Not even offering an emergency CS after 10pm is a sure way to lose
what customers they had left.

FT Orange have dismantled all the principles that Hans Snook built Orange on

Gone:
24/7 CS
Free 0800
Line 2
Everyphone
Wildfire
Equity loyalty bonus
Ananova breaking news
Forward facing CS depts (specialist depts you could direct dial)

and other things i'm sure

Steve Terry

"Steve Terry" <gFOURwwk@tesco.net> wrote in message
news:g0ndts$c0b$1@news.albasani.net...
>
> FT Orange have dismantled all the principles that Hans Snook built Orange
> on
>
> Gone:
> 24/7 CS
> Free 0800
> Line 2
> Everyphone
> Wildfire
> Equity loyalty bonus
> Ananova breaking news
> Forward facing CS depts (specialist depts you could direct dial)

Yup, they're a shadow of their former selves.

Orange Messenger is my greatest miss, followed closely by the free Care for
a year every time you upgraded.

Their data charges are horrendous!

After so long I still wonder why I'm with them, just lazy I guess!

On Sun, 18 May 2008 10:30:27 UTC, "pauls" <pauls@test.org> wrote:

> "Steve Terry" <gFOURwwk@tesco.net> wrote in message
> news:g0ndts$c0b$1@news.albasani.net...
> >
> > FT Orange have dismantled all the principles that Hans Snook built Orange
> > on
> >
> > Gone:
> > 24/7 CS
> > Free 0800
> > Line 2
> > Everyphone
> > Wildfire
> > Equity loyalty bonus
> > Ananova breaking news
> > Forward facing CS depts (specialist depts you could direct dial)
>
> Yup, they're a shadow of their former selves.
>
> Orange Messenger is my greatest miss, followed closely by the free Care for
> a year every time you upgraded.
>
> Their data charges are horrendous!

I rarely 'do' data, but I did last month. I was horrified...I'm sure it
never used to be that much!

So come on then, guys...what's the 'best' alternative?

--
Bob Eager
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK:
http://www.mirrorservice.org

"Bob Eager" <rde42@spamcop.net> wrote in message
news:176uZD2KcidF-pn2-lfSzW854pRef@rikki.tavi.co.uk...
> On Sun, 18 May 2008 10:30:27 UTC, "pauls" <pauls@test.org> wrote:
>
> I rarely 'do' data, but I did last month. I was horrified...I'm sure it
> never used to be that much!
>
> So come on then, guys...what's the 'best' alternative?

For data, I'm guessing probably 3 or Vodafone?

3 are the cheapest at £10; Voda's an extra fiver, but their network/coverage
is better.

I've no direct experience of either though, just going off what others with
both have told me.

On Sun, 18 May 2008 12:44:29 UTC, "pauls" <pauls@test.org> wrote:

> "Bob Eager" <rde42@spamcop.net> wrote in message
> news:176uZD2KcidF-pn2-lfSzW854pRef@rikki.tavi.co.uk...
> > On Sun, 18 May 2008 10:30:27 UTC, "pauls" <pauls@test.org> wrote:
> >
> > I rarely 'do' data, but I did last month. I was horrified...I'm sure it
> > never used to be that much!
> >
> > So come on then, guys...what's the 'best' alternative?
>
> For data, I'm guessing probably 3 or Vodafone?
>
> 3 are the cheapest at £10; Voda's an extra fiver, but their network/coverage
> is better.
>
> I've no direct experience of either though, just going off what others with
> both have told me.

I'm really looking for an overall alternative. The data cost isn't
*that* important; low line rental would be nice, only need 150 mins
(perhaps 100), a few texts, a month.

Really I guess the rest is customer service, web access to bills, etc.

--
Bob Eager
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK:
http://www.mirrorservice.org

"Bob Eager" <rde42@spamcop.net> wrote in message
news:176uZD2KcidF-pn2-lfSzW854pRef@rikki.tavi.co.uk...
> On Sun, 18 May 2008 10:30:27 UTC, "pauls" <pauls@test.org> wrote:
>> "Steve Terry" <gFOURwwk@tesco.net> wrote in message
>> news:g0ndts$c0b$1@news.albasani.net...
>> > FT Orange have dismantled all the principles that Hans Snook built
>> > Orange
>> > on.
>> > Gone:
>> > 24/7 CS
>> > Free 0800
>> > Line 2
>> > Everyphone
>> > Wildfire
>> > Equity loyalty bonus
>> > Ananova breaking news
>> > Forward facing CS depts (specialist depts you could direct dial)
>>
>> Yup, they're a shadow of their former selves.
>> Orange Messenger is my greatest miss, followed closely by the free Care
>> for
>> a year every time you upgraded.
>> Their data charges are horrendous!
>
> I rarely 'do' data, but I did last month. I was horrified...I'm sure it
> never used to be that much!
> So come on then, guys...what's the 'best' alternative?
> Bob Eager
>
That's easy, in my case 3, I have 3 PAYT with Stretch 15,
and internet monthly.
Stretch 15 (£15 p/m) gives me 300 anyone mins/text,
and 300 mins to 3 users.
Internet monthly (£5) gives me about 400kbps, 2 GB d/l p/m

I had 3 contract T&T 1100, 600 anyone mins, 400text, 50 pics,
50mins video, and phone chucked in for £35 p/m.
Was very satified with it, but at the moment as i don't have
that much need, i'm simply using 3 PAYG.

If 3 were smart, they'd offer Line 2, most of the phones 3 have
could handle Line 2, and they could upgrade their billing system to cope

Like they are doing at the moment with Skype,
3 could specify which phones they only offer the service on.

Steve Terry

On Sun, 18 May 2008 15:46:25 UTC, "Steve Terry" <gFOURwwk@tesco.net>
wrote:

> That's easy, in my case 3, I have 3 PAYT with Stretch 15,
> and internet monthly.
> Stretch 15 (£15 p/m) gives me 300 anyone mins/text,
> and 300 mins to 3 users.
> Internet monthly (£5) gives me about 400kbps, 2 GB d/l p/m

Can you explain a bit please? You say it's PAYT, but then you give a
monthly cost. How does that work?

> I had 3 contract T&T 1100, 600 anyone mins, 400text, 50 pics,
> 50mins video, and phone chucked in for £35 p/m.
> Was very satified with it, but at the moment as i don't have
> that much need, i'm simply using 3 PAYG.

Same here...too much!

--
Bob Eager
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK:
http://www.mirrorservice.org

"Bob Eager" <rde42@spamcop.net> wrote in message
news:176uZD2KcidF-pn2-UzdNlLDU7ZJu@rikki.tavi.co.uk...
> On Sun, 18 May 2008 15:46:25 UTC, "Steve Terry" <gFOURwwk@tesco.net>
> wrote:
>
>> That's easy, in my case 3, I have 3 PAYT with Stretch 15,
>> and internet monthly.
>> Stretch 15 (£15 p/m) gives me 300 anyone mins/text,
>> and 300 mins to 3 users.
>> Internet monthly (£5) gives me about 400kbps, 2 GB d/l p/m
>
> Can you explain a bit please? You say it's PAYT, but then you give a
> monthly cost. How does that work?
>
You allocate amounts from your PAYT credit to services
i.e. I do a 20quid top up and allocate 15quid to stretch 15
(out of the available stretch 12, 15 18, or 21, which lasts a month)
and allocate 5quid to internet monthly.
(out of the available internet daily, weekly, monthly).

Many other services are also available on 3 PAYT,
it works a lot like O2s "Bolt ons"
Check out the 3 website, or get a catalogue from a 3 shop

Steve Terry

In article <176uZD2KcidF-pn2-yd5l43WCST12@rikki.tavi.co.uk>, rde42
@spamcop.net says...
> On Fri, 16 May 2008 00:26:37 UTC, "Frank Incense" <dmrt46@nospam.com>
> wrote:
>
> > I shall NOT be renewing my Orange contract when its time - Like Steve says
> > 24/7 CS out the window and so is my contract.
>
> I hadn't realised that. Did they tell us? Or do you mean it's still
> '24/7' but only via India?

Lost and stolen is 24/7, everything else is now 8am to 10pm.
--
Regards
Jon

Cheeky wrote:

> Incidentally, should you request a PAC when you cancel or a week
> before the contract expires?

Neither, if you want to keep your number.

Get a PAC, then use it. That cancels the contract.

On Sun, 18 May 2008 18:58:23 UTC, "Steve Terry" <gFOURwwk@tesco.net>
wrote:

>
> "Bob Eager" <rde42@spamcop.net> wrote in message
> news:176uZD2KcidF-pn2-UzdNlLDU7ZJu@rikki.tavi.co.uk...
> > On Sun, 18 May 2008 15:46:25 UTC, "Steve Terry" <gFOURwwk@tesco.net>
> > wrote:
> >
> >> That's easy, in my case 3, I have 3 PAYT with Stretch 15,
> >> and internet monthly.
> >> Stretch 15 (£15 p/m) gives me 300 anyone mins/text,
> >> and 300 mins to 3 users.
> >> Internet monthly (£5) gives me about 400kbps, 2 GB d/l p/m
> >
> > Can you explain a bit please? You say it's PAYT, but then you give a
> > monthly cost. How does that work?
> >
> You allocate amounts from your PAYT credit to services
> i.e. I do a 20quid top up and allocate 15quid to stretch 15
> (out of the available stretch 12, 15 18, or 21, which lasts a month)
> and allocate 5quid to internet monthly.
> (out of the available internet daily, weekly, monthly).
>
> Many other services are also available on 3 PAYT,
> it works a lot like O2s "Bolt ons"
> Check out the 3 website, or get a catalogue from a 3 shop

Thanks, very useful. How have you found customer service?

--
Bob Eager
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK:
http://www.mirrorservice.org

On Sun, 18 May 2008 19:15:37 UTC, Jon Parker <spam@jonparker.plus.com>
wrote:

> In article <176uZD2KcidF-pn2-yd5l43WCST12@rikki.tavi.co.uk>, rde42
> @spamcop.net says...
> > On Fri, 16 May 2008 00:26:37 UTC, "Frank Incense" <dmrt46@nospam.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > I shall NOT be renewing my Orange contract when its time - Like Steve says
> > > 24/7 CS out the window and so is my contract.
> >
> > I hadn't realised that. Did they tell us? Or do you mean it's still
> > '24/7' but only via India?
>
> Lost and stolen is 24/7, everything else is now 8am to 10pm.

Hmmm...by pure chance I've always called within that window. I'm
definitely off, as soon as I can decide where!
--
Bob Eager
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK:
http://www.mirrorservice.org

"Bob Eager" <rde42@spamcop.net> wrote in message
news:176uZD2KcidF-pn2-2PIvqoo9P7Vf@rikki.tavi.co.uk...
> On Sun, 18 May 2008 18:58:23 UTC, "Steve Terry" <gFOURwwk@tesco.net>
> wrote:
>> "Bob Eager" <rde42@spamcop.net> wrote in message
>> news:176uZD2KcidF-pn2-UzdNlLDU7ZJu@rikki.tavi.co.uk...
>> > On Sun, 18 May 2008 15:46:25 UTC, "Steve Terry" <gFOURwwk@tesco.net>
>> > wrote:
<snip>
>> Many other services are also available on 3 PAYT,
>> it works a lot like O2s "Bolt ons"
>> Check out the 3 website, or get a catalogue from a 3 shop
>
> Thanks, very useful. How have you found customer service?
> Bob Eager
>
Not needed them so far, except to port in one of my Orange PAYT
numbers to get the 10 credit quid bonus that 3 offer if you port into them

I did have to call 3CS to remind them to add it.
I would say 3 CS is almost as bad as Orange, but apart from that time
i've not had to use them.
3s online services are fine, i uses them to allocate the data bundles,
and if you want you can also allocate stretch mins, etc, online.

Steve Terry

"Jon Parker" <spam@jonparker.plus.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.229a90b46ddddd0e98968b@news.cnntp.org...
> In article <176uZD2KcidF-pn2-yd5l43WCST12@rikki.tavi.co.uk>, rde42
> @spamcop.net says...
>> On Fri, 16 May 2008 00:26:37 UTC, "Frank Incense" <dmrt46@nospam.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> > I shall NOT be renewing my Orange contract when its time - Like Steve
>> > says
>> > 24/7 CS out the window and so is my contract.
>>
>> I hadn't realised that. Did they tell us? Or do you mean it's still
>> '24/7' but only via India?
>
> Lost and stolen is 24/7, everything else is now 8am to 10pm.
> Regards
> Jon
>
All networks have to offer 24/7 lost and stolen or they wouldn't
be able to justify any losses made with stolen phones.

Perhaps i should have called lost and stolen and complained
that Orange had stolen my service?

Steve Terry

You know, it’s a simple enough question -

“Why are the downloads from my Mobilcast/Melodeo application [provided
by Three] of such low quality?”.

Mobilcast/Melodeo never reply anyway, so I emailed three.

The phone call you hear below is unedited - the third such phone call
regarding this, even after I emailed customer services stating the
problem and saying “please don’t ring me about this, just reply”.

I’m sure everyone will sympathise when I say that I find Indian call
centres to be possibly one of the most unpleasant and frustrating
things to deal with these days, and so I have managed to rid myself
of all banks and companies which use them (explaining why I’m
leaving too) except the damn contract with three (”please wait some
moments [25 minutes] which I check the informations on these details
and then
tell you to use the reset function of your phone even though a key is
physically broken”).

Anyhoo…I started recording about 15 minutes after she first rang, and
before my dinner had finished cooking. So, you’ll hear some cutlery
action in the background. I kid you not, the whole phone call was as
slow and unhelpful as this….

http://www.digitaltoast.co.uk/three-...call-from-hell