Confused, you seem to have contradicted yourself here, unless I have read it wrong.  Firstly, I did NOT buy any phone, it was given to me free from MOBS, 3 are the phone company.  Tony has all my details, so I will at least give him the courtesy to try, I have nothing to lose,nor anyone for that matter.

chris

FYI 3 does not pay that much commision YES the handset is from the retailer but they get 1 hell of a reduced price from 3 !! Plus it is little know that the cashback offers end up coming from 3 to the retailer IN SOME CASES. I have done ALOT of investigation into this. It is not as it all seems. Anyone working for a retailer would not know tis info unless they are high management.

Admittedly some Big retailers get alot more per contract but then thats the networks basically bidding for the contracts and yes the cashback comes directly from them and not the networks. But we are not talking a big retailer here YES they had a few contracts but compared to Bigger retailers it was nothing.

Until you know the complete workings of how these companies work please donot comment me. I mean no disrepect in this post. Even if you was to work at these companies you would not know the full workings or goings on.

Plus online only retailers have no overheads so some work out a per contract commision and just do the leg work no building to retain or pay for and very little staff and can all be done from home. Unless they was a big contract signer they would not be able to afford it.

 Lets work it out roughly

A person signs an 18 month contract at £35 per month  = £630

say for instance themobs offers you say 1/2 line rental for 12 months = £210 they pay from their own pockets PLUS they have to buy the handsets

So that would mean 3 would have to pay them probably just over £300 commision toeven consider Making a tiny profit.

Yes the phones come from the retailer but they still have to buy them. But we're not talking about a phone here but a breach on contract which in the worst case you should be ale to cancel the contract. 3THREE are responsible for maintaning the part of the contract relating to the network side of things so yo could say 3THREE are bound by some of this contract too.

The shop may of gone bust but the SERVICE is still being provided by 3 so they hold some reponsibilty too. As themobs we're acting as an agent for them.

 Tony

Dear All,

I have recently been filmed by the BBC, as part of a consumer affairs program, called X-Ray, which airs on BBC Wales, with regards to the issue with 3 & themobs (for those interested, it airs on - BBC 1 Wales, Wednesday 27th June, 7:30pm).

The BBC have been speaking to 3's PR Office to try and get them to negotiate with customers such that all parties are able to reach an amicable agreement, but 3 have refused point blank to budge on the issue. I, like many others will be forced to pay the full sum of the contract, an amount that I certainly cannot afford.

I feel strongly that the very least 3 could do is allow customers to simply terminate their contracts, at no cost ie. without having to pay the remainder of the contract. However, they are being completely ruthless and I feel, dodging their ethical responsibility towards their customers.

I for one will certainly NEVER deal with 3 again, and I will make sure that I make clear to all my friends and relatives just how immoral this company is.

An interesting point to note is that the lady from the BBC informed me that in their statement to the program (X-Ray), 3 said that they too had been inconvenienced by themobs! The nerve of this company never ceases to amaze me! They are whinging at having to deal with our complaints whilst forcing us to pay sums of money that we cannot afford!

I hope that you have more luck than I have had with this company.

Regards,

Viv

Do your research on the best deals you can get like - half price rentaI or better(no cash back involved).

Try phoning and asking when and how you need to give notice to terminate your contract as you want to make sure you have it in your diaryand almost certainly they will ask why you want to cancel. ( I did notice a slight note of panic - they hate losing out to other networks)

 Tell them why in detail including exactly how much cash back you have lost and you can get a far better deal.. I bet they make an offer  on a vastly reduced rental that goes a long way recovering some of your losses and better than half price too. If you still say you are inclined to cancel they may do even better.

Hi,

          Just like the rest of you, the Mobs have cost me a lot of money in unpaid vouchers, (over £600). 

 However when my contract expired at the end of March '07, I called to cancel my account with 3. 

 A few days later I received a call from their retentions department.  After speaking to the advisor, I remained a little scepticle at the ofeer I was given, though as it was 3 themselves - I gave the deal chance.  The reason being that on the basis I continued with my existing handset -  I was offered talk & text 600 (500 anytime, any network minutes & 100 texts per month).  The tariff itself costs £30 per month, however they offered to apply a £15 credit each month for each of the 1st 9 months & also applied an initial credit of £193.88 to my account.  Working out at approx £3.01 per month over 12 months and the fact the offer was direct from 3, I opted to give it a try.  4 months in, they have applied the £193.88 credit to my account & have so far applied a £15 credit each month as agreed. 

 Though the offer itself had no bearing on the problems with the mobs - It remains worthwhile, even as a 2nd phone.

Hope this helps

NobleH

I am pleased you have a good deal now, but I will be checking with all offers before agreeing to anything with 3 as they have not been very  helpful with this voucher lark, and should they continue to have my custom,I have two mobile accounts with them and although someone is still trying to get my fee reduced he is  having to work really hard, so they are not really helping, but well done to ou and anyone else,but I will not be taking any deals over the phone again from anyone.

c