Used to have the free 200M data sim but it stopped without notification?

[pwalk]

For the last couple of years, I've had an active free 200MB monthly data sim.
Recently after the online account and app has been updated, I couldn't see my allowance or refresh date. The SIM continued working fine (data and incoming calls as well).

I chatted to support and the agent appeared a bit clueless and claiming this has stopped. I didn't see how this could have been stopped since it was working fine and I haven't heard anything about it from Three. When I confirmed that I can still use data on it (while roaming as well, as it used to), the agent's reply was basically "that's great".

After coming off the chat, it has suddenly stopped.
Now, I understand that the service might have stopped and it was a free service, but to cut it off just like that, without notification and after chatting to support who didn't appear to know abut it, is strange to say the least. For all purposes, this was a normal working SIM from Three, albeit for data only. I'm sure something's wrong here?

[Craiggor]

Just been doing a search for what Three charges for things like calls,texts and data without buying a data pack, and how much data packs cost. After losing the free 200mb and the 3 web site still saying existing customers can still get it, I don’t know what to believe when I’m searching their web site. How much is a text,1 min phone call or 200 mb of data ????? I can’t believe I thing they say.

[ChrisAO]

Back on page 10, in my post I provided  a link to the Current Price Guide. Three seem to mess about with url's to some pages, here's the Price Guide page https://www.three.co.uk/terms-conditions/price-guides/latest-price-guides

Here's the link I posted which still seems to work if you copy and paste the url into a browser -

https://www.three.co.uk/content/dam/threedigital/terms-and-conditions/price-guides/latest-price-guid...

I did also comment that the Price Guide page was not very clear either, that's another point that can be used in any negotiation for compensation/gesture of good will.

and here is a link to the post

https://community.three.co.uk/t5/Network/Used-to-have-the-free-200M-data-sim-but-it-stopped-without-...

If you register your SIM/Account, the App will give you the information about Packs and Add-ons. There are no Calls & Texts included in the MBB Packs or Add-ons.

[UKZiggy]

Well that is the other thing they took away without warning, we were on the 123 plan but now it's standard rates I believe.

Calls 35p per minute
Texts 15p per text
Data 10p per MB

For my usage as I don't use the sim for anything but data is the 24GB data pack that lasts 24months three charge £60 for the bundle but it's £34.99 in Argos but that means a new number.

[shawny]

Three email from Wed stated 

Dear Shaun

Thank you for contacting Three.

I understand you're not happy as we have stopped offering 200MB free data on Mobile Broadband pay as you go sim cards.

Shaun, it was a business decision that from  From 23 May 2022 we removed the 200MB free offer,

Our customers can now use data at the cost of 1p per MB, and if our customers are using calls and text functionality, then they will be charged 2p per text and 3p per min for calls.

I am not being charged as stated, thus raised complaint and escaped to ombudsman

I am being charged 10p for data,  ..35p for calls,   

[UKZiggy]

Yes they quoted you the old rates, and where did they dream up May 2022, unless that is when they stopped it for new customers and promised existing customers would get it for life, honestly they haven't got a clue.
I can't believe they put all that nonsense in writing 😲

[shawny]

So based on this email, I asked for a refund in difference of prices that I have been charged,  and Three won't refund, thus deadlock letter requested...  

[ChrisAO]

IIRC May 2022 was when they withdrew the product to "new" customers.

@shawny you are probably getting those emails from a "bog-standard" (ill-informed) agent somewhere, instead of TALKING to a senior complaints manager!

Amazing how people make life difficult.

[UKZiggy]

I have a feeling, and I could be wrong about this..... but....
I think, Three are given the opportunity to review the Ombudsman complaint and make a last ditch offer, in exchange for a reduced Ombudsman fee if the end consumer accepts the offer.

This is based on:

1, The substantial increase in the offers value (£5-£10 initial offer increased to £50-£60).

2, That having accepted the offer the ombudsman state that if the offer is not acted on, then they can step back in and start the investigation, this indicates the investigation has not started, only a case set out.

It saves the Ombudsman considerable time conducting the investigation and probably ensures the Ombudsman is more likely to side with Three if the consumer has turned down, what can be seen as a reasonable offer.

The truth is the consumers losses are minimal, Three had the right to withdraw this offer, but they should have communicated it, the net result is the consumer has unwittingly burnt through any credit they had in their account and have not been given the time they needed to make alternative arrangements, but those tangible losses are, in most cases minimal.

[ChrisAO]

Perhaps you could tell us where "in exchange for a reduced Ombudsman fee if the end consumer accepts the offer." comes from, is this FACT or your own FICTION?

And I'd also add, I doubt that "Three" are making a last ditch offer as such, as I've suggested several times now, many have not been talking to senior complaints managers and only "chatting/emailing" regular CS agents who are mostly ill-informed. I did considerably better than your £5-£10 back at the beginning of December, so at that time certainly not based on any significant number of (if any) ombudsman complaints as it was only 3 weeks after the changes and in the main, a lot of people hadn't realised what had happened.

[UKZiggy]

If you put you specs on and try reading my comment again you will see the very first sentence I clearly said it was a personal opinion.... So NO it's clearly not based on fact.
You probably should have gone to Specsavers and laid off the sauce before posting that verbal diarrhea.

You are on mute.