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3 charging for unlock codes?

  • 21-01-2008 07:43PM
    #1
    x in the city
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,134 ✭✭✭


    right

    these motherfooks are charging me 25notes to unlock a n73? i already paid 170e for this handset and over 1000e of bills over a year

    do they charge everyone for codes?

    i just hung up on the hoor and posted here to await replys:eek:


«1

Comments

  • #2
    Sam Vimes
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,611 ✭✭✭✭Sam Vimes


    yeah its a standard charge from them. some people managed to get around it by kicking up a massive fuss


  • #3
    allen175
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,062 ✭✭✭allen175


    i asked in the grafton st. one and they said that i had to wait for my contract to run out, or if ur 3 pay u have to spent €120 credit to get their phones unlocked for free.


  • #4
    h57xiucj2z946q
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,267 ✭✭✭h57xiucj2z946q


    I made a post about this before ( http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055183827 ), i asked 3 for an unlock code. They said i had gone through 260 euro credit and was entitled to an unlock code once i made a payment of 27 euro.
    So i told them to forget it and that i would get it unlocked myself. They then proceeded to tell me that doing that was illegal and i would be breaking the law.
    There clowns cannot offer a proper service but give hastle to people trying to leave their network.


  • #5
    Sam Vimes
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,611 ✭✭✭✭Sam Vimes


    Lewis Quick Barley wrote: »
    They then proceeded to tell me that doing that was illegal and i would be breaking the law.
    There clowns cannot offer a proper service but give hastle to people trying to leave their network.

    also, they tell lies such as getting your phone unlocked is illegal


  • #6
    x in the city
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,134 ✭✭✭x in the city


    fekin gobshytes, they say you gotta wait xxx working days before we get a code from manufacturers, kicking up a fuss with them now.


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  • #7
    Davy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,340 CMod ✭✭✭✭Davy


    I got two unlock codes last week for free, paying for them was never mentioned :)


  • #8
    kittensoft1984
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,124 ✭✭✭kittensoft1984


    its the normal im afraid!

    its the same with all networks.....pain in the a** but theres nothing ya can do about it.


  • #9
    Cabaal
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,576 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    once again http://www.cabaal.org/log/2006/11/threes-unlocking-joke-pt-i.html

    kicking up should do it I'd say :)


  • #10
    Bluefrog
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,045 ✭✭✭Bluefrog


    Hmmmm X, not so easy to leave is it?

    Their claim that unlocking your phone is illegal and I would ask for that in writing from them to take to COMREG.


  • #11
    Flying
    Closed Accounts Posts: 636 ✭✭✭Flying


    It actually takes about 30 secs to generate this code as I have a friend in Voda and basically you just input the IMEI and Model and out comes the Code.

    It is basically 3 acting the maggot as for charging within contract fine, outside contract not a chance the phone is yours.


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  • #12
    michaelanthony
    Closed Accounts Posts: 741 ✭✭✭michaelanthony


    I paid them 25 euros for unlocking mine and none of their unlock codes worked. They even took it to reflash it and it was still locked. In the end I just gave up and could not get my money back.


  • #13
    x in the city
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,134 ✭✭✭x in the city


    that is unfriggin real man

    what did you do, They will have to get an unlock code fee from me over my dead body


  • #14
    whisht
    Closed Accounts Posts: 857 ✭✭✭whisht


    Thats disgraceful :(
    Paying if you got a phone on Pay as you Go is one thing as its highly subsidised in the first place, but if on a bill and paying them for a year or more, it shouldnt be allowed!!!


  • #15
    paulm17781
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,858 ✭✭✭paulm17781


    I went through a long tedious process for a friend which involved him giving me the 25 Euro. I don't know if he ever got the phone unlocked. I was on to them 3 times for him and got a different excuse each time.


  • #16
    x in the city
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,134 ✭✭✭x in the city


    right, just on the fone to them about my n73 they bring up this bs about waiting 21 working days to get unlock code from manufacturer

    fcuk that ****, i just used the f work a few times and hung up, i can get this unlocked now on line or from a phone shop

    wtf is with three.


  • #17
    neilled
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,234 ✭✭✭neilled


    x in the city wrote: »
    right

    these motherfooks are charging me 25notes to unlock a n73? i already paid 170e for this handset and over 1000e of bills over a year

    do they charge everyone for codes?

    i just hung up on the hoor and posted here to await replys:eek:

    Jaysus lads, for a second I thought legs11 was back!


  • #18
    x in the city
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,134 ✭✭✭x in the city


    LMAO:cool:


  • #19
    pyramuid man
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,196 ✭✭✭pyramuid man


    kittensoft1984 wrote: »
    its the normal im afraid!

    its the same with all networks.....pain in the a** but theres nothing ya can do about it.

    Not all providers charge for the unlock code. They will only do this if you have spent less than the subsidisation they provide on handsets. This is normally €150. After that it is free with o2 anyway. AFAIK it is the same with vodafone.
    Flying wrote: »
    It actually takes about 30 secs to generate this code as I have a friend in Voda and basically you just input the IMEI and Model and out comes the Code.

    Not the case with all handsets. In customer care departments for some networks they have an unlock code generator for some handsets. Mainly for most types of nokias. As for all other makes, these have to be sourced from the network.


  • #20
    Sam Vimes
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,611 ✭✭✭✭Sam Vimes


    pyramuid man wrote: »
    Not all providers charge for the unlock code. They will only do this if you have spent less than the subsidisation they provide on handsets. This is normally 150. After that it is free with o2 anyway. AFAIK it is the same with vodafone.



    Not the case with all handsets. In customer care departments for some networks they have an unlock code generator for some handsets. Mainly for most types of nokias. As for all other makes, these have to be sourced from the network.

    3 are the only network that charge once you've spent the required amount and the only network that charges bill pay customers.

    and I don't think the networks use those code generators that are available on the net. As i understand it, they're usually given the code when they buy the phone and only have to request it if they don't have it for some reason. I've got unlock codes for a variety of makes and models on the spot anyway


  • #21
    pyramuid man
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,196 ✭✭✭pyramuid man


    Well I can only speak from my own experience. First of all they are not web based generators, These are pieces of hardware.

    While they may be given these, they are not assigned to peoples account when the handset is registered to the account.


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  • #22
    Thefirestarter
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 288 ✭✭Thefirestarter


    No i dont think it is the norm as 1 poster said. I had my phone unlocked by vodafone for free no questions asked. They were helpful and the person who provided me with the info of finding my IMEI and how to get to the unlocking menu was a bonus.
    3 sounds dodgy to me


  • #23
    x in the city
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,134 ✭✭✭x in the city


    dodgey

    thats putting it mild


  • #24
    neilled
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,234 ✭✭✭neilled


    My understanding of the regs regarding this is that the service provider must give you an unlock code if requested, subject to terms and conditions.

    An "administration fee" is quite common in the uk ranging from twenty to thirty five pounds.

    Now I would like if someone in the dail would bring in legislation prohibiting the locking of handsets (the french have this i think). I for one am sick of the amount of misinformation that is puported by the various phone shops about this "oh unlocking a handset is illegal" is something I've heard god knows how many times.


  • #25
    nodger
    Closed Accounts Posts: 143 ✭✭nodger


    x in the city wrote: »
    right

    these motherfooks are charging me 25notes to unlock a n73? i already paid 170e for this handset and over 1000e of bills over a year

    do they charge everyone for codes?

    i just hung up on the hoor and posted here to await replys:eek:

    Call them back and demand the unlock code. Don't entertain any discussion about the €25 charge, just insist that they give it to you immediately. Inform them that the code is legally yours (once you have upheld your 1 year contract with them), and that by withholding the unlock code they are breaking the law. If the person you are dealing with still refuses, tell him/her that you want to speak to their supervisor immediately. They will probably ask you to hold, but will come back within a couple of minutes. At this point, they might say that they have the code for you, but will still need to debit your Visa card for €25. Now you need to emphasise the fact that they are breaking EU law*, then ask for their own name and that of their manager/supervisor. They should come back with the code in a couple of minutes.

    This is the experience I had with them about 10 days ago. They're willing to give out the codes for free, but I'd say they're under orders to extract as much cash from innocent punters as they possibly can.

    *This may or may not be factually accurate, but they're in India so how the hell would they know? It's doubtful that some phone jockey is gonna want to risk legal action over €25.


  • #26
    Sam Vimes
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,611 ✭✭✭✭Sam Vimes


    nodger wrote: »
    Call them back and demand the unlock code. Don't entertain any discussion about the €25 charge, just insist that they give it to you immediately. Inform them that the code is legally yours (once you have upheld your 1 year contract with them), and that by withholding the unlock code they are breaking the law. If the person you are dealing with still refuses, tell him/her that you want to speak to their supervisor immediately. They will probably ask you to hold, but will come back within a couple of minutes. At this point, they might say that they have the code for you, but will still need to debit your Visa card for €25. Now you need to emphasise the fact that they are breaking EU law*, then ask for their own name and that of their manager/supervisor. They should come back with the code in a couple of minutes.

    This is the experience I had with them about 10 days ago. They're willing to give out the codes for free, but I'd say they're under orders to extract as much cash from innocent punters as they possibly can.

    *This may or may not be factually accurate, but they're in India so how the hell would they know? It's doubtful that some phone jockey is gonna want to risk legal action over €25.

    they're actually not breaking the law but i know a few people who have kicked up enough of a fuss not to pay the €25.


  • #27
    pyramuid man
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,196 ✭✭✭pyramuid man


    Not trying to stand up for them or anything but ...
    They are perfectly within their rights to charge for an unlock code. They are not breaking the law in any way. They have subsidised the price of your handset and therefore they have technically paid for part of your handset and therefore have part ownership of the handset. Therefore if they want you to get an unlock code, while no-one else charges for it, they are perfectly within their rights to charge for the unlock code as some sort of comeback from the subsidy they have paid on your handset.


  • #28
    pyramuid man
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,196 ✭✭✭pyramuid man


    It really shocks me how when someone or company does something different from all the rest, they have some cheek or they are a pack of crooks. While voda, o2 or meteor dont charge, three are crooks because they want to do this.

    Dont mean to be harsh but get over it.


  • #29
    nodger
    Closed Accounts Posts: 143 ✭✭nodger


    pyramuid man wrote: »
    Not trying to stand up for them or anything but ...
    They are perfectly within their rights to charge for an unlock code. They are not breaking the law in any way. They have subsidised the price of your handset and therefore they have technically paid for part of your handset and therefore have part ownership of the handset. Therefore if they want you to get an unlock code, while no-one else charges for it, they are perfectly within their rights to charge for the unlock code as some sort of comeback from the subsidy they have paid on your handset.

    They may be within their rights to attempt to charge it, but I think most 3 Ireland customers would argue that the €25 unlock charge is particularly harsh when you consider how bad their service is.

    If the OP can get away with avoiding payment, fair play to him/her.


  • #30
    nodger
    Closed Accounts Posts: 143 ✭✭nodger


    pyramuid man wrote: »
    Dont mean to be harsh but get over it.

    It's this attitude that leads to this sort of charge becoming acceptable in the first place. If 3 were that concerned about the €25, they would have added it to the price of the phone at the beginning.


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  • #31
    pyramuid man
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,196 ✭✭✭pyramuid man


    The charge and there services are not interrelated.

    There is no reason for the OP to get the code free at all.

    He can argue that he has spent alot of money with them and that he should he get the code he may continue to do business with them. But as far as I can see, he is someone who is unhappy with some small aspect of the way three do business and he then starts two or three threads in complaint.

    In a previous post he asked how they get away with "shoddy service" but could not explain what he meant.


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