How does 3's credit check work?

Matt Bauer

How exactly does 3's credit check work? I am wondering because I couldn't order an iPhone 4 online, even though I have pay monthly broadband with them and have had no problems getting contracts with them for phones in the past, which were all fully paid and never had any dispute with them.

I ended up just bringing my business to Vodafone instead.

Anyway, now my sister wanted to get a contract with 3 for an iPhone 4. She went into a shop, and same thing: got rejected. She's ~25, in the same job since graduating with first honors from college, and not an unpaid bill in her life!

If anyone could shed some light into how the credit check works, that would be highly interesting. Of course, perhaps it's all for the best: they might be slightly cheaper, but their service, at least according to other posters, is not as good.

Thor

From what i'm told, They just check the name and address to see if you owe them money, Or have ever been late on payments

Its not a real credit check, As they are not giving you a low so have no right to preform such a check.

I'm with them over a year and had to sign a new contract for the iphone 4 because there was a problem with there upgrade system and the time and it was the only way i could get the iphone 4 without having to wait.

I was then asked for a €100 deposit for the iphone 4, They couldn't really tell me why, But i know alot of people were asked for 400 so its not that bad.

Altough i was misinformed about how long it would take to get it back, Was told it would take 1 month to get it back(right after first payment). Now i find out it will take 6 months. Absolute terrible of them to even ask for it, I have been a great customer and have paid every single bill on time.

Matt Bauer

Thanks. I've never owed them money or even been late on a payment as it all goes by direct debit, and my sister has never even been a customer of theirs, so there must be something else at play?

Thor

Matt Bauer wrote: »

Thanks. I've never owed them money or even been late on a payment as it all goes by direct debit, and my sister has never even been a customer of theirs, so there must be something else at play?

How long have you lived at the current household. I have never really heard them completley declining someone, Normally they just add horrendous deposits. I find there whole credit check to be flawed.

She could always just ring them up and asked them why she was rejected but i highly suggest her not and if they don't want her business then don't give it to them.

Matt Bauer

Thor wrote: »

How long have you lived at the current household.

In her case it's more than 10 years.

And I agree with you. If they don't want her business, she shouldn't give it to them, especially as it seems a lot of people are unhappy with their network.

meathgal2010

Network credit checks are usually based on age, how long you have been living at current address, how long you have been in your current position in work for. Have noticed over the last few years though that they now take into account what industry you work in. For example if you are in construction, finance or work for a compant that has had a lot of redudencies they will ask for a deposit or refuse.

Also if you have had a bill with one of the other networks where payments were late or missed they usually refuse as all the networks share credit info with each other to avoid fraud.

The only other thing I can think of is that she recently got a new number which may have been recycled and the previous owner off that number may owe debts to another network.... it has happened! I reccomend she rings them up and speaks to credit control as they will tell her why they refused her.

Matt Bauer

I'll advise her to give them a call. She's had the same number forever, and was always a prepaid customer on o2, so never had a contract with any of the other networks. I suppose the number might still have been recycled from someone who didn't pay, though?

Edit: I might be remembering wrong, but I don't think 3 ask about what industry you work in.

meathgal2010

Matt Bauer wrote: »

I'll advise her to give them a call. She's had the same number forever, and was always a prepaid customer on o2, so never had a contract with any of the other networks. I suppose the number might still have been recycled from someone who didn't pay, though?

Well if she has had it for a long time chances are slim but ya never know. It is prob due to the fact its an iphone as well. They tend to increase credit checks for people looking to buy iphones to stop fraud but unfortunately genuine customers get declined as well.

Thor

I told them i was a student. They only asked €100, Odd but i suppose fair.

Although the first time i signed up billpay with them i got a phone for 299 and wasnt asked for a penny.

My guess is that you are right. They think people will do anything for the iphone and are rejecting people without merit.

Matt Bauer

Is it possible they may blacklist a whole town or village?

Thor

Matt Bauer wrote: »

Is it possible they may blacklist a whole town or village?

I highly doubt it as there would not be any reason for such actions.

Unless for some reason a town is notorious for skipping out on bills.

Walkman

She will need to write to them as due to the Data Protection Act they will not discuss reasons over the phone. They will ask for proof if ID and the application number to be sent with the letter.

drunkmonkey

Matt Bauer wrote: »

How exactly does 3's credit check work? I am wondering because I couldn't order an iPhone 4 online, even though I have pay monthly broadband with them and have had no problems getting contracts with them for phones in the past, which were all fully paid and never had any dispute with them.

I ended up just bringing my business to Vodafone instead.

If you had went to a store the may have been able to play around with the tariffs and get you the phone without a deposit. The store can also put in a promo code if your already a customer to get you 5 euro off your broadband every month. Applying with the promo code may have helped as well.

If you went for nearly any other phone besides the galaxy and or the
Blackberry odds are you wouldn't have got refused or asked for a deposit.

A straight refusal is very rare. There's something coming up against your profile that's not good. I'd check that out with them as it may be affecting more than getting a phone contract.