Prepay

[AwaitYourReply]

What about a BLACK TAG Sale for Existing THREE customers!

All the offers on THREE Ireland's website for Black Tag Prepay only seem to offer incentive discounts for those thinking of switching from Other mobile networks to THREE. It's not that I don't understand the idea of sales/marketing reaching out for NEW business but it all seems stupid if Existing clients have no incentive to remain loyal with THREE as Other networks, particularly Vodafone are currently offering great deals that can tempt customers like me to leave THREE and bring my current mobile number to Vodafone! 

There should be a sales/marketing incentive to hold on to your existing customers especially if they find attractive deals elsewhere and are tempted to switch!

The Upgrade function which stated I was eligible did NOT result in a better deal when I checked online with THREE! 

No Black Tag Offers for Existing THREE Prepay customers who want to upgrade their mobile handset and stay on Prepay? Why pay more for the same handset with THREE if I can get a more attractive deal by switching to Vodafone!

Don't believe me, check out the web page on below link here:

https://www.three.ie/prepay-offer/

All about new customers switching to THREE and bringing their current number - nothing at all for existing customers at THREE!

Vodafone's Black Friday Sale was getting some positive feedback in a thread contained in the Bargain Alerts section from contributors to Boards.ie yesterday

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2058031922

Zero loyalty shown by THREE Ireland towards your existing Prepay Customers mean customers like me are likely to switch to another network as no incentive to stay with THREE!

[Three_Deborah1]

@AwaitYourReply 

Hi there, as you know, we have different offers running at different times for certain types of customers. All the discounts you've pointed out are for new Prepay customers. There are times across all businesses where prices vary as well as services.

On Three Prepay, you'll have unlimited data and we also have a loyalty app 3Plus where you can get discounts and benefits from so many shops and restaurants, you can get presale codes for events held in Three arena, there's always great competitions on the app along with 3Plus breaks where you can get discounted rates for breaks away.

Don't forget, we also have an excellent Community here where you are welcome to post your concerns, get support from others and find useful info in 3MadeEasy 💪 Not to mention a few competitions from time to time 😊

We've also got you covered with a variety of contact methods. As the slogan goes "You can choose the method which suits you on your terms" Have a look 👉 contact us  

I thank you for posting here as we value all feedback. I've reached out to the relevant team regarding this for future offers and discounts. Thanks again.

[AwaitYourReply]

Hello Three_Deborah1,

Received with thanks your acknowledgement following my original posting on the 3 Community forum.

I realise that THREE Ireland have different promotions from time to time as do all the various mobile networks. It's nice that THREE Ireland have incentives for competitions and concerts at the 3Arena for those who may be interested in such promotions although; that is not something that would be of interest to every customer such as myself.

Why would THREE Ireland website invite "existing customers" to check if they are eligible for an Upgrade, only to find that even if and when they are confirmed as eligible BUT then discover that the price of the new handset is not what was first displayed but significantly higher after they have followed the Upgrade instructions process. It's like a lesson in how NOT to value and show appreciation to your loyal existing customers!

It can be misleading if an existing customer sees the term: Only X Price on Prepay as per the website. I am referring to the below web page display on the THREE website

https://www.three.ie/online/voice/prepay/

Huawei Y6 2019 handset:

Price is €109.99 at THREE for existing THREE customer with an "eligible upgrade" like me!

Price is €  49.99 at Vodafone if I switch to Vodafone & bring my current number from THREE!

It should probably say something like From X* Price on Prepay  where the * symbol used denotes that lowest price quoted is for new customers only who switch and bring their current mobile number to THREE. Right now, an existing THREE customer only discovers this AFTER you click on special offer green ribbon. In other words, they may see the new customer switching price first even though it may not apply to them at all!

I suppose my central point on all this is that I could not really find competitive prices if I was to upgrade my mobile handset as a long time existing THREE customer. Unfortunately the price offers on THREE.ie do not seem to come anywhere close to the same ballpark as the offers I've seen with your main competitor Vodafone. You may say THREE has other rewards & incentives but I am focusing on the large price difference on prepay mobile handsets between THREE and Vodafone who are probably both the biggest mobile networks in Ireland.

Another major price difference is set out in below example.

Samsung Galaxy A20e handset:

€169.99 down to €139.99 @Three (no distinction between new & existing THREE customers 

€149.99 down to €  49.99 @Vodafone for New customers switch & bring their current number

Vodafone Black Friday Sale Offers run from 15th November until 2nd December:

https://n.vodafone.ie/shop/offers/pay-as-you-go-offers.html?c_id=8063239429&c_name=IE-GO-Black+Frida...

Customers like myself would probably prefer to stay with their existing mobile network although; when it comes to upgrading my mobile handset, it is not something I would do on a frequent basis so; I tend to check out what the competition is willing to offer Versus what my existing network is prepared to do to retain my custom. Right now, I am not convinced THREE offers existing customers like me enough in terms of price difference where new mobile handsets are concerned. Perhaps Vodafone and other networks do the same with their existing customers too although; what I am learning is that if a customer wants to buy a new mobile handset on Prepay, they are always best to switch network and bring their number as otherwise they will probably pay more for the privilege every time.

Regards,

A disappointed existing customer who is still considering switching mobile network due to the large price difference for similar Prepay mobile handsets with a rival network.