3, 3G and Google

I recently had a problem accessing my GMail and looking at Google Maps via my LG Renoir mobile here in the UK.
Did the usual things like switching off the mobile, have a cup of tea, switch the mobile back on.... no luck.
So I phone the 3 main number and get put through to Tech Support.
I ran the gauntlet of the 'security check' but I never give out any password info as I'm not talking money, I'm talking techy.
Well, after a total of 25 minutes which included repeating most of my comments at least twice, we we getting nowhere.  The 2nd Line Tech Support guy said I needed to swap my SIM with another 3 Network SIM as it was a SIM problem.
I told him it had nothing to do with the SIM but was a Google Platform problem and that I was too busy to listen to straw-grabbing, I hung up.
I then broached the problem via the 'Contact Us' web-form on the 3 website; I got an email confirming it was a SIM problem.
A bit of research and a well placed contact in Google proved the situation was other-than the SIM.
So, problem solved. I'm not saying how as I'm not being paid by 3 the do Tech Support.
Moral: look to the www to solve these problems, the techies will invariably have you dancing a jig.