vodafone next day delivery scam

[way2go]

I purchased a mobile phone from vodafone via their own website on 04/01/05.This has still not arrived by today 16th January. I PAID EXTRA FOR NEXT DAY DELIVERY.When I contacted their customer services I was told that when they returned to work after the Christmas holidays they discovered over TEN THOUSAND orders waiting for them and that they were overwhelmed.The customer service operator expressed his apologies and said the phone would be sent out in about a weeks time but he could not give a delivery date.I contacted them again a week later to ask where my phone was and was given the same excuses. I asked that my credit card be debited for for the next day delivery charge as they had been unable to fullfill this part of their agreement. I was astonished to be told that next day delivery only applied to the day after the goods were despatched.Surely this is incorrect! I go no satisfaction and am now left with no phone yet,and for which I have paid extra when it does finaly arrive. Sick of Vodafone Already.
What is more annoying is that as they said there was a backlog of Ten Thousand orders. How much have they made off of the next day delivery scam? AAAARRRRGGG

[DaveC]

Check with your card company - it should not have been debited until the phone is sent. If it hasn't, cancel your order. If it has, take a copy of the website, including terms and conditions, tl your local Trading Standards

[Gunner]

This isn't really a scam... if they don't have stock/have a backlog then your next day delivery will *obviously* only get the phone to you faster once it has actually been dispatched.

I've ordered off the Vodafone website (my 6230, contract) and had absolutely no problems.

By all means cancel your order though, you're not under any obligation to proceed.

[way2go]

Thanks for the replies.Checked my card DaveC and yes they took the money instantly. Which,If they didn't have the stock In my opinion,is a scam.I phoned my local trading standards and they share your opinion Dave that I should not be charged for goods until they are dispatched.Absolutely,your advice"By all means cancel your order though, you're not under any obligation to proceed" I fully understand but after contacting vodafone yet again today they have promised that the phone will be dispatched later this week and having already spent almost a fortnight having to find public call boxes that work and having to borrow daughters "Sharp GX25 Vodafone" I have had enough.I will wait for my phone till the end of the week.As for vodafone I will not use them again.Hmm! Know about unlocking anyone?