Big Problem With Vodafone

[jnf1974]

Please if anyone can advise as to what course of action i should take i would be very grateful

In March 2006 I took out a mobile phone contact with Vodafone via the internet. The phone was advertised as having the latest services such as mobile tv, video calling, faster downloads speeds etc by using the latest 3g technology.

Unfortunately when I received the phone I was not able to access these services as 3g was not available in my local area, even though I had checked the 3g coverage on the Vodafone website prior to purchasing the phone.

After contacting Vodafone I was assured that 3g would be up and running within the new two weeks. A couple of months went by and still no 3g I was again told that 3g would be coming soon.

After nine frustrated months I decided to cancel the contract and offered to hand the phone back because without 3g I believed I was paying a premium price for a run of the mill phone. I received no reply from Vodafone apart from invoices. However to my astonishment when I checked my credit file recently I found that I had a default placed against this account.

I contacted Vodafone and they stated I am liable for the remaining rental charges of £149 , however they failed to recognise that I was unhappy with the service.

I really do not know what to do now, because even if I pay these charges (which I do not believe I owe) I am still going to be in default which I know can affect my ability to obtain credit

[DaveC]

Unfortunately the answer is you are liable to pay to the end of your contract. Part of the terms and conditions state that they cannot guarantee signal in every place.

As the monthly payment would be the same whether you had 3G or not (they do not have specific 3G tariffs) provided they supplied you with the ability to make calls and send sms that's about it.

The phone is not part of the contract, in that under law it is yours to keep. However, as the cost of purchase has been subsidized by the network they will want to get that money back

[jnf1974]

THANKS FOR THE REPLY DAVEC

it just seems that these companies can have their cake and eat it. Surely the tariff reflects the cost of the phone and in this case the premium was higher because it was a 3g phone. if i had just wanted a phone that calls and texts i would have purchased a £30-40 payg phone.

I should also point out that i am willing to pay the outstanding balance if vodafone remove the default notice which they have refused to do. I feel this is an unfair leverage that companies can use against consumers.

[DaveC]

Yes. when it comes to Contracts the networks seem to have everything sown up in their favour.

The problem with not paying the outstanding balance is that your credit history may well move from default to something more serious. I would suggest you take advice from someone who deals with such matters

[faza20]

Please if anyone can advise as to what course of action i should take i would be very grateful

In March 2006 I took out a mobile phone contact with Vodafone via the internet. The phone was advertised as having the latest services such as mobile tv, video calling, faster downloads speeds etc by using the latest 3g technology.

Unfortunately when I received the phone I was not able to access these services as 3g was not available in my local area, even though I had checked the 3g coverage on the Vodafone website prior to purchasing the phone.

After contacting Vodafone I was assured that 3g would be up and running within the new two weeks. A couple of months went by and still no 3g I was again told that 3g would be coming soon.

After nine frustrated months I decided to cancel the contract and offered to hand the phone back because without 3g I believed I was paying a premium price for a run of the mill phone. I received no reply from Vodafone apart from invoices. However to my astonishment when I checked my credit file recently I found that I had a default placed against this account.

I contacted Vodafone and they stated I am liable for the remaining rental charges of £149 , however they failed to recognise that I was unhappy with the service.

I really do not know what to do now, because even if I pay these charges (which I do not believe I owe) I am still going to be in default which I know can affect my ability to obtain credit


Hi Jnf1974

I've also seen your post on MSE, and working for Vodafone I'm sorry to read about the service you've received so far.

Either myself or one of my colleagues will be more than happy to look into it for you and hopefully be able to offer some sort of resolution, but to do so we'll need your account details.

If you go to the Contact Us (http://online.vodafone.co.uk/dispatch/Portal/appmanager/vodafone/wrp?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=Page_BOS_ContactUsContent&pageID=PCU_0001&redirectedByRedirectsImplServletFlag=true) section on the Vodafone website, you'll be able to send an email. If you include FIT135 in the body of the text, it will be picked up by someone who can help.