Vodafone change T&C's (Call charges) - Possible contract get-out??

linkjack

I have spent the past 3 weeks trying to get onto vodafone about whats going on and get some clarification, and this might give you all some help.
First, shame to one chap i talked to on the phone. When i first heard about the charge increases, automatic reaction was ring them up.
One poor chap when i mention RPI paniced as I assume he had never dealt with it. Procced to work out something i couldnt put my finger on.....yes, he got that call charges were going up 25% from 10p to 15p.....but somehow, and dont ask me how, managed to think that 08 numbers where going DOWN? so apparently according to him, it was more in favor for me, as they were going up by 25% but going down 33%, so i was 8% in favor........why do you employe these people vodafone? surely maths would be an essential?

Anyway, back to the plot. I rang up a couple of weeks ago, got through to NES team (Non eligible sales Team) and spoke to a lovely woman there. She explained that not many staff knew what was going on, and an email was going round saying what could be offered and what could not be. Said she would ring me back the next day wether or not she had the email to talk to me. Fat chance of that happening i thought, and i was right. A week later rang up, got told of some problems apparently with the lines for NES so wasnt able to make calls, heard nothing. Rang back up today, got through to NES through the call system, and chatted a very lovely girl. She apologised as had to talk to a manager as her first time dealing with this problem. Came back and explain things, which I will do now.

The new prices come into effect as of a few days ago as you all know. Look at your currnet bill, and make a note of it. If you have been using the 08 numbers in effect, then my advice is use the same amount and maybe a bit more! If you havent, then im afraid your out of luck. When your bill comes through next month, ring them up, option 3 then 2 for NES, and tell them that ur bill has gone up 10% from just normal usage due to call charge changes, and they will probably do 1 of 3 things:

1: check with a manager (a fair option for any scared employee)
2: send off your bill to be analysed and see if it is due to the call charges you are 10% increased
3: put you through to disconnections, and hopefully your ticket to freedom!

Hope this helps. Helped me understand whats going on.

Jack

fatboy88

Had another call, after ringing Ofcom who were useless.

They still say it is for !0% of the total bill but from what i have read it is 10% of the affected numbers. They told me to ring Otelo.

Anyone dealt with them before

Chrissybh0y

Nothing we can do now eh lol

baldelectrician

I think Vodafone are taking the michael

The t&c's specify past call usage.
All you have to do is download previous bills (from Vf website) and add a column for new call rates. The important changes are the minimum call charges- going from 5p to 15p. If you make over 20-30 calls after your allowance is used up you could get out of jail free.

The website specifies call and other USAGE charges, so it IS NOT THE TOTAL BILL--- Another error from Vodafone, so this does not inlude insurance or data bundles.

So if your basic bill is £35, but you have a data bundle od £7.50 and insurance of £6.95 then your total bill may be around £50, but you only need an increase of £3.50 or more to leave these bunch of muppets (my opinion- everyone is legally entitled to one of these)

el_payaso

In that statement from Vodafone don't they say in 8a) You may end this Agreement immediately by writing to us if ii) you write to us before the increase takes effect.


Which I'm pretty sure most of us here did? I also think if you simply make £3 worth of non geographic calls (if your on £30 tariff) then vodafone will say changes have only affected you by 75p ( 15 mins at 20p = £3, 15 mins at 15p =£2.25 therefore increase is actuly only £3-£2.25= 75p)

This is how I'm seeing it but if anyone thinks anything else please let me know. I'm not going to give this up and want to get out of this contract now as a matter of principal against Vodafone.

el_payaso

In that statement from Vodafone don't they say in 8a)

8a) You may end this Agreement immediately by writing to us if ii) you write to us before the increase takes effect.



Which I'm pretty sure most of us here did? I also think if you simply make £3 worth of non geographic calls (if your on £30 tariff) then vodafone will say changes have only affected you by 75p ( 15 mins at 20p = £3, 15 mins at 15p =£2.25 therefore increase is actuly only £3-£2.25= 75p)

This is how I'm seeing it but if anyone thinks anything else please let me know. I'm not going to give this up and want to get out of this contract now as a matter of principal against Vodafone.

Chrissybh0y

Lol still not getting anywhere

foxyd3vil12

same here! lol! ive just gone to phones4u and they said they can possibly get me out in october if its not already cancelled. trying my best not to phone non-geographical numbers but it would be in my interest to do so i spuppose.

mite just take my phone abroad at the end of the month! i can just imagine the excuses!!! ha!ha!

Chrissybh0y

Good afternoon Mr CHRIS
Thanks for your email to Vodafone about the cancellation of your account due to increase in call charges.

I understand, you've sent an email, wrote a letter about the increase in call charges to be effective 1st September 2008 however, you haven’t received any reply. Let me see how I can help.

To keep you aware, this year is the first year we have revised prices for over two years, and we are not the only operator to do this - regulatory pressures /interconnection costs have an influence on this.
Having checked your account, I can see that I’ve replied your email on 3rd September 2009 and I’m sorry you’ve received it.

Mr. CHRIS, you can cancel your contract if your bill for usage has increased by more than 10%.

I've calculated your last bill and can confirmed that your call charges is less than 10% and I'm sorry we will not be able to cancel your contract at this point of time.

We reserve the right to increase/decrease our charges from time to time and/or introduce new charges from time to time. If we increase/decrease our charges, we will give you at least 14 days' prior notice.

What I can do for you is I can offer you a 50% discount on your line rental for the next 2 months as a goodwill gesture. Please let me know if you accept the offer and I'll be happy to arrange it for you.

I look forward to hearing from you Mr. CHRIS, and please feel free to contact me for any further queries you may have.

Kind Regards,

















Kimneihoi Lhouvum

Have i lost ?

jimgee

I thought that they were only gonna analyse the effect of the increases on individual accounts after September? It was confirmed for me by CS yesterday that if the call usage charges (not the overall bill) increased by 10% in September over previous months due to the price hikes then people could leave without penalty.

Seems to me that people who don't normally go over their allocation or pay for the internet will be freely able to leave since 08** calls would be the only thing their "call usage" is comprised of.