Huge Wireless Internet Bill For Abroad Use. Help!

Poppy9

n8sjs2bsiudb81267 wrote: »

the idea that some people here think i should just pay up £1000 for what is little over an hour online is stupid

20 mins a day for 8 days is not a little over an hour it's almost 3 hours assuming you haven't underestimated the amount of time you were online (as most people know, time flies when you are online).

Have you checked an itemised bill? How many hours is it charging you for?

You've made a mistake and been foolish. Ranting at other MSE members doesn't help you. Everyone knows it's expensive to use mobiles abroad and was especially expensive when it first became available. What did you think it would cost you to use your mobile BB abroad? Why didn't you check on line?

DatabaseError

That's an awful lot of money just for the privilege of using your own UK based ISP when you're on a different continent...

....looking at it that way....probably cheaper than running some cat5 from your house to your holiday location...though maybe next time you'll use a net cafe or similar

All I can suggest is pleading with them to either reduce the charge, or allow easy payments, though they may be sympathetic towards you if you explain you were unable to read your tariff due to ...erm...stupidity, laziness or something

456789

DatabaseError wrote: »

though they may be sympathetic towards you if you explain you were unable to read your tariff due to ...erm...stupidity, laziness or something

The dog ate it!!! :rotfl:

sporedude

If your not willing to pay it could go down the route of a DCA and possibly harm your credit rating, Using the internet abroad is very expensive.

colinw

I remember looking at the cost of mobile broadband for someone at work. While the monthly charge looked good I was amazed at how much extra they charge not just for roaming but also for data over your monthly allowance. I remember working out it would cost you about £1000 if you were over your limit by about a gig. I told him not to touch it. It was so high I thought they must have made an error but most of them have very similar costs. I suspect your bill is correct as the figures are about the same as the cost I was looking at. I just wonder how many other people end up in the same position.

Rev

I've seen a few threads on her where the provider has, as a goodwill gesture to loyal customers reduced huge bills. So that might be worth a try.

Yes obviously such a huge bill seems grossly excessive when put in context of it 'being a few hours on the net', but as unfair and unjust as you think it may be, you know the charges to be correct, and know you yourself have used the connection it wasn't stolen or used by someone else without your knowledge. So I honestly don't think you have a leg to stand on trying to fight it.

If you could, everyone would be fighting every bill they deemed unjust for any reason at all.

Nostromo

It is a horrendous charge all i think you can do is plead poverty and ignorance with Orange and hope they reduce the size of the bill.
This was exactly the reason i left my iphone at home when in Spain i didnt trust it even with data roaming switched off.

spiro

Given your attitude to people on this forum who have only tried to point out that such a high bill is perfectly valid and therefore due I just hope you dont take the same approach when you phone you service provider and try to negotiate a discount, because thats all it will be a discount, on your bill. If you do I suspect they may take a similar high handed approach and say you have 30 days to pay or we take you to court. Politness and manners cost nothing. Just remember the old adage 'dont shoot the message' because that is all the people are on here who have tried to explain the reason for the situation you have yourself into.

GeoThermal

It does seem excessive for the amount of use. While the OP should have have checked the charges how many people were aware of bank charges but still claim them back as they are over the top? The site is all for claining bank charges back, why not excessive charges from other industries?

spiro

GeoThermal wrote: »

It does seem excessive for the amount of use. While the OP should have have checked the charges how many people were aware of bank charges but still claim them back as they are over the top? The site is all for claining bank charges back, why not excessive charges from other industries?

GeoThermal, it took me less than 5 minutes to check the Vodafone and Orange rates that I posted early in this thread. The originator could have done the same befoe going to the USA. It would be like filling a car up with petrol and then complaining that it costs £10/litre, you should check in advance.