Vodafone's Passport/Roaming Charges:Due to misinformation I now have a £160 bill

benaddicott

Over the summer I was lucky enough to be abroad a for several weeks. Normally I would avoid my mobile phone like it was infected but given Vodafone's much publicised suspension of Roaming charges and my Vodafone Passport deal I sent texts and phoned freely under the impression that I would be charged no more than my home rate. On returning home I discovered the massively important distinction between what I had been told in posters, on TV, through numerous texts, on the website and face-to-face in a Vodafone shop [I know I shouldn't have been stupid enough to believe anything from such a place] and what Vodafone passport actually means. It turns out the repeatedly stated phrase 'While abroad' actually meant 'from abroad to the UK'.

I have of course gone through the charming process of complaining to Vodafone but have gained little more than a robotic repetition of what the Passport deal means, very informative but a little late.

Please tell me I'm not alone in this debacle. If anyone has any idea of how to pursue this on the grounds of misrepresentation I'd be greatly appreciative.

DarkConvict

From what i am aware the service is clearly defined. My top result in google was
http://online.vodafone.co.uk/dispatch/Portal/appmanager/vodafone/wrp?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=templateBlank&pageID=OS_0100

With the first line been
What is Vodafone Passport?
Opting in to Vodafone Passport means you'll pay your standard home rate to call the UK from over 35 European countries - and from Australia and New Zealand.

I've not seen much of the Vodafone adverts or spoken to Vodafone about it. if you can view the posters again / re-read any messages you received about it and any terms sent to you about it. See if it clearly defines what the service is and what it provides, and if it doesn't take that to Vodafone.
I.e. For example if you take out accidental damage insurance don't expect it to pay out for theft etc.

Unfortunately it looks like you won't have a leg to stand on as it seems clearly defined what the service provides. You maybe able to get them to do a good will gesture of £50 or so if you keep on their case over it, But please do await advice from others.

TV Advert, (Ireland) - Thanks MarkLS12
Clearly says call home - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3O0nycWZnY

Forgetful

my son phoned uk when we were in transit in france and it was taken from his inclusive minutes

MarkLS12

DarkConvict wrote: »

TV Advert,
Clearly says call home - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3O0nycWZnY

That's an advert for Vodafone Ireland.

I agree with the OP, the Vodafone summer roaming offer was full of restrictions and caveats, it was promoted with the word "abolish" when the changes were only temporary and only applicable to certain services.

DarkConvict

MarkLS12 wrote: »

That's an advert for Vodafone Ireland.

I agree with the OP, the Vodafone summer roaming offer was full of restrictions and caveats, it was promoted with the word "abolish" when the changes were only temporary and only applicable to certain services.

One thing i will certainly agree with from the advert i did see on UK T.V. was the fact it lasted only for the summer wasn't advertised in a clear fashion, but thats just what i can remember. So the word abolish did feel like a bit of a con.

OneADay

I had a vodafone contract up till end of July, and recall getting texts and letters I think which stated it was free for 2 month period only as a special offer.

Vodafone did something different by making that offer then - t-mobile and three chose to change prices straight away and probably lost some custom along the way with people cancelling contracts.

Vodafone

Hi benaddicott

I can see from your post that this didn't come accross to you clearly.

If you send us an email from the Contact Us form with a link to this thread with your details in the body of the text and WRT135 in the subject line (so you route straight to my team), we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Speak to you soon!

Kirsty
Web Relations Team
Vodafone UK