Vodafone woes

hairymonster2000

I'm aware of Vodafone people viewing these forums so I hope we can sort something out with them. 2 things:-
1. I have a Vodafone branded Samsung mobile phone that is out of contract and have asked Vodafone a number of times for the network unlock code but I get no response. The last time I made a request was at a Vodafone store in the UK five weeks ago.
2. I use Vodafone mobile internet in Spain for which I have a dongle on contract. I notice this month that Vodafone are charging me for two contracts from my bank account. I am only in receipt of one invoice for one of the amounts.

The biggest obstacles are my Spanish not being good enough to get my point across coupled with the general air of can't be bothered by people I've spoken to.

Vodafone

Hi hairymonster2000,

I’m disappointed it’s taking you so long to obtain your Network Unlocking Code (NUC) and I appreciate how frustrating it must have been not knowing why you’ve been charged more this month.

If you’d like to email us via Web Relations Team we’ll be happy to look into this for you.

(When contacting, please quote the code WRT135 in the subject line. In the main message body, please include a link to this thread and your user name. This will ensure that your message comes directly through to my team).

Many thanks,

Jenny
Web Relations Team
Vodafone UK

hairymonster2000

Many thanks for the invitation to supply you with information. This may now be closed from your perspective but leaves me no nearer any conclusion.

Basically, I am being ripped off by Vodafone and any communication sent to them to resolve it is ignored. They do NOT offer customer service and I will never have another contract with them.

I understand the fact that Vodafone Spain may be different to Vodafone UK but at the end of the day, it's got Vodafone on the tin!

What's the saying, make someone happy and they'll tell 10 of their friends, upset them and they'll tell the world!

elissadaniels

Theyre useless lol!

hairymonster2000

That would be an understatement! I don't understand why I should be asked to provide additional details when they know what the answer is going to be, or didn't they actually read the full post. Who knows?

It would seem the only way out is to cancel the direct debit and force them into some sort of action.

At the end of the day, I'm not getting anywhere near the internet speed I was told I would get (500k from a good 3.6M 3G signal) and again, Vodafone have ignored all feedback on this matter.

From this and previous experience, this attitude by the big companies is commonplace here. They simply do not care.

hairymonster2000

I have been requesting further assistance and guidance via the vodafone UK forums but they now just remove my postings and tell me to contact vodafone Spain. Guess what guys, vodafone Spain don't want to know either!! Great service.

This leaves me with only one option, to cancel the direct debit and run the risk of vodafone Spain taking me to court for breach of contract.

Don't buy vodafone.

hairymonster2000

quick update

after having further contact with vodafone spain guess what, they're still not prepared to do anything!!

If you contact them with a complaint, they don't even record it. Nothing but a bunch of robbing bas***ds.

macman

Why don't you just get the phone unlocked at any independent phone shop?-no need to involve Vodafone whatsoever. Usually cost a fiver upwards depending on the model.

Mark_In_Hampshire

Agree with the above. In addition, the "3.6Mbps" is the maximum theoretical speed which few will achieve. For instance we use Three which has the same maximum speed and we get about 2.8Mbps, other people might get 1Mbps or nothing depending on signal strength, how many other people are using it, what's between you and the mast, and so on.

hairymonster2000

Hi macman & Mark from Hampshire, thanks for your comments.

I've used phone unlockers here in Spain and have had quite a negative experience of them. Was quoted €20 to unlock an alcatel which I thought was a bit pricey but I needed it doing so I paid. Went to pick it up on the agreed date to be told to come back the following week so after waiting 2 weeks I was then charged again before they would let me have my phone back. That's the British for you (Scottish actually but hey, many UK expats rip off their own here :mad:).

Additionally, the phone is a Vodafone branded Samsung handset. I've been informed that only Samsung can supply the unlock code - if requested from the network provider!!

In respect of the internet speed, the maximum my dongle will handle is 7.2Mb and in my area the maximum available is supposed to be 3.6Mb. The Vodafone tower is about 3-400yds away and there are no more than 6 buildings between us. Nothing changes even when the dongle is in line of sight so voda are not pushing out 3.6Mb unless the tower is oversubscribed, in which case they should be doing something with the money they are overcharging me apart from putting it in their own pockets.

There is a Movistar tower across town and I can get a constant 4-6Mb download speed from it. Why don't I use that one? My movistar dongle is PAYG whilst the Voda is contract (unfortunately).

hairymonster2000

Well guys, here's an update.
After getting nowhere with vodafone for a year I decided to cancel my direct debit at the bank. This means vodafone have now had 30 months payments from me for an 18 month contract in just 15 months.
I am now getting phone calls from vodafone saying I owe them money, but they won't own up to being vodafone - they hang up when I challenge them.
In my book, vodafone actually owe me 12 months payments.
If anybody knows how to get vodafone Spain to honour their contract please feel free to let me know.
Bear in mind, vodafone will not allow me to post on their forums, they will not answer my emails and, in my experience, they do not keep records of complaint phone calls. I am no longer prepared to call their 902 numbers as they cost a small fortune by the time you get through to them.