Vodafone contract & moving to China

missforlani

Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone can help me. I'm moving to China in a couple of weeks and decided to phone Vodafone well in advance to see what my options were. They informed me that I had to pay £350 to terminate my contract (2 year contract which I'm about 18 months into) so I said no don't cancel it, I can't afford to pay that. So that was fine.

A month or so later my phone stops working and I can't figure out why. So I phone them up and they've cancelled my contract when I specifically asked them not to!!!:mad: So I asked if there would be a fee for that and they said yes so I told them to reinstate my contract, I received no apology for the mistake or anything.

Then about 2 months later I look at my bank account and find a lot of money missing. Check my statement and Vodafone had taken £360 out of my account as a cancellation fee, when I've already told them TWICE I didn't want to cancel my contract as I couldn't afford the lump sum. So phoned them up to find out what on earth they were doing again no apology, oh you'll have to go and do an indemnity claim at the bank. Fine. I asked them if I could freeze my contract as I'm only moving to China for the year. But they're not budging, obviously I signed the contract but i didn't know when I signed it that I was going to be leaving the country! I also have had a few bills that have been over £200 so I would've thought they might have reduced the cancellation fee even, but no.

I'm going to be on considerably less money when I'm in China and can't really afford to be paying my phone bill every month when I can't use it.

Vodafone customer service is shocking. Is there anything I can do to get out of this mess?

Thanks

Vodafone

Hi missforlani,

I would like the opportunity to take a look at your account to see what I can do to help.

If you would e-mail me here I will get back to you as soon as possible. Would you also place WRT135 in the subject title and include your username and a link to this thread please.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

Kath
Web Relations Team
Vodafone UK

macman

Emigrating will not get you out of your contract I'm afraid, you agreed 2 years and that's what they will hold you to.
But if you've only 6m remaining then £350 seems very steep, the early termination fee should be the balance owing on your contract-so what monthly payments are you on-it should be about 6 times that.

ampletime

missforlani wrote: »

Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone can help me. I'm moving to China in a couple of weeks and decided to phone Vodafone well in advance to see what my options were. They informed me that I had to pay £350 to terminate my contract (2 year contract which I'm about 18 months into) so I said no don't cancel it, I can't afford to pay that. So that was fine.

A month or so later my phone stops working and I can't figure out why. So I phone them up and they've cancelled my contract when I specifically asked them not to!!!:mad: So I asked if there would be a fee for that and they said yes so I told them to reinstate my contract, I received no apology for the mistake or anything.

Then about 2 months later I look at my bank account and find a lot of money missing. Check my statement and Vodafone had taken £360 out of my account as a cancellation fee, when I've already told them TWICE I didn't want to cancel my contract as I couldn't afford the lump sum. So phoned them up to find out what on earth they were doing again no apology, oh you'll have to go and do an indemnity claim at the bank. Fine. I asked them if I could freeze my contract as I'm only moving to China for the year. But they're not budging, obviously I signed the contract but i didn't know when I signed it that I was going to be leaving the country! I also have had a few bills that have been over £200 so I would've thought they might have reduced the cancellation fee even, but no.

I'm going to be on considerably less money when I'm in China and can't really afford to be paying my phone bill every month when I can't use it.

Vodafone customer service is shocking. Is there anything I can do to get out of this mess?

Thanks

They have no right to take money out of your account without first an invoice and second with your say so. Get on to your bank and claim it back but mnake sure you tell them that you don't want them taking anymore money and your bank will prevent it.

Make sure they don't charge you VAT as you aren't using the service if you do stop the contract. Also make sure they are charging you the right amount. First drop your plan down each month, that will save you a few quid.

I had a contract with o2 stopped the other week and instead of a £270 final bill they billed me for £5.04. Big mistake on their part but £5.04 i will pay.