Vodafone cancelled IPhone Deal

oracle316

Just before Xmas I went through the Mobile Phone Checker website run by a member of the MoneySavingExpert team and ordered the following phone - IPhone4 32Gb, £35/month, 18 month contract with no up front cost - the phone was free.
A fantastic deal which Vodafone have now cancelled stating that the page allowing me to do this was a test page and should not have been visible.
I phoned vodafone and the girl immediately knew what I was on about so obviously I am not the only one who had rung up. She stated that the URL of the page I ordered through (shop.vodafone.co.uk) was not theirs which is obviously incorrect.
My question, can they advertise, agree to the deal by email, then cancel on me saying it is incorrect or should they have to honour the deal as a normal shop would?
Any feedback is greatly received.

Topper1900

This thread may interest you/assist you as it seems the OP contacted Vodafone and they were aware of the deal at the time butl allowed it to remain on their website. I was tempted to also take the same deal but had already spent enough before Xmas!

(Sorry I can't post the link but it is at forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=2942742)

I wonder if the OP bought a phone with the same deal and if they are having the same problems?

I have seen other newspaper articles indicating where retailers have made an error with pricing they have to honor the deal. However I am not sure if they have a legal obligation to do so but if you have had any acknowledgment by email etc confirming the deal Vodafone maybe on difficult ground.

The comments on this thread may also assisit (.php?t=2944286) it looks like you may have to have a close look at their contract wording.

OneADay

If the order was not accepted by Vodafone then they can cancel it.
Confirmation of receipt of order is not enough.

oracle316

Thanks OneADay but I have actually received an email to say the phone was despatched and an email showing me my new number, billing details, etc.
Surely this means they should honour it?
I also should have said that I ordered another phone on the 29 Dec and received an email to say my credit check was complete and the phone would be despatched shortly. To me this implies that they have accepted the contract and again should honour it.
Am I being naive or are Vodafone just trying to wriggle out of a mistake by them?

OneADay

They probably can wriggle out of - technical faults etc online mean a retailer can say no and especially in case of using a third party link.
It would be really down to mega goodwill for them to honour the offer.

They do seem to have 18 month tariff at £35 on their site for 32Gig iphone but comes with a price tag, as you will know.

You could complain to them maybe but legally I think they can say its technical online fault. Different matter if it had been in the high street but then you would have got your hands on phone.

jamiex

Surely if you receive the phone then they can't cancel (once goods are dispatched the offer to buy is accepted).

If they want to cancel the contract then you should be able to keep the phone since you're holding up your end of the deal.

shezdotcom

hi, i got mine cancelled too - i dont understand test pages etc - but sounds like a bit of a blunder to me on their behalf, would love to know how to pursue this further as it has really annoyed me, they have taken some very personal information from me, credit checked me etc and now what am i supposed to think. They wouldnt get away with it on the high street. Whats the point of a website like this when ill fails!!!eh Martin Lewis!????

Topper1900

oracle316 wrote: »

Thanks OneADay but I have actually received an email to say the phone was despatched and an email showing me my new number, billing details, etc.
Surely this means they should honour it?
I also should have said that I ordered another phone on the 29 Dec and received an email to say my credit check was complete and the phone would be despatched shortly. To me this implies that they have accepted the contract and again should honour it.
Am I being naive or are Vodafone just trying to wriggle out of a mistake by them?

Personnally I would send an email to the Chairman at Vodafone asking him to investigate matters and mention that you have already posted an article on this website.

Although it was third party link this simply took you to Vodafone's own website, it didn't look a test site/page to me it does seems like somebody at Vodafone made a error with the price which morally they should stand by in my view.

Basil1234

well most websites state contracts are formed when dispatch of goods occurs. but knowing vodaphone they have a get of jail clause in there alto of websites are now hiding that in there terms buried away i would suggest reading the terms you signed upto first of all then if you find you are correct i would write to head of UK customer services explaining what has gone on and ask what they are going to do about it and in the letter ask them to phone you.
you may find you could be in the right or maybe as a goodwill gesture they will offer you something greatly reduced for the inconvenience but i would write and not email as they prob get million emails a day and a lot get deleted also send recorded delivery then you got a log they have received it and they know you not mucking about also.

currently Jane Taylor http://uk.linkedin.com/in/janemtaylor
send it her at there HQ

shezdotcom

the guy told me on the phone that according to their t&c they can cancel the agrement at any time (i have no rights at all)- its sooo wrong!!!