Data roaming mobile charges in usa

Colmarnock

Hi, I'm looking for some advice re a bill I accrued while on a family holiday in Flrida in November.

In the UK I use my iphone which has unlimited Internet usage etc. I took the phone to the states and had Data Roaming activated.

I hear you say "Serves you right" But I honestly did not have a clue about charges. I assumed if anything, I may have accrued a couple of hundred extra with the us going on facebook etc.

However, I was hit with a bill of £3,088.34 on my return and I / We were in total shock and it ruined our xmas somewhat.

I phoned Orange explaining that I wasnt too clear on how the billing worked and was met with a pretty cold response from the agent and then Manager from a Manila call centre who said I will have to pay everything back to Orange. The Manager said I knew what I was paying for. I explained no one in their right mind would do it if they knew the financial consequences.

They said I should wait until I get a second reminder letter in March then contact to arrange payment, but I explained I cant sleep at night and wanted to sort it now. Their response again was that it wont go to the collections people til March so that is when I should phone.

I've sent a copy of my financial position to Orange in Darlington with a letter explaining how ignorant I was and asking for support, but as of yet I have recieved nothing.

I am ashamed and embarrassed with my stupidity and the burden i've put on my wife and kids, but I wonder/hope that someone out there can offer me some advice on how to approach Orange again with a view to reducing the bill.

Thanks in advance.

Colin

TimBear

Unfortunately there's not really much you can do - if you used the data then you are liable for the costs.

Do ask them for a payment plan, however, as they should be able to help you in this way.

Wintermute

If you don't get any response from Orange it might be worth writing to their executave office and see if they can do anything for you.
While you are liable for that insane bill as that's the contract you signed up to I feel that the advice you were given, to wait for the debt to be sold on (and you disconnected) is downright irresponsible, while you may be able to setup an installment plan with them they will harass you until you do that and it'll screw up your credit rating.

DUTR

Colmarnock wrote: »

Hi, I'm looking for some advice re a bill I accrued while on a family holiday in Flrida in November.

In the UK I use my iphone which has unlimited Internet usage etc. I took the phone to the states and had Data Roaming activated.

I hear you say "Serves you right" But I honestly did not have a clue about charges. I assumed if anything, I may have accrued a couple of hundred extra with the us going on facebook etc.

However, I was hit with a bill of £3,088.34 on my return and I / We were in total shock and it ruined our xmas somewhat.

I phoned Orange explaining that I wasnt too clear on how the billing worked and was met with a pretty cold response from the agent and then Manager from a Manila call centre who said I will have to pay everything back to Orange. The Manager said I knew what I was paying for. I explained no one in their right mind would do it if they knew the financial consequences.

They said I should wait until I get a second reminder letter in March then contact to arrange payment, but I explained I cant sleep at night and wanted to sort it now. Their response again was that it wont go to the collections people til March so that is when I should phone.

I've sent a copy of my financial position to Orange in Darlington with a letter explaining how ignorant I was and asking for support, but as of yet I have recieved nothing.

I am ashamed and embarrassed with my stupidity and the burden i've put on my wife and kids, but I wonder/hope that someone out there can offer me some advice on how to approach Orange again with a view to reducing the bill.

Thanks in advance.

Colin

Sorry but yes, not much sympathy from my camp, when you booked the holiday you asked for a price surely? So why is it any different for using your mobile abroad? (ignorance is a rubbish defence) If you asked for the service to be activated, then it is at that point you should have also asked the price.
Best you will probably get is an option to spread the payments or a CCJ. What is confusing though is that where ever you were was wifi not available? and also I thought the networks capped billing charges now.
Good luck though

manxpat

This brings back a painful memory of a holiday in Morocco 3 years ago and a charge on return that was more than the cost of the actual holiday, ouch!

gjchester

DUTR wrote: »

and also I thought the networks capped billing charges now.

Capping applies to the EU only

mrcamp

Like others said, let them know your financial situation, and hopefully they can work out a payment plan with you. I seriously doubt they will wipe out the bill (they may cut it down a little). Bottom line, just be prepared to pay the whole thing, in case they refuse to work with you. After all, you incurred the charges, and are fully responsible for it.

Colmarnock

Thanks guys.

DUTR, I signed up for Data Roaming in 2008 with my old Sony Ericsson (so Orange reminded me) when I went to Poland. Didnt give it a second thought.

Cheers

someone

Colmarnock wrote: »

Thanks guys.

DUTR, I signed up for Data Roaming in 2008 with my old Sony Ericsson (so Orange reminded me) when I went to Poland. Didnt give it a second thought.

Cheers

Don't you have to go into the iPhone and slide the 'Data Roaming' option on for it to use data while roaming, at which point you get a message saying 'this might be expensive' (well words to that effect)

tazdevil01985

someone wrote: »

Don't you have to go into the iPhone and slide the 'Data Roaming' option on for it to use data while roaming, at which point you get a message saying 'this might be expensive' (well words to that effect)

Quite correct ! I am afraid that as most smartphones are always on devices that they use data in the background and if I remember its defaulted as on! Not much that you can really do. You could challenge it but very unlikely you will get anywhere, see if orange will offer a reduction also slim. I cant see why you are not liable for this and you will have to pay

cubehopper

gjchester wrote: »

Capping applies to the EU only

o2 Monthly seem to cap at 40GBP / 50MB (whichever is the greatest) globally http://www.o2international.co.uk/usingdataabroad/PayMonthly.aspx