Advice regarding phone debt

Nefarious_Chef · 14 February 2011 at 8:12PM

Before I start I would like to ask you not to judge me, I've seen alot of that here.

Last year I had a contract with vodafone and right from the start I've had problems, first the phone they gave me was second hand! (box was open, had sim card inside already, no charger, no protective wrappers and phone was scratched) even when I pointed it out in the shop the people made a load of rubbish up about it, me being a shy teenager I'm not going to make a fuss. The phone didn't function properly and I could never get any answers from Vodafone and then when I missed a payment (intending to pay next day) they cut me off so I couldn't make outgoing calls, sign into the my account site. So it was a nightmare trying to pay it, when I finally did it messed up my payment dates I a realised that i wouldn't get payed in time to pay it and I spoke to them and they refused to change the date! It was like this every month

After a couple of months I lost my job and got fed up with the issues and VF lack of customer care, the crappy phone that hardly worked I stopped paying and haven't spoke to them since.

I am now (& have been since sept/oct) been getting letters and calls from all sorts of companies being really rude to my mum when she picks up the phone (I'm NEVER there when they call) I really can't afford to pay this at the moment as I'm on only £30 a week ema and don't have a job as I'm at college all week. But none of the letters offer a payment plan, they all just demand the money now and the debt is going up by the letter.

I know I have to pay because I signed the dotted line but I feel that I was ripped of and really don't want to pay £800 for the awfull service I got.

I'm a bit lost and I'd appreciate some advice as to where to go next

Let me know if you need anymore info

P.s I don't know if this helps, but when I went to get the contract the lady In the shop was hurrying me saying that the shop was shutting and she chose the phone And plan for me

P.ss sorry for not formatting correctly but I'm typing on my iPod and it's not easy!

laurel7172 · 14 February 2011 at 8:14PM

How old are you now?

How old were you when you signed the contract?

Nefarious_Chef · 14 February 2011 at 8:19PM

Hi I'm 19 and was 18 at the time

Thanks!

laurel7172 · 14 February 2011 at 8:40PM

Then, I'm sorry, but you are really going to have to sort this out. As I'm sure you know, you're wrecking your credit rating and any chance of getting a loan/mortgage, or even another mobile phone contract in the future.

We all made mistakes when we were young. I imagine you're in for some very tough love on these forums now, but somebody *will* know what to do next. I suspect the time to complain has passed (sticking one's head in the sand is usually expensive) and unfortunately you're going to have to pay up.:(

Nefarious_Chef · 14 February 2011 at 8:50PM

laurel7172 wrote: »

Then, I'm sorry, but you are really going to have to sort this out. As I'm sure you know, you're wrecking your credit rating and any chance of getting a loan/mortgage, or even another mobile phone contract in the future.

We all made mistakes when we were young. I imagine you're in for some very tough love on these forums now, but somebody *will* know what to do next. I suspect the time to complain has passed (sticking one's head in the sand is usually expensive) and unfortunately you're going to have to pay up.:(

I acknowledge that I have to pay and I will but I can't at the moment as I have my overdraft to pay by November and my sisters dad has very kindly offered to pay for us to visit him in USA for a month in august and I have to save for that.

Can I not stop them from calling round my house?
I know this sounds stupid, but out front and back door is always unlocked when people are at home
and I read that they can just walk in when the house is unlocked and take what they like, we don't have alot and most of its not mine so I really wouldn't want that to happen.

I'd be happy to pay £5 a month just to keep them away until I finish college and get a full time job

Thanks for your help

dancingfairy · 14 February 2011 at 9:02PM

I would write and complain to them - no matter how old you are you shouldn't have to put up with dreadful service and a second hand phone. Hopefully they will stop chasing you until they have investigated your claims.
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dancingfairy · 14 February 2011 at 9:05PM

I think it's worth complaining but if you do end up stuck with it or just can't face it then send them the telepone harrasment letter - someone will post a link up for you I'm sure - it tells them not to phone and hassle you basically - you can combine this with the no you can't visit me at home letter as I don't give you permission. Draw up a budget and that shows what you can afford and pay that to them every month.
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Nefarious_Chef · 14 February 2011 at 10:54PM

Where could I get these templates from?

stqueen · 14 February 2011 at 11:28PM

Irrespective of what you owe Vodafone (although of course this is very important to get sorted), I think it is downright unacceptable for VF to have given you a second hand phone, open box etc. I would have made much more of a fuss

However like a previous poster said, I'm not sure how much clout you will have down these lines now it has gone so far.

I would still pursue a complaint however as to not compensate for this is truly awful customer service. . .