Warning!!!!!Vodafone changing billing cycle

Guys_Dad

Whilst I agree that the OP letter was OTT, it needs to be read in the context of weeks of frustration from lack of Voda response.

Now I would have written to CEO in moderate business language, but I have a slight sympathy with OP.

I think in this period of financial depression, to hit a customer's bank with a DD almost double the norm is not acceptable. Some customers at least simply can not afford such a hit, living on a hand to mouth basis - see the rise of the "payday loans" adverts on the TV.

They did it to me as well, but I am fortunate to have the cash in my current a/c to wear the increase, but it still p****d me off on principle.

Can you cancel? Read the t&c and see if they are allowed to change billing cycle. Obviously, it could be argued that the change was to your detriment, but only for 1 month and they have given you £25 towards that, so I think you have a result.

But I would ask the knockers if they could imaging for one minute being unemployed as a result of redundancy, with substantially reduced circumstances and perhaps no capital behind you, just how you would feel, having gone through your finances to keep out of overdraft, to be hit with a double deduction in your mobile rental? I am not referring to current OP who had added a phone, but to those who had this imposed with no new phones added.

Voda's arrogance and lack of concern for the current economic climate is appalling.

simax

Wintermute wrote: »

If your budget really is as tight as you're making out then you should really be reconsidering your need for 3 contracts when there's cheaper options available.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

What he said.....

grumbler

PNPSUKNET wrote: »

One thing thats not been mentioned, while you are doing this you credit history is getting trashed. What they bill you for now, wont be billed again

Doing what? Have I missed anything?

CaitlinsNanna

grumbler wrote: »

This was just a guess. Majority of people are desperate to get out of contracts because better deals are available around, but they took a worse one because it came with a new phone.
It is, but it is not clear cut in your case. Someone above suggested that the contract allows them to change the billing period. I don't think that Vodaphone acted reasonably and personally I will do my best to avoid them. However, IMO £25 is more than adequate compensation for taking £50 from your account 1 month earlier.
As a side note, if your budget is that tight I think 3x£30 contracts if far too heavy burden for it. You can get this much cheaper if you don't chase flashy phones coming with expensive contracts



If a company changes it's terms & conditions it has to inform it's customers. I have had no such information, the first I knew was being presented with an overly lage bill.

*This was just a guess. Majority of people are desperate to get out of contracts because better deals are available around, but they took a worse one because it came with a new phone*

I was more than happy with the 2 contracts I had. Neither were 'worse' because it came with a new phone.
Don't most contracts come with new phones?

*As a side note, if your budget is that tight I think 3x£30 contracts if far too heavy burden for it.*

I never once stated that my budget was that tight nor that the contract was 3 x £30

I'm a hardworking Mum & Gran who goes to work (as does hubby)to earn the money to be able to have a phone each & a laptop with internet access.


*You can get this much cheaper if you don't chase flashy phones coming with expensive contracts*

I do not chase flashy phones I have no interest in them at all. My phone makes calls & sends text!
It's about the principals.

*IMO £25 is more than adequate compensation for taking £50 from your account 1 month earlier*

Maybe I would have agreed with this statement had they given me prior warning.

CaitlinsNanna

..............

CaitlinsNanna

Guys_Dad wrote: »

Whilst I agree that the OP letter was OTT, it needs to be read in the context of weeks of frustration from lack of Voda response.

Now I would have written to CEO in moderate business language, but I have a slight sympathy with OP.

I think in this period of financial depression, to hit a customer's bank with a DD almost double the norm is not acceptable. Some customers at least simply can not afford such a hit, living on a hand to mouth basis - see the rise of the "payday loans" adverts on the TV.

They did it to me as well, but I am fortunate to have the cash in my current a/c to wear the increase, but it still p****d me off on principle.

Can you cancel? Read the t&c and see if they are allowed to change billing cycle. Obviously, it could be argued that the change was to your detriment, but only for 1 month and they have given you £25 towards that, so I think you have a result.

But I would ask the knockers if they could imaging for one minute being unemployed as a result of redundancy, with substantially reduced circumstances and perhaps no capital behind you, just how you would feel, having gone through your finances to keep out of overdraft, to be hit with a double deduction in your mobile rental? I am not referring to current OP who had added a phone, but to those who had this imposed with no new phones added.

Voda's arrogance and lack of concern for the current economic climate is appalling.

Thanks for a bit of support
Alll I wanted to do was make sure people were aware unlike myself & recieve a nasty suprise by being loyal to one company. But no, I get ripped apart. People make so many assumptions!

I have not put all the polite emails I sent to them on here or the thread would be a few feet longer.
Not to mention the polite phone call prior to emailing.
I am not a rude person (I work in the hospitality industry & hubby is in the rescue services) it was written (by hubby as I'd become very upset over it all) in the hope that they may sit up & listen but it still gave us the same standard reply which was quite frankly they do not give a damn!

grumbler

CaitlinsNanna wrote: »

Don't most contracts come with new phones?

I don't know the statistic data, but common sense suggests that you can get a better deal without a phone.

I never once stated that my budget was that tight nor that the contract was 3 x £30

My apologies.

*You can get this much cheaper if you don't chase flashy phones coming with expensive contracts*

I do not chase flashy phones I have no interest in them at all. My phone makes calls & sends text

Out of interest, what do you get for £30 and do you really use the allowance?

CaitlinsNanna

grumbler wrote: »

I don't know the statistic data, but common sense suggests that you can get a better deal without a phone.
My apologies.
Out of interest, what do you get for £30 and do you really use the allowance?

You are obviously not listening...
I do not have a £30 contract. Mine is much lower because I do not need it to be an all singing all dancing contract. I have just what I need.
Hubbys is a more expensive & he uses it to it's full potential.
I've explained myself enough I think, not that I had to.
The issue is not about what I can afford or justifying myself to anyone here but about the way I have been treated by Vodafone.
I have not come here for any dissagreements with yourself.

grumbler

What disagreement?
I just apologised for my misunderstanding and answered the question you asked.
My 'out of interest' questions was directly related to your question.

I do not have a £30 contract

OK. It's not a £30 contract. It's "2 older contracts" that you pay about £60 for in total, isn't it?
My calculations are based on your statements that they charged you about £50 for extra 25 days.

Guys_Dad

grumbler wrote: »

What disagreement?
I just apologised for my misunderstanding and answered the question you asked.
My 'out of interest' questions was directly related to your question.

OK. It's not a £30 contract. It's "2 older contracts" that you pay about £60 for in total, isn't it?
My calculations are based on your statements that they charged you about £50 for extra 25 days.

Look - it's not the amount that is the point, it is the one-off double hit on your account that is the point. And in OP's case, hitting every mobile number on her account. Just imagine them doing that to a business that had 100 or more mobiles - the effect on their cashflow/budget planning.

Or some poor guy who was living to the extent of their income. I know that you, Grumbler, are aware of MSE members whose personal circumstances have deteriorated and they are trying to get out of contracts that they no longer can afford. Just think of the result of Voda hitting them with a double whammy one month. Not on.