Vodafone contract issues

sam6673

I have just started a new, 24 month mobile contract with Vodafone, along with an existing contract with them that runs until June.

When I signed the contract in store on the 15th of February, I was quoted a set price of 30 pounds + £2.50 for the inclusive 0800/0845/0870 numbers + 35 pounds for the old contract to pay per month. I specifically asked the assistant what the price was going to be and was given this exact quote.

However, I have just had my first bill and was shocked to find Vodafone want a month in advance payment not only for the new contract, but the old contract as well. I was never told this in store and will have difficulty paying this as I had planned my finances around the original quote.

I have contacted Vodafone who admit no blame, even saying that if I wish to close the account, it will cost me over 500 pounds!

Please can someone give me advice as to the best plan of action and what my consumer rights are?

I have set up a direct debit with the company and am worried they will take the whole amount this Friday (the 1st). Will I receive a hideous charge if I cancel the direct debit?

Many thanks for any help.

grumbler

This is a usual story for arrogant Vodafone and they believe that there is nothing wrong in doing this.

Vodafone have stolen £400 from me! Post #12+

Warning!!!!!Vodafone changing billing cycle

Don't cancel the DD because they will trash your credit file(s) without hesitation.
Try borrowing some money short-time as you will pay less next month.


As a side note, with such tight budget and no savings was it really wise to buy the second £32.50 :eek: contract?

sam6673

I had no option but to get another contract as my old phone was broken and totally useless.

grumbler

Really? Loads of new and unlocked phones around costing not more than a few pounds.
Do they call it self-deception?

sam6673

I would ask you not to reply to this if you haven't any helpful comments please, because apart from me telling you that the old phone is totally useless, you don't know the all the reasons why I got the new one. And the fact that at the time they did not say that I would be charged a month and a half in advance, especially after I asked what the first month would be and then after that.

Vodafone

sam6673 wrote: »

I have just started a new, 24 month mobile contract with Vodafone, along with an existing contract with them that runs until June.

When I signed the contract in store on the 15th of February, I was quoted a set price of 30 pounds + £2.50 for the inclusive 0800/0845/0870 numbers + 35 pounds for the old contract to pay per month. I specifically asked the assistant what the price was going to be and was given this exact quote.

However, I have just had my first bill and was shocked to find Vodafone want a month in advance payment not only for the new contract, but the old contract as well. I was never told this in store and will have difficulty paying this as I had planned my finances around the original quote.

I have contacted Vodafone who admit no blame, even saying that if I wish to close the account, it will cost me over 500 pounds!

Please can someone give me advice as to the best plan of action and what my consumer rights are?

I have set up a direct debit with the company and am worried they will take the whole amount this Friday (the 1st). Will I receive a hideous charge if I cancel the direct debit?

Many thanks for any help.

Hi sam6673,

I'm sorry to hear of the difficulties which you've posted about here.

From what you've posted it certainly sounds like your billing cycle has changed following the addition of the second line to your existing account.

However, you've highlighted some concerns here which we'd like to assist you further with as well as picking up on what appear to be some internal training issues.

As such, could you email your details across to us via the Contact us form here quoting the code WRT135 - FAO Lee in the subject line?

As soon as you've sent it you'll receive an automated reply with a reference number. So I can make sure it reaches us could you update the thread with it and we'll get back to you as soon as possible?

grumbler wrote: »

Don't cancel the DD because they will trash your credit file(s) without hesitation.
Try borrowing some money short-time as you will pay less next month.

Hi grumbler,

Although cancelling a Direct Debit isn't a course of action we'd usually recommend we wouldn't record adverse information against a customer's credit file purely based on it.

The important thing for customers to do when they're aware that they won't be able to pay a bill which is higher than anticipated by it's due date is to contact us so alternative arrangements can be made.

I accept that the OP has already made some contact without reaching a successful conclusion with us but they can rest assured that if they get in touch with the Web Relations Team we'll do our best to help them out.

Best wishes to you both.

Lee

Web Relations Team

Vodafone UK

AshRosetti

You should have got a contract via a third party, for example, Carphone Warehouse, and they would have offered you cashback to help you pay off your previous contract. Also every bill is PRO RATA, which means you might pay a month in advance, and if both your phones are under the same account with Vodafone, you will probably have to pay it together, plus VAT which is probably why your bill is expensive. Hope you can find a solution