Vodafone won't compromise tariff, when in financial difficulty

[Deleted User]

chr1s984 wrote: »

All advice will be greatly appreciated

Is there anything else you can cut back on instead of the phone in the meantime? Have you got Sky? Could you cut that off for a bit and go with freeview? Is your broadband with the cheapest supplier, could you reign that in? You say you're with the OU - could you apply for any hardship loans or grants?

And on the subject of moving in with your partner in 6 weeks, did you work out all the costs before taking the plunge and deciding to do it? Has there been some kind of human error in the workings?

fimonkey

Hmmm I agree with OP that some of the critisisms aren't helpful. My advice on what to do will depend upon how much you value your credit record. A friend of mine with vodafone got into difficulties (similar contract and time to run as yours). They simply had to stop paying vodafone bills because vodafone refused to listen point blank to their requests to reduce the contract, and it was more important for them to pay their rent and fuel bills.

Of course once they stopped paying vodafone threatened legal action with blemishes on credit record etc etc. They paid what they could afford (£5 per month). Vodafone then cancelled the contract and sent a massive bill for nearly £800 which was the cost of the rest of the contract for the phone and dongle plus that months call charges. My friend in the meantime bought a cheap pay as you go (had to accept a new number but they weren't too bothered with that). They then wrote to vodafone in full and final settlement offering the costs of the calls and a small token amount towards the rest of the charges.

Of course vodafone refused, so then they posted on these forums and consumer action group. Lo and behold they were contacted by a vodafone representative called Lee who all of a sudden was massively helpful! - The end result being vodafone accepted my friends offer and agreed to no blemishes on the credit record. My friend now manages much better on a PAYG and paid just under £120 (of the £800 bill they received). Now to be fair my friend was in dire straits and the issue with vodafone wsan't bothering them as they had bigger fish to worry about. They provided all the evidence to Lee at vodafone of their other debts. Their attitude to vodafone was "accept this offer and release me from my contract or else join the rest of my other creditors and be paid when I sort out an IVA". TO be fair to Lee, vodafone were very sympathetic once they realised my friend wasn't pulling a fast one. Well done vodafone, but you really do have to do soe legwork yourself and it CAN be done! - but my point about your credit record is that it may not work out the same for you - its a gamble.

Good luck!

mountainofdebt

fimonkey

But I think the difference between your friend's situation and the Op's is that whilst your friend has their back up against the wall, the OP has just got better things to spend his money on now - hence the difference in attitudes.

Perhaps the OP can explain why he feels he should be let out of a contract early because on the face of it, there is no justifiable reason.

DUTR

fimonkey wrote: »

Hmmm I agree with OP that some of the critisisms aren't helpful. My advice on what to do will depend upon how much you value your credit record. A friend of mine with vodafone got into difficulties (similar contract and time to run as yours). They simply had to stop paying vodafone bills because vodafone refused to listen point blank to their requests to reduce the contract, and it was more important for them to pay their rent and fuel bills.

Of course once they stopped paying vodafone threatened legal action with blemishes on credit record etc etc. They paid what they could afford (£5 per month). Vodafone then cancelled the contract and sent a massive bill for nearly £800 which was the cost of the rest of the contract for the phone and dongle plus that months call charges. My friend in the meantime bought a cheap pay as you go (had to accept a new number but they weren't too bothered with that). They then wrote to vodafone in full and final settlement offering the costs of the calls and a small token amount towards the rest of the charges.

Of course vodafone refused, so then they posted on these forums and consumer action group. Lo and behold they were contacted by a vodafone representative called Lee who all of a sudden was massively helpful! - The end result being vodafone accepted my friends offer and agreed to no blemishes on the credit record. My friend now manages much better on a PAYG and paid just under £120 (of the £800 bill they received). Now to be fair my friend was in dire straits and the issue with vodafone wsan't bothering them as they had bigger fish to worry about. They provided all the evidence to Lee at vodafone of their other debts. Their attitude to vodafone was "accept this offer and release me from my contract or else join the rest of my other creditors and be paid when I sort out an IVA". TO be fair to Lee, vodafone were very sympathetic once they realised my friend wasn't pulling a fast one. Well done vodafone, but you really do have to do soe legwork yourself and it CAN be done! - but my point about your credit record is that it may not work out the same for you - its a gamble.

Good luck!

They are helpful though, iphones are not the lowest cost handset to obtain, the guy has responsibilties, his post may help others that may drift into a similar situation thoughtlessly

Hammyman

chr1s984 wrote: »

My question is: were do I stand legally in regards to reducing my tariff?
I read on other posts it's possible
Downgrade your tariff with 6 months remaining is this true?

Legally you signed a contract and are bound to pay it until it expires. You have no downgrade rights with 6 months remaining unless the phone company state it in the contract or agree to it but they have no legal obligation to.

spiro

chr1s984 wrote: »

I still need a contract phone for work

Explain please.