Mobile phone data roaming

kaye_king

I've resently returned from Turkey after a 10day holiday with my family.
My Son's mobile was cut off on my return, I contacted TMobile and they've instructed me that my Son has run up a bill for £2,100
I checked the mobile phone instruction boooklet before travel and knowwhere in the booklet did it instruct me to turn off data roaming, I've learnt that on my return via this website.
My Son said he was using the Hotel's free WIFI - I'm disappointed that TMobile sent around 4 texts to his phone instructing how to use the phone whilst abroad but not one text to inform of the high rates incurred if you don't turn off data roaming!!

I'm not sure if I've got any legal rights to fight this bill, I haven't got the £2,100.

Does anyone have any advice please?

Thankyou
Kaye

stilltheone

Why should the booklet advise you to turn off Data Roaming? It most certainly shows you how to do so. As to whether you choose to do it, that is up to you.

The cost of using data are on the website for you to check. He clearly wasn't only using the hotel's "free WiFi".

As to your 'legal rights', for what are you hoping? That T-Mobile are to blame for your blunder?

Do you even check the check the cost of Data Roaming before you left?

You can write the the executive office and try to negotiate a settlement.

Perhaps someone else will come along with a better idea.

phatbear

£2100???

I find that amazing!! I've got a perfect credit rating and yet my mobile company wont let me run up anywhere near that kind of bill.

Cant see how you've got much of a defence but try going down the pleading line they may take pity and drop the price of the bill a tad for you

soccermom

Hi Kaye the same happened with us except my son left his phone on a shelf and listened to his music and hardly ever connected to the internet he came away with a bill of £1200.

Vodaphone said that all details were written in the book about charges etc but they weren't , unfortunately theres nothing you can do except they may reduce the bill as a goodwill gesture, we had about £400 (I think) knocked off.

It seems to be Turkey that is the big issue as its not within the european zone are for call charges.

We spent 2 weeks in spain at the same time as the first volcano erruption and hammered my sons phone 24/7 using all kinds of downloads etc and it was £300.

It's a hard lesson to learn we had no idea about the whole data roaming thing, but rest assured the same mistake hasn't been made since.

Trouble is as well they wouldn't let us pay it back in small instalments either we had to pay it off in about 4 seperate payments no matter how much we argued.

Argue for a discount you may get lucky.

phatbear

kaye_king wrote: »

I'm disappointed that TMobile sent around 4 texts to his phone instructing how to use the phone whilst abroad but not one text to inform of the high rates incurred if you don't turn off data roaming!!

I get the same texts when im abroad and they always show the cost of

receiving/sending txts
receiving/making calls
and the cost of data

did your sons texts contain this info?

soccermom

stilltheone wrote: »

The cost of using data are on the website for you to check. He clearly wasn't only using the hotel's "free WiFi".

.

Just in response to this. My sons phone by its nature meant his phone was connected to the internet 24/7 unless you switched it off. So it is possible that a bill can be run up without actually using it and it just sitting there.

Is your sons phone this type Kaye.

Bob_the_Saver

The answer is spelt PAYG

stilltheone

soccermom wrote: »

Just in response to this. My sons phone by its nature meant his phone was connected to the internet 24/7 unless you switched it off. So it is possible that a bill can be run up without actually using it and it just sitting there.

Is your sons phone this type Kaye.

If I want to use WiFi on my BB, I simply turn the Mobile Radio off. No chance to use data then. Takes a few seconds.

soccermom

stilltheone wrote: »

If I want to use WiFi on my BB, I simply turn the Mobile Radio off. No chance to use data then. Takes a few seconds.

I understand that I was just using your post to explain to the OP that if she was a technophobe like me that didn't realise that you had to switch off certain functions on the phone in order to stop the internet running.

So as not to run up the big bills.

Todays phones are sometimes a little too full of gadgets for me to get my head round.

As I said before it's a lesson learnt.

stilltheone

soccermom wrote: »

I understand that I was just using your post to explain to the OP that if she was a technophobe like me that didn't realise that you had to switch off certain functions on the phone in order to stop the internet running.

So as not to run up the big bills.

Todays phones are sometimes a little too full of gadgets for me to get my head round.

As I said before it's a lesson learnt.

She said it was her son. I doubt he is a technophobe.

mrsmasterplan

I always send my provider (O2) a blank message (to the number 21202) - then i get a reply with how much money ive spent and what my current running total is. Also tells me how many inclusive minutes/texts i have left. Very handy!