Should I have been charged?

J_B

Bogof_Babe wrote: »

Thanks. Pity you can't just do it yourself (permanently) but have to go through the rigmarole of phoning them.

I *think* it is possible, but you have to get an obliging CS operative

NFH

marmitepotato wrote: »

I didn't even realise I could turn off my voicemail........

The standard way to disable voicemail on most networks around the world is to dial:
##62# to cancel divert on unavailable (e.g. out of coverage, switched off)
##61# to cancel divert on no reply (i.e. it rings but you don't answer)
##67# to cancel divert on engaged

You need to do all three. To check whether the cancellations have taken effect, replace the initial ## with *#. This method works on Vodafone, who adhere to these standard GSM codes, but not on Orange, who automatically reinstate the diverts shortly after you cancel them. With Orange, you have to phone customer services and ask; they make so much money out of unconnected calls going to voicemail that they make it difficult for you to cancel it.

bubieyehyeh

When I was with virgin, I found you could try and cancel your divert from the phone, and it said it did it, but didn't in reality. You can check with *#62#. Virgin had something on their setup that stopped you cancelling the voicemail divert.

After several calls to customer services asking them to allow me to deactivate it myself, I finally got the ability to do so by requesting it via email. However I never did manage to get the feature on a relatives sim card. The call centre staff were clueless about what I was asking for and told me it wasn't possible even though I was able to do it.

So good luck

marmitepotato

Well, I am due to visit my brother in law again in October. He is not coping too well without my sister. I will be sure to ask virgin when they ring me to disable voicemail on both my one OH's phones. Hopefully we won't get caught out with any nasty surprises on the phone bill.

easy

If you are not going to use your phone while you are away, why not just leave it at home? I don't understand why you had it switched on to receive your father's call in the first place?

NFH

easy wrote: »

If you are not going to use your phone while you are away, why not just leave it at home? I don't understand why you had it switched on to receive your father's call in the first place?

Believe it or not, but people don't leave their phones on to receive calls only from one specific person. Phones can receive calls, texts and other communications from anybody.

marmitepotato

easy wrote: »

If you are not going to use your phone while you are away, why not just leave it at home? I don't understand why you had it switched on to receive your father's call in the first place?

Didn't you read my opening post? My sister had just died, I needed to keep my phone on to keep in contact with my husband, daughter, mother and other members of the family who were back here. A very unhappy family event had happened and you want me to turn my phone off?

Bogof_Babe

I omitted to say earlier that I'm so sorry about your loss. You must have been devastated, and no doubt will be for a long time. I can't imagine life without my own beloved sister.

But just wanted to add that I keep a PAYG phone just for taking abroad, as I am nervous about my contract one getting charged for incoming emails or whatever even if I don't open them. That way only my available credit can be spent, so no nasty surprises.

easy

marmitepotato wrote: »

Didn't you read my opening post? My sister had just died, I needed to keep my phone on to keep in contact with my husband, daughter, mother and other members of the family who were back here. A very unhappy family event had happened and you want me to turn my phone off?

How Rude

So I'm expected to know where your whole family were and that they may contact you ?? All I knew was that you didn't want to take a call because it would be expensive - I couldn't see why you had your phone on if you didn't want to take calls anyway.

In any case, in your shoes I would have taken the call. What if your father had had a fall, or taken ill thru the stress and needed you urgently !!

There was no need to be so rude to me. I was going to suggest that next time you go you could get a cheap PAYG phone actually there, so you could take local calls for free, but I don't think I'll bother now

marmitepotato

'I try not to get too stressed out on the forum. I won't argue, i'll just leave a thread if you don't like what I say. '
I refuse to argue with you. My family and myself are getting over a major bereavement after watching my lovely sister die of breast cancer. Please refer to your above post script. Thank you everyone who has helped me. Xx