Can Orange legally rip you off?

SmartPhoneUser

grumbler wrote: »

I am pretty sure you were told to turn the mobile data off, not data roaming. And you could have done this without calling them and simply RTFM instead.
...

Nope you are wrong, this last time I was told that they should have said that.

I rang them to find out where £14 credit had disappeared to...

SmartPhoneUser

Guys_Dad wrote: »

Data roaming does not equal data usage, so I agree with Buzby.

I am assuming that you have an Android handset. Correct? Some apps have automatic updates. Email uses data as well - I take it that you don't use email on the phone?

I had a similar problem with Vodafone on a basic Nokia which seemed to hit me with 50p per day for no explicable reason.

I know it's annoying, but weigh up your time fretting over the amount you reckon you have lost and decide if the hourly rate is worth it. :beer:

No I don't use email on the phone.

The few apps installed by me weren't set to update automatically.

SmartPhoneUser

prowla wrote: »

So, essentially the handset is supplied with a default config that will use the data allocation without the user intending or knowing about it.

Exactly, they even misinformed me as in how to disable the offending service(s).

SmartPhoneUser

Guys_Dad wrote: »

Well, what's the poit of a Smartphone if all you need is a Nokia basic for calls and texts? (Again, assuming it's an Android).

And if it is, then you will be aware that Android demands that you have a Google Account set up on the handset.

And how do you set up a Google account? Might that not require Internet connection to be set up as a default?

If the handset wasn't set up with a default dat connection, then inexperienced people would be flooding this forum complaining about not being able to set up the handset and isn't it stupid that the handset wasn't set up with data as default so that they could set it up properly.

Damned if they do - damned if they don't.

Having a data connection is different to automatic services using that data connection hourly at a cost. Your analysis doesn't equate because the terms are different!

Notmyrealname

SmartPhoneUser wrote: »

I didn't though, the services they set up on the phone did. I took advice from them on how to stop it too, but they misinformed me and it happened again.

They do not set the services up on the phone, the manufacturer does. These are not Orange specific services. It is up to YOU to enable or disable them.

Notmyrealname

prowla wrote: »

So, essentially the handset is supplied with a default config that will use the data allocation without the user intending or knowing about it.

No. During initial set up it will mention these services and that they use data and will ask the user if they want to enable them or not. As the OP was on a data package, they chose to. And now they're whining because these services took them over their data allowance.

If you can't be bothered to read the manual you deserve everything coming to you.

SaLoGo

Notmyrealname wrote: »

And now they're whining because these services took them over their data allowance.

Not just that...

SmartPhoneUser wrote: »

One month I didn't top up since I had plenty of credit left

As the OP didn't top up they wouldn't have had any data allowance at all!! No wonder their credit soon disappeared!

I have an iPhone which is never switched off and I still use less than 100mb a month! And I've got some right crap on it

prowla

Notmyrealname wrote: »

They do not set the services up on the phone, the manufacturer does. These are not Orange specific services. It is up to YOU to enable or disable them.

That may not be correct - the phone was supplied by Orange, tailored to Orange (including probably an Orange logo on it), presumably locked to Orange, the contract is with Orange, and connections are via Orange.

Rusty!

If you have an Android phone, you will more than likely have set up a Google account on it.

Android phones are pretty much in permanent communication with Google, which is not Orange's fault.

Buzby

SmartPhoneUser wrote: »

I didn't use the data. Full stop!

They set the phone up. Non of my apps had been running, never mind set up as services.

Also I had received advice (from them) on how to stop it from happening after the first time it happened, so I had taken reasonable steps to prevent it from happening, so how did I "screw up".

Are you seriously saying that it's right that you can't run a phone made by them and expect to keep / use the credit added, just because I bought the phone which was set up to do exactly this? Are you biased?

(1) They did not 'set the phone up' - it is provided with a set of applications to make the phone live up to its expectations, facebook, you tube, goodle seatch, maps. ALL to a greater or lesser expend will then call home to provide the usefulness of the apps. If you did not want all this, why purchase a 'smart' phone? If the apps are not required, removing them is a pretty good way to stop them using up data.

(2) Advice from a specialist is of limited value, however if they took the handset, switched data off and said you will no longer incur data fees, THAT would constitute an assurance. For a user, all it takes it a misunderstanding or a wrong option set and the charges roll on. As to how could you 'screw up' - very easily, it is YOUR handset, and it does things under your authority. Just because someone is not aware of what the technology can do does not release them from any obligation to pay any costs incurred.

(3) THEY do not make phones. They are only there to provide a network so your phone can communicate. Clearly it is in their interest that the network is used as often and as much as possible, and the user has to control this and disabling features they have no interest in using. Once your credit is used up, usage stops. Like a leaky tap - are you saying the water co should not charge you for what you used, even though it went down the drain? That argument certainly would not fly!

(4) Biased? Certainly not - only your expectation that you were being soundly ripped off, when if fact it was your unfamiliarity with your purchase that resulted in the costs being incurred.