Mobile phone monthly contract

buscape

I can't believe you think Vodafone can't increase their prices. They can do it as long as it isn't above inflation. OFCOM have allowed this and it's clearly stated in their terms in clause 7.

The fact that this is the third year of price increases by Vodafone should tell you they can (and indeed will) raise prices if they want to.

Guys_Dad

JethroUK wrote: »

Mobile companies do whatever the hell they like it seems - just because they have the power to destroy someone's credit history

but breeching "an agreement" is still against the law in this country and were any cases to go to court they would not have a chance of convincing a judge otherwise

and contrary to some peoples belief - it doesn't matter what mobile companies put in their T & C (small print) - they can put "...and we will sell your first born into slavery" but it will not hold up in court

and like you say - I am glad they are being investigated because they are now acting like Gods and need reeling back in

couple of $multi-million retrospective claims for mal-practice should do it

What a strange post. I am afraid that Jethro is doing his usual, confusing what he would like, from what is now legally the position, however much we don't like it.

Fact:- Vodafone are entitled, as the last 2 years' precedents prove, to raise their charges within the limits set by their legally binding contracts.

Fact:- 99% of the other networks have done the same within the last 12 months and, no doubt, will do so again within the next 12.

Fact:- Numerous MSE members contacted the regulator who gave them the green light, although he is looking into this currently apparently. Don't hold your breath.

Fact:- Jethro writes "but breeching "an agreement" is still against the law in this country and were any cases to go to court they would not have a chance of convincing a judge otherwise". They have NOT breeched any agreement and have law on their side, regrettably.

Jethro, please stop misleading MSE members with your usual mish-mash of aspirations which you attempt to pass of as facts.

Oh, I have read your signature and now see the source of your valuable advice.

Guys_Dad

JethroUK wrote: »

It's NOT

there are no 'types' of agreement - just 'agreements'

cant beleive I'm actually having to point this out

Jethro writes as above.

Lawyers disagree and write, for example,

http://www.lawyerlocator.co.uk/lawyer/legal_issues/get_article/id/204/overview-of-commercial-agreements/

or http://www.lawteacher.net/business-law/essays/different-types-of-business-agreement.php to select only 2 or thousands of examples.

Take your pick - I know whom I prefer.

MillicentBystander

I think what Which? are getting at is that they believe 2 year mobile contracts *should* be fixed. The customer has to commit for 2 years so they really should get a fixed price. It's a bit of a 1-way street at the moment - the punter is committing to paying each month for 2 years but the supplier can't even promise not to increase the price. And in that sense it's not about what's in the T&Cs at all. I just don't see this as a difficult concept?

buscape

The argument on this thread is about whether or not Vodafone are allowed to increase their prices, which they are. No one is arguing that the price increase is fair nor is anyone arguing against the Which? campaign.

I can't help thinking that Vodafone wouldn't be so quick to increase prices if most of their customers were on rolling contracts and had the ability to leave without penalty on 30 days notice.

They're doing this simply because it's an easy way getting some extra cash in.

Buzby

It will not be for the first time that Which? has got hold of the wrong end of the stick, and assumed - incorrectly - that a phone contract brings with it any implied guarantee that your costs for the duration are set in stone.

As we all know, this has bever been the case, and never will be until the service contract morphs into a 'Fixed Term/Fixed Price' agreement. Having seen how they operate, they invariably employ graduates seeking work experience, and when they get proper jobs, any experience they obtained in their post is lost - there is certainly no fount of knowledge that is tapped into, the wheel is reinvented each and every time.

As for customers being on 'rollng' contracts- what IS this animal? All consumers are on never-ending contracts with a minimum term set at the point of sale. As long as the customer knows what their commitment is, they can note when they can leave. The practice of thinking a contract has some notional 'end' date is both misleading and nonsensical.

grumbler

I think it's you who has got hold of the wrong end. The topic is the "fixed price for the minimum term" that is reasonable and has nothing to do with the fixed or open end. If the price is not fixed it has to be made perfectly clear that it is variable. And this has to be done at the point of sale, not buried in the small print that even legally educated people find difficult to interpret.