Vodafone, when unlimited texts arent actually unlimited and charging me £157 !

*Sally*_2

Can anyone help/advise please.

Received a text saying that there was unusual usage on my account and to phone them. So phoned them up and was told that I have exceeded my "unlimited" message allowance on my contract.

My contract actually is 100 mins of calling credit, unlimited texts and 250mb of data. They are trying to say I have used over my text allowance and are trying to charge me £157 as they say unlimited only means 3000 texts and apparently Ive sent over 4000.

Have just come of the phone to someone in customer services and basically have been told that they can reduce this £157 by 30%. I was like No way, I was told unlimited texts on the account so thats what i expect. He then went on to say they can reduce it further and offered a reduction of 40%.

Can anyone please help me. I took this contract out believing unlimited texts meant unlimited and not like 3000 that im now being told. Im worried sick as i just dont have spare money to hand vodafone money, especially since its not my fault. When I took the phone out instore they said it was unlimited texts so unlimited means you can send as many texts as you wish and not be worried......surely ?

Can any Vodafone people help as im quite worried about this.

thank you.

Daz2009

Have you read the small print in your contract ?
Lots of unlimited deals actually have a limit in the small print,not fair I know but life isn't fair.

*Sally*_2

I took this out instore so didnt read small print. They told me texts were unlimited, no mention of 3000 so I took what they said at the time of ordering. Ive took a screen shot of my last bill and it even says on there I have unlimited texts, no mention at all about 3000 texts.
Do you know who I can take it to, I even asked to be put through to a supervisor but he wouldnt and im quite stressed about it.

Buzby

I'm surprised you think 'unlimited' means that - for the last 7 years it has always had a caveat called a 'fair use policy' as for most folk, 3000 IS unlimited - the small print is key, as as you have discovered, there is a limit. This is also to protect users from bulk SMS spamming at minimal cost.

Even the Advertising Standards Authority are happy to allow 'unlimited' claims modified by a fair use policy if 95% of users never reach the limit. So, take their best offer, and be careful in future!

diamonds

Sales person face to face should have not said unlimited without stating fair use policy of 3000.

Emy1501

Unlimited should mean unlimited regardless what is in the small print.

Personally this is a situation that I would really consider fighting in the small claims court if the provider refused to back down.

I cant really see a judge accepting an arguement that unlimited does not mean that. If the limit is 3k text that that should be clear not stuck somewhere in the small print.

The question will be is it fair and reasonable for the average person to believe that unlimited does not mean that. I can't see a judge agreeing with the provider.

Guys_Dad

No time at present to check myself, but do read their t&c. Also, look at ALL their plans and see if any of their plans have a limit of 3000 instead of "unlimited". If they do, then you have an excellent chance of overturning the bill by simply asking if 3000 is unlimited, why have another with 3000?

Equally, if they have any with any number above 3000, then again you have logic on your side.

I must say that over 100 texts a day would suggest "Get a life" to me

macman

That's 133+ texts a day on average! How do you find the time to post on here as well?
'Unlimited' has always been subject to FUP, as defined in your contract.

DevCoder

More like it would be quicker and cheaper to ring the people then send 100 texts / day

Guys_Dad

Is this link of any use to you?

http://forum.vodafone.co.uk/t5/Pay-Monthly-Services/Unlimited-texts-not-really-unlimited/td-p/1226400

From their Tech Team

Hi stacer86,

Thanks for getting in touch. I can appreciate with so many price plans bouncing around over the years, it can be somewhat confusing. Nowadays, pretty much all of our current plans with the exception of some SIM Only offers come with truly unlimited texts. If you'd like my team to check and see if you're on an old 3000 fair usage policy allowance, feel free to contact us using the details I've sent via Private Message. You can find your PM inbox here.

In fairness, hats off to you if you manage to somehow send more than 100 texts a day mind.

MillicentBystander

Again too many posters are taking the company line here. Fact is, it's an absolute scandal that they have been getting away with blatant misselling for years! Why the hell can't they just put 3,000 texts instead of 'unlimited'?? I really don't care if the ACTUAL FIGURE in the 'small print', this sort of practice should have been outlawed years ago.