Vodafone bill passed to debit collection agency

sniper786

Hi all,

I had a Vodafone sim free contract whcih was in my name but used by my dad. My dad passed away suddenly in July and in around September i realised the contract was just going so i cancelled the DD but did not know that vodafone required 30 days notice to cancel it - my fault.

So in November i got a letter asking me to pay an outstanding amount so i wrote to them to advise them what had happened and to kindly waive any fees - no reply. I then got another reminder letter and to be honest i have been so busy i did not do anything this time. Then in mid December i got a final warning letter asking me to pay. So i put through a complaint on their website and at the end of December their customer services team phoned me saying they would waive the fee due by 50% and asked me to pay there and then by card but i didn't have my card so i asked them to ring me later in the week. They did ring but i missed the call and have been busy running the family business that i forgot to ring up and pay.

Anyway, today i have received a letter from the debt collectection agency asking for payment and for me to contact them direct. What should i do now as i have never been in debt before. Best case scenario would be that i get the original 50% discount that i agreed with Vodafone and my credit file is not affect but utmost priority is my credit file is not harmed.

Mnay thanks

grumbler

sniper786 wrote: »

...i cancelled the DD but did not know that vodafone required 30 days notice to cancel it - my fault.
...got another reminder letter ...have been so busy i did not do anything ....i got a final warning letter asking me to pay. ...i put through a complaint ....asked me to pay there and then by card but i didn't have my card...i missed the call and have been busy...i forgot to ring up and pay.......

TBH, all you say sounds surreal. Normally, Vodafone don't hesitate to trash credit histories and pass the debts to debt collectors.
Their patience on this occasion is just unbelievable and I am surprised that it took them so long this time.

What you can do? Your credit file has been 'harmed' already and Vodafone had every reason to do this. Pay the debt and wait 6 years for the default to be removed from your credit history. I know, it's not what you want to hear.

Vodafone

Hi sniper786,

Firstly, please accept my condolences.

Whilst I can make no guarantees as to the outcome I'm happy to review matters further.

To enable me to do this could you email me with your details via the link in our profile here?

All you need to do is copy and paste the link into your web browser and it will take you to the Contact us form on our website.

To ensure that it reaches me could you also quote the code WRT135 - MSE in the subject line and once our automated reply arrives update the thread with your email reference number and I'll get back to you as soon as possible?

Thanks,

Lee

Web Relations Team

Vodafone UK

macman

I don't understand the basis of your complaint. The contract was in your name, not your Dad's, therefore the contract did not end when your Dad passed away. Cancelling the DD does not end your contract, it only ends after you give 30 days notice.
Getting a 50% reduction offer in this situation was a frankly fantastic result, but you chose to waive it by not paying, despite a final warning. The debt has now been passed on to a DCO so a default has already been logged.

sniper786

Vodafone_company_representative wrote: »

Hi sniper786,

Firstly, please accept my condolences.

Whilst I can make no guarantees as to the outcome I'm happy to review matters further.

To enable me to do this could you email me with your details via the link in our profile here?

All you need to do is copy and paste the link into your web browser and it will take you to the Contact us form on our website.

To ensure that it reaches me could you also quote the code WRT135 - MSE in the subject line and once our automated reply arrives update the thread with your email reference number and I'll get back to you as soon as possible?

Thanks,

Lee

Web Relations Team

Vodafone UK

Hi the email reference is
#10919845

spacey2012

Find the point they cut the service off.
They can not expect to be paid beyond the service they provided.
The "rep" wont tell you this.

gjchester

spacey2012 wrote: »

Find the point they cut the service off.
They can not expect to be paid beyond the service they provided.
The "rep" wont tell you this.

If it's less then the minimum term you may find they can and will charge you for the full term.

The OP stopped the DD so became the one at default not Vodafone, and hence full early termination fee charges may apply.

visidigi

spacey2012 wrote: »

Find the point they cut the service off.
They can not expect to be paid beyond the service they provided.
The "rep" wont tell you this.

Absolute rubbish (again!)

If there is a contracted period then the OP must pay.

Vodafone

sniper786 wrote: »

Hi the email reference is
#10919845

Hi sniper786,

Thanks for coming back to me.

Having checked our emails I can confirm that I've got yours and will get back to you as soon as possible.

Kind regards,

Lee

Web Relations Team

Vodafone UK