Vodafone vs a Learning disabled girl!

Techhead_2

Towanda wrote: »

Thank you for your replies, especially those which actually got the point, Vodafone agreed to a payment plan then refused to admit it and demanded that the whole contract be paid in full immediately.

My daughter is paying the £150 demanded of her as I write this.

As to whether or not my daughter should be continually monitored and supported, perhaps those of you who were so quick to judge would like to tell me how?

I am a widow, I have to work to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table, how am I to be in two places at once, or perhaps you think I should commit my daughter into care when I am out? pray tell how I pay for this?
My daughter is a severe dyspraxic with dislexia and discalculia, other than that she is a normal healthy independent minded 21 year old, sadly we live in a society which condemns such people to unemployment and low financial support.

Yes in an ideal world I would be there all the time and support her but again, what happens when I die?

"before you judge him, walk a mile in the mans moccasins'

Those of us with disabled relatives know the daily struggle to be treated equally (especially with the challenges brought by disability). We do not use those challenges for special pleading.

robbies_gal

sorry but saying noone understands is very patronising plenty of people have family members with learning disabilities

all u had ot do was give her a payg phone she should still be rsponsible for topping up etc but wouldnt owe a large sum

Vodafone

Hi Towanda,

Thanks for making me aware of this.

If you'd like me to take a look at things could you email me with your daughter's 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'll take you to the Contact us form on our website. To make sure it reaches me could you also quote the code WRT135 - MSE in the subject line?

Once sent you'll receive an automated reply with a reference number. Could you update the thread with this and I'll get back to you as soon as possible?

Kind regards,

Lee

Web Relations

Vodafone UK

SnowTiger

I think the learning disabilities thing is a red herring, although admittedly one that was created by the OP.

There seems to be two issues here, one is in-app purchases and the other is Vodafone appearing to renege on an agreed payment plan.

Presumably in-app purchases are made via premium rate text messages.

Some mobile telcos will block them or limit the monthly spending on an account. So that might be something for the OP and her daughter to look in to.

I see the Vodafone rep has offered to look in to the other issue.

Cycrow

if you can afford to pay off the bill, then its better to do that than go into a payment plan.

in a payment plan the phone will be locked until all the money owed is payed so you will have no access to the phone until that happens

wantmemoney

Towanda wrote:

In January 2013 she received a bill for £189.20 way above her usual £15/£17 amount. When she brought it to me in tears I investigated and found and amount of £163.50 had been added for purchases from a company called Zong. I later found this amount to be charges incurred via a game on face book for which she had accepted one text. Zong were unwilling to refund the charges.

@Lee
it would appear this problem has been caused because her daughter had been 'signed' up to some expensive premium rate service.

in cases where vulnerable customers are concerned why isn't it company policy to advise them about the premium rate bar.

Where is this option advertised so parents can find?

Own_My_Own

wantmemoney wrote: »

@Lee
it would appear this problem has been caused because her daughter had been 'signed' up to some expensive premium rate service.

in cases where vulnerable customers are concerned why isn't it company policy to advise them about the premium rate bar.

Where is this option advertised so parents can find?

How on earth are Vodaphone supposed to know if one of their customers is vulnerable ?
Are they supposed to ask every new costumer ' Do you have a mental disability ? '
I don't think that would go down very well do you .

keith1950

Next time get her a capped contract from Tesco then there can be no 'mistakes' !

Silk

SnowTiger wrote: »

There seems to be two issues here, one is in-app purchases and the other is Vodafone appearing to renege on an agreed payment plan.

Vodafone didn't renege though unless I read it wrong ?

The payment plan of £60 a month was offered by Voda after the bill in January after a few payments the OP's Daughter missed a payment on 1st June.

It would seem as she defaulted then the whole amount becomes payable

wantmemoney

Own_My_Own wrote:

How on earth are Vodaphone supposed to know if one of their customers is vulnerable ?

lets assume the parent or guardian or OP bloody mentioned it.

@Lee
it would appear this problem has been caused because her daughter had been 'signed' up to some expensive premium rate service.

in cases where vulnerable customers are known to be concerned why isn't it company policy to advise them about the premium rate bar.

Where is this option advertised so parents can find?