Vodafone free iPad deal.

Paul_Cowley

A month ago I got a sales call from Voda offering 20% off my bill. Immediately suspicious I asked what the catch was - longer contract for example. I was assured there was no catch. The contract would not be extended. it was due to 4g and customer retention, if they looked after their customers they would stay for the new 4g offering.

The agent then went on to say I'd get a free iPad. I re-confirmed that I was not going to be charged and I was assured not. I had no need for an iPad but as it was free I accepted.

Roll on billing day and my bill has increased 60%. I called Voda and apparently the extra cost is the new line rental, insurance, data sharer package. I have stated that I agreed to none of these things. Voda insists that I agreed to them all.

I spoke to a Voda manager today who may be the most arrogant customer service agent I have ever encountered. He said that whilst he hadn't listened to the sales call, I had agreed to all charges and by the way I was now in a new 24 month contract.

I have reported the matter to OFCOM and the Ombudsman and have paid for a recording of the sales call. But I am absolutely livid that this has happened. I am no mug and am careful what I agree to, but Voda's sales person has lied to me here. I specifically asked about additional charges and extended contracts and was told that neither applied. The only credit I can give is that it was the most slick con job I have ever been subjected to.

Anyone else experienced this? If not, be very careful if you are a Voda customer and get a call offering a free iPad. It's not free, it's the opposite of free, and even if you ask directly what is in it for them, you will be misled.

I will report back when I have a response from Voda CE office or the Ombudsman.

gjchester

Paul_Cowley wrote: »

A month ago I got a sales call from Voda offering 20% off my bill. Immediately suspicious I asked what the catch was - longer contract for example. I was assured there was no catch.

Ask yourself why would Vodafone call and offer a discount out of the blue?

Chances are this was not Vodafone but a 3rd party trying to drum up business. Vodafone themselves may not have access to the calls, so cannot review them, you need to chase the supplier, who may or may not have been Vodafone themselves.

Paul_Cowley

gjchester wrote: »

Ask yourself why would Vodafone call and offer a discount out of the blue?

Chances are this was not Vodafone but a 3rd party trying to drum up business. Vodafone themselves may not have access to the calls, so cannot review them, you need to chase the supplier, who may or may not have been Vodafone themselves.

No it was Vodafone. It is my Vodafone bill that has increased by 60%.

They said they were calling on a customer retention basis. The mention of the free iPad wasn't made until half way through the call. The opening gambit was the 20% discount.

When I first called Vodafone to query the charges the agent said they'd had a number of similar complaints.

It appears to me that Vodafone has run a sales campaign that has got out of hand and agents have been overstepping the line between slick sales techniques and deception.

Silk

Paul_Cowley wrote: »

No it was Vodafone. It is my Vodafone bill that has increased by 60%.

They said they were calling on a customer retention basis. The mention of the free iPad wasn't made until half way through the call. The opening gambit was the 20% discount.

I agree with gjchester ...what you are describing is classic third party sales tactics. Like this thread the other day on here ..
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4752190

What does the paperwork say that came with the ipad ?

Paul_Cowley

Silk wrote: »

I agree with gjchester ...what you are describing is classic third party sales tactics. Like this thread the other day on here ..
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4752190

What does the paperwork say that came with the ipad ?

There was only a delivery note.

If it was a 3rd party sales team, why would my Vodafone direct bill be reflecting the change? Why also would Vodafone customer services acknowledge that it was one of Voda's sales teams?

I agree though that it sounds like a similar "sales technique"

Silk

Paul_Cowley wrote: »

There was only a delivery note.

If it was a 3rd party sales team, why would my Vodafone direct bill be reflecting the change? Why also would Vodafone customer services acknowledge that it was one of Voda's sales teams?

It's because it's a third party sale thats billed through Voda not the third party.

Do you still have the phone number in your phone that called you to offer the deal ?

Paul_Cowley

Silk wrote: »

It's because it's a third party sale thats billed through Voda not the third party.

Do you still have the phone number in your phone that called you to offer the deal ?

Sadly not, if there ever was a number. It may well have been withheld.

I am surprised that Voda allows third parties to modify my contract with them and execute what is essentially a con. It cannot be good for customer retention surely?

Silk

Paul_Cowley wrote: »

I am surprised that Voda allows third parties to modify my contract with them and execute what is essentially a con. It cannot be good for customer retention surely?

Theres loads of third parties doing sales for all networks not just Vodafone.

Think of Carphone Warehouse

Paul_Cowley

Silk wrote: »

Theres loads of third parties doing sales for all networks not just Vodafone.

Think of Carphone Warehouse

Oh yes I understand that. But usually third parties cannot modify an existing contract that I have directly with Voda. Nor can they see my usage details.

Voda claims to have listened to the sales call, which again would surprise me if it were a third party organisation.

Which makes me believe that it was Voda themselves.

Silk

Paul_Cowley wrote: »

Voda claims to have listened to the sales call, which again would surprise me if it were a third party organisation.

I thought you said earlier "He said that whilst he hadn't listened to the sales call" ?

Paul_Cowley wrote: »

But usually third parties cannot modify an existing contract that I have directly with Voda

They haven't modified it ..it's a new contract

ZhugeEX

Silk wrote: »

I thought you said earlier "He said that whilst he hadn't listened to the sales call" ?


They haven't modified it ..it's a new contract

I think you're wrong Silk. Everything points towards it being a direct call from Vodafone themselves.

Unless the OP is really confused and got the facts wrong.
The best thing to do is to demand a copy of the call (which they have) and get them to listen to it (which you say they have???) and then get them to reverse the changes on your account.

If it is indeed a third party that has sold a new contract then you'd have to deal with the third party.