Cheeky Vodafone

MataNui

Techhead wrote: »

Because many (most?) contracts say that you can give notice AFTER your minimum period. If someone gives notice before the minimum period then they will pay an ETC . That is, it's the giving of the notice before the end of the minimum term that is important ; not the date the contract ends.

Once you realise this, all these threads about fees are easily understandable.

By the way I am not saying these contracts are fair, because it makes the contract length minimum term plus however long it takes to port your number/give notice.

A canny moneysaver will reduce cost by arranging to port just after the minimum term.

Not true. Show me a contract that states that. That would make the minimum term 13,19 or 25 months and NOT the actual term stated in the contract. Any contract that actually did that would not be enforceable in court as it breaks the basic principle of clarity which is applicable to all contracts.

If the minimum term is 12 months then providing you end it on that date and you have given 30 days notice it would be unlawful for them to charge you an ETC. In fact i am pretty sure the specific regulations dealing with ETC on consumer contracts state the maximum that can be charged is the remaining balance until the minimum term date.

grumbler

Techhead wrote: »

many (most?) contracts say that you can give notice AFTER your minimum period.

I haven't seen any except Orange's that used to allow terminating within the minimum term without any notice: How to dodge the 30 day cancellation notice with Orange contracts

If someone gives notice before the minimum period then they will pay an ETC . That is, it's the giving of the notice before the end of the minimum term that is important ; not the date the contract ends.

Once you realise this, all these threads about fees are easily understandable.

This is simply incorrect.

mobilejunkie

grumbler wrote: »

What if the T&C say "30", not "at least"?

They do:-

"Either you or we may end this agreement by giving the other 30 days’ notice in writing. Your notice must include your mobile number and your signature or appropriate security details. You must pay the charges during the notice period."

However, it is unreasonable to expect anyone to write to give notice EXACTLY 30 days before the minimum period; for starters, you can't predict when the written notice would arrive - but there are lots of other reasons why that wouldn't be reasonable. The t&c also do not state "exactly". I therefore don't accept that interpretation and when they try to force me to I stand firm and refuse. It can cause aggravation, but it's the principle and it hasn't failed me yet (and I have enjoyed scores of contracts over several years which I ALWAYS end on the precise minimum term date; I also absolutely refuse to pay the same day twice which is another network favourite - e.g started on 21st, pay up to and including the 21st in two years' term!).

lor23

Vodafone have said that I wontnt be able to get my PAC code till the 5th March. Is that correct or should I be able to get from them earlier?, My contract still ends on the 5th March, and I will be with the service till then, and have paid in for till then.

lor23 wrote: »

I am coming to the end of my 12 month sim only deal. I tried to cancel the contract, but faced a absurd situation, before making such a fuss that they backtracked.

I called in to the voddfone call center initially on the to cancel a few days earlier and they told me to call exactly 30 days before in order to time the cancellation with the end of term of my contract.

I duly did exactly 30 days before, but encountered some extreme cheekiness by Vodafone.

As I tried to cancel, they said i would have to pay a early termination fee of 18.50, even though i have already paid the line rental for the month. They told me that to avoid the termination fee I would have to cancel on the same date of the month (5th) that I joined. I duly explained that I am giving the firm 30 days notice as specified on the contract and that February only has 28 days, so I have timed the cancellation with 30 days in mind.

So basically they turn round and say. If want to cancel now i have to face the early termination charge of 18.50, because it is a few days early than the 5th that contract started. The also tell me that if a cancel on the 5th that its less than 30 days notice so I would have to pay another month line rental.

After explaining the craziness of what they were saying and the customer rep going to his supervisor twice, and explaining that they were trying to make it impossible to cancel even though I had paid and am fufilling the full term of the contract without extracting more money from me, they backtracked and told me that there would be a small charge of 49p instead.

I couldnt be bother to argue over 50p. so accepted the 50p charge, but its still very wrong what they were trying.

I have never encounter any mobile firm being so difficult on a cancellation of the contract, just curious if other people experienced the same from vodafone?

MataNui

Lor23. No. that is not correct. Its more vodafone lies. You can actually get your PAC at ANY time. Including when you have several months left to run on your minimum term. They cannot refuse to give it to you and must give it to you (providing you are not in arrears with your bills) either immediately over the phone or by text within 2 hours. Failure to do this is a breach of the regulations. Remind the muppets of this when you call them again. They have to let you leave or port at any time but can charge an ETC if you port out before your minimum term. The maximum for retail (not business contracts) is the balance remaining between the date you cancel (actually end the service) and your minimum term date.

grumbler

Ofcom:

Can my mobile provider refuse to give me a PAC?


What is the process for changing mobile provider?

Vodafone

Hi lor23,

I'm sorry to read about your recent experience.

If you'd like any help from me, 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'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. So I can make sure I've got it 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