Hostage to Vodafone

helen_marie_2

I recently received an unsolicited call from Vodafone's sales team in Rotherham, offering an upgrade. I said that I would only consider a free upgrade, and they assented. After many mishaps and incompetence on their part, I finally got my phone.

When I received the bill, however, it became clear that the upgrade was far from "free". Not only were there one-off charges for reasons that were quite opaque, but also there was continued charge for 1GB data. I called and had some of the charges reduced, but not removed completely. I was disgusted and decided to change provider,

I asked for a PAC number, but they said I had to return the new handset, which I was happy to do. However, the only means of doing so is apparently a "collections bag" which they ordered for me. After over a month of waiting, no such bag has arrived. I have called them multiple times. The most frequent excuse is that the order has (mysteriously) been deleted, and will have to be re-ordered. How can this happen three times in a row?

In the meantime, I am stuck with vodafone. I cannot get a refund for their overcharging. I cannot leave them to ensure that it never happens again. I cannot refuse payment because my credit record will be tainted.

Halfway through this miserable experience, I started recording my conversations with vodafone in order to have their lies on record. Does anyone have any idea how I can use this as leverage?

Futuristic

Email and leave your contact details along with copy of those live chat history. Wait for a call within a week or two.

Could try this by MSE at the same time too:
http://www.resolver.co.uk/companies/vodafone-complaints

in_the_Cotswolds

When and if the bag does arrive send it back Special Delivery, not Recorded/Signed For. It will cost you extra but it has to be signed for and you can track it online so Vodafone cannot say they haven't received it. The cost far out weighs the possible problems you could have bearing in mind the problems you are having now. And Vodafone are very quick to put a default on your credit file, speaking from experience.

Vodafone

Hi helen marie,

If you still need help with your account, email me via the Contact us form here.

To access the form you'll need to enter the code WRT135.

As well as stating your query in the question box, please also quote "MSE Forum".

Once sent, you'll receive an automated reply with a reference number. Post it on here and I’ll check I've received it.

Kind regards,

Lee

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