Help! What are my rights with Vodafone and this issue...

moneysaver1111

Hi All...
Thanks for reading - I'd like your advice for this issue I currently have with Vodafone.
A few months ago, I informed Vodafone that I would be working in Switzerland for a while, and I wanted to check before taking out a new two year contract whether I could use my phone abroad therefore keeping my english number too. They informed me that I could and they said I could also use my contract in Switzerland the same as I could in the UK. Two days later I took out a new contract with Vodafone. I then started working in Switzerland and found out from colleagues that many phone providers have a fair usage policy of around 2-3 months after which you get charged to use your phone abroad. Since Vodafone never mentioned this to me, and I had it in writing that they said I could use my contract the same as I could in the UK, I phoned Vodafone to query it. My colleagues were right and I can only use my contract in Switzerland for 60 days. After many lengthy calls they admitted that they told me the wrong information and would look into a resolution for me probably with me ending the contract and sending the phone back. My question to you - am I within my rights to ask them to honour their original promise? It is a lot of hassle for me to end a contract and send back the phone when I need a phone for communication and will be back in the UK probably every 4 or 6 months needing my UK number. Thoughts?

Carrot007

moneysaver1111 wrote: »

am I within my rights to ask them to honour their original promise? It is a lot of hassle for me to end a contract and send back the phone when I need a phone for communication and will be back in the UK probably every 4 or 6 months needing my UK number. Thoughts?

You can ask what you like.


They can also say no.

mobilejunkie

Follow the forever advice to contact the WRT on the main Vodafone Complaints thread or go round in circles.

Frozen_up_north

I have friends who spend most of their time in Spain, returning to the UK 3 or 4 times a year, their visits are usually spaced out, but they are often in Spain for more than 60 days at a stretch.

Like many ex-pats, they have a dual SIM phone with a local SIM and a UK one. Their UK SIM is currently an O2 PAYG with the basic "Classic" tariff, which is 3p per min, 2p per text. Incoming calls on the O2 SIM are free to receive. So far they haven't been notified they are exceeding the "free" roaming time...

Switzerland is currently included in EU roaming with O2. Three also have the same 3p/2p tariff, but as it's 3G only your choice of dual SIM phones is more limited (many seem to only have 2G in the 2nd SIM slot).

eDicky

Frozen_up_north wrote: »

Three also have the same 3p/2p tariff, but as it's 3G only your choice of dual SIM phones is more limited (many seem to only have 2G in the 2nd SIM slot).

Three UK are not restricted to 3G/4G outside of UK and can roam on 2G.

For the OP, best to follow Mobilejunkie's advice.

esuhl

Wouldn't the terms agreed form part of the contract?


If Vodafone want to cancel the agreement, wouldn't they be liable for "loss of bargain" damages if the OP was unable to get another contract for the same costs...?


I'd be looking at how much extra it will cost you with the next cheapest provider, with a view to demanding that sum from Voda if they break the terms of the contract.

esuhl

mobilejunkie wrote: »

Follow the forever advice to contact the WRT on the main Vodafone Complaints thread or go round in circles.

My experience was that led to even more circles.


Personally, I'd put it all in writing, sent by recorded delivery.

Frozen_up_north

eDicky wrote: »

Three UK are not restricted to 3G/4G outside of UK and can roam on 2G.

Except Three specifically state their SIMs will only work in a 3G (or 4G) phone, which is a different matter to roaming with a 3G phone on overseas 2G networks. In addition the OP would want a working phone on trips back to the UK.

I personally would stick with an O2 PAYG for a second SIM, as their antiquated UK network still supports 2G for the time being.

eDicky

Frozen_up_north wrote: »

Except Three specifically state their SIMs will only work in a 3G (or 4G) phone,

That applies in UK, because the Hutchison 3 UK network has no 2G service. In other countries a 3 UK SIM can connect with and roam on 2G networks, where available, regardless of handset used.

This probably has no relevance to the OP, I was just posting for general info as yours wasn't quite correct.

Goldcrypto

One possible option that may work as already mentioned is having a dual sim phone with both a local SIM and a UK sim along with the Tesco International Calling App.

- The local SIM in first slot can be used just to provide a cheap local data service on your phone
- Then you add your UK SIM in second slot and link to the Tesco International Calling App.

https://www.tescointernationalcalling.com/calling-app/

I have been using the Tesco International calling app as great for free SMS texts in UK and can send overseas free SMS. Also gives free UK calls as long as calling landline or 1p per min mobile and international rates are cheap (no connection charge via app and should also be free when roaming or you may need a Tesco SIM pay as go to get free no connection while roaming to the app - I believe is still free in EU but will need to check). App works just making calls / SMS from it on your phone and receiver gets just as normal from your UK number. They can then call you and SMS you on your UK number free as normal that receives on your phone. Very simple to use.

moneysaver1111

The dual sim sounds like a great idea...but I have an iphone which only has space for one sim.
I havent yet heard back from Vodafone, but I do have it in writing that they told me I could use my contract in Switzerland the same as in the UK. If they end up breaking the contract for me then Im still left without a phone so I think they should honour what they originally told me otherwise they are losing a loyal customer.