Vodafone "upgrade" contract fixed term but not price - where do I stand?

TelK

Vodafone emailed offer of cheaper, faster broadband contract as current one ending in new year. Signed up after two hours online chat, then noticed phrase "Prices may change during your contract. 24 Months minimum term." Doesn't sound right to me. Before I start another two hour chat session, surely any material alteration of terms must give me a take it or leave it option? Any advice or thoughts welcome. Thanks.

Neil_Jones

TelK said:

Vodafone emailed offer of cheaper, faster broadband contract as current one ending in new year. Signed up after two hours online chat, then noticed phrase "Prices may change during your contract. 24 Months minimum term." Doesn't sound right to me. Before I start another two hour chat session, surely any material alteration of terms must give me a take it or leave it option? Any advice or thoughts welcome. Thanks.

Not unique to Vodafone, same clause appears in Sky's range of products too.  And probably others too.

Check the market and make use of your cooling off period.

macman

The majority of telcom contracts are not fixed price. TalkTalk is the only exception that I know of. It's not a 'major alteration of terms'. It's a term that you failed to read.
If you want to cancel, then just use your cooling off period.

bill888

 "Prices may change during your contract. 24 Months minimum term.

It is normal.  Check the small print and if it specifically states the price rise is in line with CPI or RPI, then you have no right to terminate the contract without paying penalties.

https://www.vodafone.co.uk/pricechanges

glennevis

OP I can see where you're coming from.  Vodafone WERE doing fixed-price 18 month contracts with no RPI/CPI increase when I joined them 16 months ago. They must have jumped on the bandwagon since then.

Anyway it's not a material change to your existing contract because you've now been persuaded to sign a new contract which supercedes your old contract. Hope you're still within the cooling off period.

TelK

Thanks folks! Vodafone confirmed that a) the previous contract is voided and can't be reinstated (well they could if we both wanted to, obviously); and b) the monthly charge cannot be changed without my consent, otherwise the new contract is voided.

macman

It can be changed without your consent, but you can leave without penalty if they impose an increase.