Vodafone rejecting applications for social tariff

pegem

Similar has happen to me. Despite having an excellent credit rating, (I've checked!) I have failed the Vodaphone Credit Check when applying for Social Tariff. Why? the company is a risk for all of £12 per month on a rolling 30 day contract. 

In my opinion, there should not be a credit check done on these type of contracts given that they are designed to help the less well off.

Or are Vodaphone declining customers just because it suits them!

iniltous

TBH , it’s an odd one , Vodafone don’t have any obligation to offer a social tariff, the fact they do isn’t forced upon them , presumably they see it as advantageous for their own reasons, so if they decide to offer it , it seems strange to then put up obstacles, unless of course it’s simply a marketing strategy, they can ‘crow’ about being socially responsible and understanding that some customers may have reason to need a discounted rate , but chances are every social tariff customer costs VF money , so they don’t want to encourage take up.
BT are the only provider required to offer a social tariff, ( with the possible exception of KCOM in Hull where they are the  former monopoly company  ) 

Jon_01

I never knew such a thing existed!

Can I just jump in with a question?

A friend of mine gets PiP, as far as I can see Voda are the only supplier to offer that in their tariff. Is that right?

Thanks.

bristolleedsfan

Jon_01 said:

I never knew such a thing existed!

Can I just jump in with a question?

A friend of mine gets PiP, as far as I can see Voda are the only supplier to offer that in their tariff. Is that right?

Thanks.

https://www.socialtariff.co.uk/broadband/vodafone-broadband/

Vodafone are – thankfully – one of the better companies at outlining their eligibility requirements… To receive the social tariff discount and to get the “Essentials” package from Vodafone, you need to be in receipt of ANY ONE of the following:

• Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Universal Credit (UC)
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/compare-broadband-deals/broadband-social-tariffs/

Jon_01

Thank you.  My mate applied to Voda for the tariff yesterday.  I know he has a very good credit score, so I'll report back if they pass him or not...

iniltous

The entire point of the OP is the fact that VF on the face are offering a social tariff but have rejected an apparently valid application, not much being one of ‘the better companies’ outlining the eligibility criteria if they then arbitrarily reject the application 

wild666

Maybe they've put a limit on the numbers they will allow on the social tariff, that's why they are rejecting applications! The other reason could be the address rather than the person has had people at the address default on payments although I believe the credit checks are on the person not the address.

Jon_01

wild666 said:

Maybe they've put a limit on the numbers they will allow on the social tariff, that's why they are rejecting applications! The other reason could be the address rather than the person has had people at the address default on payments although I believe the credit checks are on the person not the address.

I was thinking the same thing. But rather dishonest to claim that people are failing the credit check if that is the case!

My friend applied 4 days ago. Good credit, never had a black mark.  

They also claim to call back 'within 5 working days' and nothing so far!

Jon_01

Just to update everyone that's still reading this thread...

My friend applied 7 days ago. No call from Voda (they say they'll call back within 5 days).

He called them and was told that the team dealing with Essentials is 'back office' and can't be contacted??? They can only call out.

The best advice the front line agent could offer was to apply again!

I had a quick seach and found the thread below on the Voda forum. This was just after Essentials was rolled out, but it does look like it was a complete shambles with nowhere near enough staff to properly manage it.

At first glance, it would appear that they're doing lip service to the idea and that's about it.

https://forum.vodafone.co.uk/t5/Other-broadband-queries/Applied-for-Vodafone-Essentials-Broadband-over-TWO-MONTHS-ago/td-p/2726893

beddo

I'd forgotten about this thread, thank you everyone that replied.
For what it's worth, we never got anywhere with Vodafone. We did get somewhere with Now Broadband - we already had an account and they put through a regrade request. They made a bit of a mess of it and someone eventually over-rode the requirements check to allow us through.
So although it's not just Vodafone not doing very well at least some other providers respond better when you push back!