Is Vodafone misleading customers about switching?

billpayer1

I was told by Vodafone that if I switched to the much less expensive Lebara- which uses the same network -  my data speeds would be in the 'slow lane', call quality would be worse and customer service abysmal. There was a risk also that I would lose the number I've had for 26 years in the porting process, she said. Really? 
Well I took the plunge anyway and so far, so good. I've noticed no drop off in data speed (and why should I given Lebara uses the Vodafone network?), call quality is fine and customer service is excellent, friendly and efficient. My number has ported over without a blip. What's more my Lebara deal is less than half the cost of the Vodafone equivalent and includes EU roaming and 100 free international minutes.  

Perhaps there was some truth in what Vodafone said. But if not - then they are misleading people. 

I'd be very interested to hear from anyone else who has been given the same underhand hard sell treatment by Vodafone, or indeed anyone who has experienced the issues Vodafone claims to be afflicting its own white-label product. 

By the way, in case you are wondering how I actually managed to speak to a human being at Vodafone the answer of course is that if you request a PAC code indicating your are about to switch they send you a number which is answered by a real person on the first ring. The number is 0808 005 7382. 

SaverRate

I have heard of this from Vodafone before. Its completely wrong and scare mongering. Everyone who is told this should report them to Ofcom. 

PHK

My experience is that their customer service is poor (but you'd expect that witha budget provider). Although they use Vodafones signal they don't use the backend and I have noticed service is sometimes worse than with my work mobile.

billpayer1

Thanks PHK - what do you mean by the 'backend'?

Robbie_Two_Walls

Hi - New to the Forum but I can confirm that I too was told by Vodafone that if I switched to the much less expensive Lebara SIM deal - which uses the Vodafone network

a) my data speeds would be slow,
b) call quality would be worse
C) customer service would be abysmal.
BUT THE BIGGEST RISK ?   
d) I would probably lose the number I've had for years in the porting process as " the network can't port from Vodafone to Vodafone "

All of the above have proved to be untrue.

In my opinion and experience - customer service via web chat with Lebara has been fantastic and
they score highly on all review sites for this.   "Which" recently found them to be far better in many aspects than Vodafone

AND.....   Porting and keeping my number was simple and easy !

I told Vodafone that I was leaving due to them being expensive, increasing the payment every 12 months and that I was fed up with them spreading dirt on other companies rather than cleaning up their own act.  Needless to say, they didn't try very hard to keep me after that.