I have been a bill-pay customer of Vodafone for years now, and have been reasonably happy with them and have got several upgrades over the years, the last almost 14 months ago. I was told in September that I could request another upgrade in January. I am now told that I cannot have an upgrade, and they won't tell me why, nor when I can. Disappointing, but as I am out of contract now, I am free to leave if I want (...but I didn't really want to!).
Then I lost my phone at the weekend while travelling abroad, so I called Vodafone to check again if, under the circumstances, they would reconsider giving me an upgrade and I would take out a new 12 month contract? No!
So I checked in the Vodafone shop, and for a NEW customer, the phone I want is €20 to buy, in exchange for a 12 month contract (at the same tariff as my current (expired) contract, but to me it's €130 on the same contract.
So I spoke to a Customer "Care" supervisor (I felt sorry for the poor rep who kept having to check with the supervisor) and asked him to explain why a new customer could get the deal that I want, but as an existing and (presumably) valuable customer I have to pay over €100 more, and if I cancelled my contract, and walked in the door a week later and asked for the current new customer deal, what would happen? He told me I would be charged a €400 security deposit!!
So after spending thousands of euros with Vodafone over the years, they would rather screw an existing customer, suggest that he is being dishonest and lose him, AND two other current pre-pay Vodafone customers in the house, rather than give me the same deal as a new customer walking in off the street whom they don't know at all!
Good business practice!!
Three new Meteor customers on the way, and three very-EX Vodafone customers.
I also told the supervisor that I would share this experience with my friends - so I am!
Then I lost my phone at the weekend while travelling abroad, so I called Vodafone to check again if, under the circumstances, they would reconsider giving me an upgrade and I would take out a new 12 month contract? No!
So I checked in the Vodafone shop, and for a NEW customer, the phone I want is €20 to buy, in exchange for a 12 month contract (at the same tariff as my current (expired) contract, but to me it's €130 on the same contract.
So I spoke to a Customer "Care" supervisor (I felt sorry for the poor rep who kept having to check with the supervisor) and asked him to explain why a new customer could get the deal that I want, but as an existing and (presumably) valuable customer I have to pay over €100 more, and if I cancelled my contract, and walked in the door a week later and asked for the current new customer deal, what would happen? He told me I would be charged a €400 security deposit!!
So after spending thousands of euros with Vodafone over the years, they would rather screw an existing customer, suggest that he is being dishonest and lose him, AND two other current pre-pay Vodafone customers in the house, rather than give me the same deal as a new customer walking in off the street whom they don't know at all!
Good business practice!!
Three new Meteor customers on the way, and three very-EX Vodafone customers.
I also told the supervisor that I would share this experience with my friends - so I am!