Data roaming/robbery

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resolution

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Geek

#35493 10-Jun-2009 13:00

Let this be a lesson to anyone who hasn't checked up on the current rates/rapes applied to roaming.

I'm sure the charges applied have a lot to do with the overseas operator, but i recently got stung massively using an iphone in sydney. I called Vodafone before leaving to ensure roaming was set up, they asked what phone i had, i told them an iphone, they simply said, no problems, your number is set up, just connect to vodafone AUS when you land.

sweet. Except i wouldn't have minded if they'd taken the time to mention that any data useage would be charged at $10 a meg!

I would have thought it good service to perhaps warn a user they could be staring down the barrel of a massive bill? But it wasn't even mentioned. And before anyone preached about researching, yeah fine, but not everyone is as clued up as people who loiter on geekzone!

After being informed of 'bill shock', i was told that although they would otherwise wipe the charges, but because i'm on a data plan, that doesn't apply to me.

So all in all, an extra $650+ on my bill. no flexibility on payment (phone will be restricted from due date, no option) and i struggle to see why i should bother continuing with this company. It's been 5 or so years of spending money with them, i'm currently taking it up the @rse with a smile on their iphone plan, and they still don't cut even a modicum of slack.

And to cap it all off, back here in Auckland i struggle to get anything resembling dial-up through huge sections of the central city. dead spots through Newmarket, Great South road to greenlane, pretty much every second house around town... c'mon vodafone. how about some actual 'service'?

rant ended.

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#223576 10-Jun-2009 13:42

Well I can see why you would be annoyed, but you probably should have checked what the price of data while roaming was before using any.

billgates

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#223582 10-Jun-2009 13:54

You failed to do your homework. It's your own fault.

Do whatever you want to do man.

zocster

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#223585 10-Jun-2009 13:57

billgates: You failed to do your homework. It's your own fault.

Who can argue with Bill?! do your homework first!

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corksta

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#223588 10-Jun-2009 14:04

And before anyone preached about researching, yeah fine, but not everyone is as clued up as people who loiter on geekzone!!

One doesn't need to loiter on Geekzone to be aware of how much the roaming costs are. It's all spelt out quite clearly on their website which is obviously available for anyone to look at.

Sure an enormous bill is always frustrating, but to be honest you can't blame anyone but yourself for not checking it out before you left and you can't expect Vodafone to now compensate you for your ignorance.

resolution

21 posts

Geek

#223591 10-Jun-2009 14:08

cheers willy, sharp use of the word 'fail', hey it might even catch on! You could probably combine it with a picture of a kitten and who knows, it could be the next big thing...

Mostly i'd say yes, but given i rang vodafone to enquire as to the set up of roaming, i would've figured an alarming charge rate might be something they'd mention. y'know, just out of courtesy.

Or is it really, actually too much to expect from customer, ah... service?

like maybe if you took your car in to get fixed and they said no worries pick it up tomorrow. and then when you go back after 12 they say "oh sorry, if you don't pick it up before midday, we charge a $100 storage fee... it's right there on our website".

bcourtney

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#223594 10-Jun-2009 14:11

Yep I have to agree with all the above posts. To be honest, this thread should probably be locked as it is of no value to anyone other than the OP wanting to have an unwarranted rant at Vodafone.

Sure data roaming charges are ludicrous and need lowering globally, but you should have made yourself aware of this prior to your trip. Hell, there are often stories about it in mainstream media!

freitasm

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#223596 10-Jun-2009 14:12

I agree with both sides. You are right when you say you'd expect the CRS to "mention" that data roaming is going to cost $10/MB (if on Vodafone, otherwise it's actuall $30/MB on other networks).

I also agree with the others that say people should research more.

Tip: land in Australia, buy a Telstra prepay SIM card and follow the instructions to buy their 100 MB data packs. It will be way cheaper than data roaming, as expected.

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#223598 10-Jun-2009 14:15

Did you ask for Data Roaming Rates?

zocster

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#223600 10-Jun-2009 14:16

another wise advise/idea was when Scott (a mod) went to oz, he only takes his mobile roaming for calls but for data he had bought a prepay sim over in oz and loaded it with credit, cheaper than $650.00, if that's what you're worried about! Lesson learned I hope!?

Andy Ghozali Geekzone Member	E: andy@ghozali.ru M: +64 21 395 458 A: Andy's Business Services, 231 High St, Christchurch 8011, NZ
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RedJungle

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#223607 10-Jun-2009 14:24

freitasm: I agree with both sides. You are right when you say you'd expect the CRS to "mention" that data roaming is going to cost $10/MB (if on Vodafone, otherwise it's actuall $30/MB on other networks).

I also agree with the others that say people should research more.

Tip: land in Australia, buy a Telstra prepay SIM card and follow the instructions to buy their 100 MB data packs. It will be way cheaper than data roaming, as expected.

This is bang on. The issue for me is that the rate is so unreal that many people simply wouldn't expect it. Most people know it will be 'expensive' to roam, but don't realise how extreme that expense will be and get caught with their pants down.

I agree that if they charge such a high rate, then more should be done to raise awareness of the cost - perhaps in the 'Welcome to Roaming in Vodafone Australia' TXT message you get upon arrival? Surely a better experience for your customers than the shock when the bill arrives.

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#223608 10-Jun-2009 14:28

I always buy local SIM regardless if it is for voice or data... cheaper options in any occassion.

I simply "ignore" the calls that would-be going to my NZ SIM. I'd email/TXT the key people that I would stay in contact with the local SIM I bought.

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resolution

21 posts

Geek

#223616 10-Jun-2009 14:41

lesson learnt indeed, zocster! I think it's wonderful for everyone who can say 'you brought that sh*t on yourself' and tick all their pre-flight must-dos on their natty little pads, but i think the brunt of my complaint was the lack of warning around it.

yeah it's pricey, and had i not been in such a rush i may have stopped for a minute and thought, maybe i should check, but in all honesty, i didn't imagine at whatever crazy rates might apply that i'd get hit with such a bill. i know i have to pay it, but it was just another kick when they basically stone-walled me over the phone as far as paying up was concerned.

Bigal_nz, i also failed to ask them about every other detail of services available. What's your point? I simply rang up and asked if i could still use my phone is Australia, as i am about to get on a plane. And given that they specifically deny any bill shock benefits for people on data plans for a reason, you'd think they might say "okay i see you're on a data plan, remember it's $10 a megabyte over there..." as i said, it's nice to be warned.

And as Red Jungle says, a simple warning would have stopped me from google street viewing my way around locations!

den55

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#223618 10-Jun-2009 14:47

As Mauricio mentioned above buy a Telstra Prepaid sim card. I have been doing this for a couple of years now after dumping Vodafone AU. The latest sim cards work on their 3g and Next G network and cost $30 including $30 of data. Take the 12 month longlife offer in case you return within the year. When we visit I buy a 100mb Data Plus Pack for $10 which expires after a month.

All the info is at: http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/prepaid/gettingstarted.html

resolution

21 posts

Geek

#223626 10-Jun-2009 15:19

$10!?! i'd cry if i wasn't selling my tears off to pay for this bill! Anybody after a bottle of limited edition re-vitalizing energy water with added electrolytes?

raftcomm

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#223668 10-Jun-2009 16:28

I hear your point on this one but it would be a tad harsh to blame the CSR for not informing you on the charges for data specifically because that would imply that every CSR needs to run through all the rates (voice, SMS, data, PXT) with you to ensure they covered all aspects of roaming charges. example: Some other roaming customer may get stung on the voice rates and blame the CSR for not informing them on voice rates.

I know you already heard the "Do Your Homework" speech to death now and i do sympathise with the large bill but the question is, how long of a description do CSRs have to give each caller to ensure they have all aspects covered and not be blamed for not providing enough info? This would be applicable for all providers, not just Vodafone. So if you decide to jump providers, it may not solve your problem in terms of CSRs not telling you everything.

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