Hi

Today I went into Digital Mobile in Manners Mall Wellington.

On going there I found out that they had received a new shipment of iphone 4G handsets.

So I bit the bullet and decided to get one.  On finding out that they were only available on contract I decided to do the old sign/cancel as had been detailed in GeekZone.

I signed up to a 24 Month iphone 40 plan.  All was good and then when finished asked how to disconnect.

I was told that they couldn’t do it in the shop and that i would have to call 777.

So once back at work i did this and spoke to 2 CSR's (1st transferred me to the retention line) and explained that I wanted to use prepaid on my iphone and was told that the cost to break the contract would be $430+gst.  I checked that this was the only cost that would be charged.

Fantastic so the contract was cancelled and the new number went dead.

Then this afternoon I was called by Vijay who is the franchisee for Digital Mobile in Manners Mall asking for either the iphone to be returned or an additional $480+gst to be paid as a subsidy payment.

On saying no I was told that a debt agency would be involved to recover the cost. He also said that he reserved the right to get Vodafone and Apple to blacklist the phone for service.

He stated that the reason for this was that Vodafone only credits connections and subsidies after 6 Months and even

though I have paid $430 to end the contract he would not get any of this.  in addition I had only ended the contract with Vodafone and not digital Mobile.

He stated in his argument that Vodafone had contacted Digital Mobile about my cancellation (I feel so special) and the local area manager had contacted Vijay.

He also stated that I had been told when calling 777 that I would have to return the iphone to the place of purchase.  FYI I wasn’t and am happy for the CSR tapes of my call to be looked at if needed.

He also stated that both his assistants had told me that I would have to return the iphone if I cancelled. This was not the case and I didn’t get told at the point of signing the contract, or after I asked how to cancel.  I was just told dial 777 when asked how to cancel.

On saying this I was told that it would be their word against mine.

FYI at no point was I offered a copy of the VF T&C and the contract I signed doesn’t have them ticked as read.

Now before doing this I researched this and Paul Brislen of VFPR has stated in topic http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=40&topicid=65194: "You don't give the phone back if you pay the ETCs."

Now when this was pointed out to Vijay he has stated that this is Vodafones point and not Digital Mobiles.

So I have made this post to ask VFPR the following

1. Are you aware that Retailers are not providing the VF T&C and checking that they are understood.

2. Are trying to Bully People when they break contracts. (Imagine if i was a little old lady being threatened... luckily I’m not)

3. Are stating that they would get staff to state items that are not truthful on the precedent that its their word against yours

4. Are stating what Vodafone CSR’s have said without any evidence (recorded calls will answer this one)

Now I am happy to assist and if you need Paul I can authorise the CSR tapes to be released (FYI I don’t have any issues with them)

Chris