Vodafone is the worst company I've ever had to deal with

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grimwulf

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Master Geek
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#23917 11-Jul-2008 11:00

I just spent over an hour queueing for a 16gb Iphone on Lambton Quay in Wellington.

When I got in there, they point blank refused to sell me an Iphone without going on an Iphone plan, despite already having a corporate plan that the Vodafone website said I could use.

I'm seething - I can't remember being this angry in a consumer context before.

Vodafone's manager at that store, point blank said that they would not sell a phone without connection to one of thier Iphone plans... how nuts is that?!

I even asked them to bring up the page on Geekzone where Kursten outlined the options but, no go. Seems to me they're probably goalled on signing people up to plans and as stock gets low they're pulling crap like this.

So I just walked away, gutted.

I don't want anything to do with Vodafone anymore, their customer service is utterly appalling.

Anyone got any ideas on any ideas on my best avenue of recourse on this - I really want to vent.

Edit: Even more gutted, reading reports of people sticking regular vodafone sims in and using the phone... arrrgh

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266 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#146634 11-Jul-2008 11:07

Hey mate,

I got told the same thing initially, that they were only signing up new connections, but then the manager came out and they all of a sudden changed the rules.. weird. Sucks to hear about what happened though, I'm sure that's not the official line!

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robbyp

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#146643 11-Jul-2008 11:15

grimwulf: I just spent over an hour queueing for a 16gb Iphone on Lambton Quay in Wellington.

When I got in there, they point blank refused to sell me an Iphone without going on an Iphone plan, despite already having a corporate plan that the Vodafone website said I could use.

I'm seething - I can't remember being this angry in a consumer context before.

Vodafone's manager at that store, Tricia Cox - point blank said that they would not sell a phone without connection to one of thier Iphone plans... how nuts is that?!

I even asked them to bring up the page on Geekzone where Kursten outlined the options but, no go. Seems to me they're probably goalled on signing people up to plans and as stock gets low they're pulling crap like this.

So I just walked away, gutted.

I don't want anything to do with Vodafone anymore, their customer service is utterly appalling.

Anyone got any ideas on any ideas on my best avenue of recourse on this - I really want to vent.

Edit: Even more gutted, reading reports of people sticking regular vodafone sims in and using the phone... arrrgh

Thats shocking. I hope they give you one for free after they have apologised for the error, as it s common knowledge that you can buy one and go onto an existing plan.

grimwulf

121 posts

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#146655 11-Jul-2008 11:44

Thanks for the moral support.

I've made a complaint to Vodafone directly so I guess I'll wait and see what happens - won't be holding my breath though.

Just how much of a PR disaster could they make of such a 'slam-dunk' product...

paradoxsm

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#146669 11-Jul-2008 12:00

lol, this does not surprise me in the slightest, I had a very bad run in with that store and was the final nail in the coffin why I'm no longer a customer, very clueless untrained other staff too I might add. It appears the devices are locked anyhow so I'm glad I pulled out, might spend the $1000 down the line on a ski trip now :-D, I was only interested in one to use on the new Telecom gsm network coming out and maybe hack.

robbyp

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#146698 11-Jul-2008 12:34

paradoxsm: lol, this does not surprise me in the slightest, I had a very bad run in with that store and was the final nail in the coffin why I'm no longer a customer, very clueless untrained other staff too I might add. It appears the devices are locked anyhow so I'm glad I pulled out, might spend the $1000 down the line on a ski trip now :-D, I was only interested in one to use on the new Telecom gsm network coming out and maybe hack.

Are you sure they are locked? Vodafone promised that they would not be locking new phones, after the warning from the commerce commission. If you buy a handset outright with no subsidy, you should be able to move it to telecom or nzcommuications when thy release their network, without having to pay vodafone yet another fee.

manhinli

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#146701 11-Jul-2008 12:35

robbyp:
paradoxsm: lol, this does not surprise me in the slightest, I had a very bad run in with that store and was the final nail in the coffin why I'm no longer a customer, very clueless untrained other staff too I might add. It appears the devices are locked anyhow so I'm glad I pulled out, might spend the $1000 down the line on a ski trip now :-D, I was only interested in one to use on the new Telecom gsm network coming out and maybe hack.

Are you sure they are locked? Vodafone promised that they would not be locking new phones, after the warning from the commerce commission. If you buy a handset outright with no subsidy, you should be able to move it to telecom or nzcommuications when thy release their network, without having to pay vodafone yet another fee.

All phones but the iPhone are unlocked. You can choose to unlock the iPhone at purchase.

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#146780 11-Jul-2008 14:21

I just went to buy an iPhone, then I found out that since my last debacle with VFNZ that I am one a plan that costs me over $180 a month for a number I haven't used in months. And for a number I haven't seen a statement for in months as well.

Needless to say I didn't buy an iPhone and called VFNZ's customer service to find out wtf is going on.

Am now waiting a return call. I think I'll now wait until Telecom start their GSM service and get one on that network. It's funny really, after all the talk about Telecom being useless etc, I've never had any problems with them, and yet Vodafone fail at every oppurtunity I give them to get better.

Plus the iPhone is sooo damn big..!!!

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robbypreb

131 posts

Master Geek

#146791 11-Jul-2008 14:32

manhinli:
robbyp:
paradoxsm: lol, this does not surprise me in the slightest, I had a very bad run in with that store and was the final nail in the coffin why I'm no longer a customer, very clueless untrained other staff too I might add. It appears the devices are locked anyhow so I'm glad I pulled out, might spend the $1000 down the line on a ski trip now :-D, I was only interested in one to use on the new Telecom gsm network coming out and maybe hack.

Are you sure they are locked? Vodafone promised that they would not be locking new phones, after the warning from the commerce commission. If you buy a handset outright with no subsidy, you should be able to move it to telecom or nzcommuications when thy release their network, without having to pay vodafone yet another fee.

All phones but the iPhone are unlocked. You can choose to unlock the iPhone at purchase.

That is not something that is well known, and I wonder if the commerce commission are aware of that they were still locking some phones. Do they charge for unlocking the iphone and is that made aware of when purchasing the phone?

Also did the iphone actually sell out. I haven't heard any news on that. Even though there was only very limited stock, I would be surprised if it didn't sell out, unless people have relialised how expensive the plans really are due to the media coverage of them.

manhinli

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#146793 11-Jul-2008 14:34

robbypreb:
manhinli:
robbyp:
paradoxsm: lol, this does not surprise me in the slightest, I had a very bad run in with that store and was the final nail in the coffin why I'm no longer a customer, very clueless untrained other staff too I might add. It appears the devices are locked anyhow so I'm glad I pulled out, might spend the $1000 down the line on a ski trip now :-D, I was only interested in one to use on the new Telecom gsm network coming out and maybe hack.
Are you sure they are locked? Vodafone promised that they would not be locking new phones, after the warning from the commerce commission. If you buy a handset outright with no subsidy, you should be able to move it to telecom or nzcommuications when thy release their network, without having to pay vodafone yet another fee.

All phones but the iPhone are unlocked. You can choose to unlock the iPhone at purchase.

That is not something that is well known, and I wonder if the commerce commission are aware of that they were still locking some phones. Do they charge for unlocking the iphone and is that made aware of when purchasing the phone?
Also did the iphone actually sell out. I haven't heard any news on that. Even though there was only very limited stock, I would be surprised if it didn't sell out, unless people have relialised how expensive the plans really are due to the media coverage of them.

Not sure if they charge for an unlock, but as Vodafone stopped locking their handsets, and have been offering free unlocks for already locked handsets, I think it's free.

You could call your local Vodafone store to find out about iPhone stock.

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zocster

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#146798 11-Jul-2008 14:38

hmm putting names on posts I thought that's a no no...

VNZ

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#146802 11-Jul-2008 14:44

Alison here from the Vodafone Comms team.

Clearly we got it very wrong and I can only apologise. We are sending out more info to our stores so they are aware that the corporate plans can be used.

Can we make contact with you and put this right, please? If you are able to send me an email I'll make sure the correct person get's in touch.

Alison
Company Communications
Vodafone

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themaskedman

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Master Geek

#146809 11-Jul-2008 14:57

On the contrary, my experience in purchasing my iPhone last night from Wellington was one of the best I've ever had.

I was about 6th in line, so maybe that had something to do with it.

Free swag too!

Torque

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#146813 11-Jul-2008 15:01

Was this the actual Vodafone store on Lambton Quay - big one near Dymocks?

I was in there earlier today and got slightly fed up with waiting to be accepted by the computer for the iPhone plan, after filling out the plan form, so was told by the staff that I would be called about the outcome as soon as they got it. An hour later, no call, so I went back to the store.

Manager (big dude) came out, apologised to me, rang up someone or the other on the phone and it was approved. Paid for the Iphone and walked out.

Wasn't asked at any point if I wanted the phone 'unlocked' but was asked if I wanted it unbricked in the store - told them I'd do that when I got home. And I didn't have to sign Apple's third party terms and conditions either, which was a big strange as everyone else that was getting one had to.

But all in all, was quite happy with the managers response to me and how quickly he dealt with it all.

Edit: What swag did you get rixth?

themaskedman

60 posts

Master Geek

#146816 11-Jul-2008 15:08

Torque: Was this the actual Vodafone store on Lambton Quay - big one near Dymocks?

Edit: What swag did you get rixth?

Yep, that's the store I was at. I went in at 5pm to start the credit check process (I was signing up a business, which apparently takes a lot longer). My credit check didn't come back for about 5 hours. It was stressful, but it was OK in the end.

I did have to sign Apple's agreement.

In my swag bag was Continental pasta, Cadbury Chocolate, deoderant from Lynx, Rexona and Impulse, chewing gum... all sorts of random stuff.

I'm eyeing up the 3G dock that's on the Apple NZ site.... pretty fair at $45.... for Apple.

jmcollis

36 posts

Geek

#146832 11-Jul-2008 15:29

manhinli: All phones but the iPhone are unlocked. You can choose to unlock the iPhone at purchase.

Really? I asked the guy this morning when I got mine, and he said they weren't locked! Anyone have unlocking instructions?

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