Vodafone Early Termination questions

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ahmad

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Topic # 65194 30-Jul-2010 18:47

Before you ask/comment, yes I have tried to talk to a Vodafone store but have not been able to get hold of anyone.

I signed up for iPhone $40

The subsidy I received was $480

If I early terminate, I was told that I have to pay an Early Termination Charge as set out on their homepage:

0-6 months $450+gst
6-12 months $280+gst
12-24 months $175+gst

Now I hear from someone in the iPhone thread that he is being told he is also going to be pinged the $480 (ie. the original handset subsidy) and has to return the iPhone?

What's the truth here? The On Account Terms and Conditions don't mention all of this at all??

https://www.vodafone.co.nz/about/legal-stuff/on-account-terms.pdf

Has anyone had any personal experience for this? Thanks.

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93 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 360276 30-Jul-2010 19:36

I think some points may have been lost in translation. The VF store wont be asking you to return the phone, especially not if you are paying the ETCs. The whole point of ETCs are to recover the handset subsidy so if you hear otherwise, the person has either been mis-guided or lied to.

ahmad

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Reply # 360290 30-Jul-2010 19:44

So no repayment of subsidy either? I've heard the conspiracy about these lies to discourage people to disconnect.

I've skimmed the 25 page terms and conditions online for the term "early" and "disconnection" and see no mention of anything but the ETC?

VFNZPaulBrislen

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Reply # 360299 30-Jul-2010 19:50

You don't give the phone back if you pay the ETCs.

Cheers

Paul

Paul Brislen
Head of Corporate Communications
Vodafone

http://forum.vodafone.co.nz

ahmad

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Reply # 360340 30-Jul-2010 20:08

PaulBrislen: You don't give the phone back if you pay the ETCs.

Cheers

Paul

Thanks for that Paul and glad to hear you are safe and let out of Telecom's cupboard :)

You also don't have to pay back the subsidy in ADDITION to the ETC do you?

Thanks.

oxnsox

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Reply # 360430 30-Jul-2010 22:02

Have you looked at the VF website.... lookie here:

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/iphone/plans.jsp#expander4

at the bottom of the Early termination charges there is a link yo 'Other Early termination charges

http://help.vodafone.co.nz/app/answers/detail/a_id/6566

But I think you'd have to pay back the subsidy as well.
No-ones going to loan you $500 and then just forget about it.......

ahmad

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Reply # 360434 30-Jul-2010 22:16

I did look there. I also skimmed the relevant parts of a 25 page terms and conditions. Also the instore Vodfaone rep mentioned only the ETCs.

But then I hear of people supposedly being told they have to return the device and/or repay subsidy?

Paul has already dismissed the notion of returning the device, but I just want clarification on the subsidy.

oxnsox - no, noone is forgetting the subsidy - that's why there are ETCs.

nznordi

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Reply # 360443 30-Jul-2010 22:29

Hey Guys,

would be great if someone could confirm that the ETC is to cover the subsidy and not on top of it?

Also, does anyone know if the iphone4 is unlocked when you buy it on VF? Don't want to experience a surprise when using another sim overseas...

Cheers,

ahmad

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Reply # 360448 30-Jul-2010 22:36

Unlocked is confirmed.

There is no mention of "handset subsidy" in the full On Account terms and conditions:

https://www.vodafone.co.nz/about/legal-stuff/on-account-terms.pdf

The only mention of "subsidy" is actually related to Vodafone at home equipment I think.

But yes it would be good to get confirmation regardless because people have been told other information (perhaps to "scare" them into remaining in a contract?)

pressF1

77 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 360667 31-Jul-2010 15:35

nznordi: Hey Guys,

would be great if someone could confirm that the ETC is to cover the subsidy and not on top of it?

Also, does anyone know if the iphone4 is unlocked when you buy it on VF? Don't want to experience a surprise when using another sim overseas...

Cheers,

The ETC is the full cost of breaking the contract, it will cover an element of the subsidy and an element of lost revenue (based on a shorter contract period), so if your ETC is $400 then the handset subsdy sits within that.

VFNZPaulBrislen

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Reply # 360677 31-Jul-2010 16:15

what he said.

Paul Brislen
Head of Corporate Communications
Vodafone

http://forum.vodafone.co.nz

ahmad

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Reply # 360681 31-Jul-2010 16:21

Thanks for the clarification and confirmation. I guess there are some naughty outlets that are dissuading people from terminating or re-signing their contracts with false threats.

nznordi

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Reply # 360695 31-Jul-2010 16:49

Thanks, just what I thought...

lotech

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Reply # 360733 31-Jul-2010 17:53

What were peoples experiences with cancelling and the monthly fees? I'm guessing that the current (just signed) month will be due but possibly also another 30 days?

ahmad

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Reply # 360740 31-Jul-2010 18:04

Read the terms and conditions I have linked to above. It is a 25 page pdf file.

You must give Vodafone 1 calendar month notification of termination IIRC.

Honestly why aren't people more inquisitive about terms and conditions BEFORE signing a contract?

If you think I'm being hypocritical I answer this: I *did* ask repeatedly about the questions I posted in OP before I signed up and was given the same answer as Paul kindly confirmed above. It's just that since then others have reported being "threatened" with other charges for early termination.

And I asked repeated instore for terms and conditions before I signed - they don't even have these instore (they refer you to the website which they will allow you to access instore I think). Most of the salespeople I spoke to were not prepared to answer more in-depth questions - instead referring to the T&Cs which they couldn't provide for me on paper.

I do consider this better than just making up an answer though just for the record.

martyyn

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Reply # 360786 31-Jul-2010 20:15

ahmad:
It is a 25 page pdf file.
....
Honestly why aren't people more inquisitive about terms and conditions BEFORE signing a contract?

Havent you already answered your own question ?

Who on earth is going to sit down and read 25 pages of T&C's ? If you were to who is going to understand all of it to the nth degree ?

I asked all sorts of questions the other day when I spoke to a CSR at VF and they knew absolutely nothing about what was involved other than they needed to record my voice saying 'yes' when I said I agreed to the terms and conditions.

I did point out I had a meeting and didnt want him to read 20-odd pages but the sarcasm was lost on him.

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