So lost our house in the Darfield earthquake, and as such we were without a land line.

In the days following the quake I found myself spending a lot of time on the phone.. To EQC, to the council, to civil defence (I am a volunteer), to family and friends.

I realised that things were not going to be sorted out quickly, and so I rang Vodafone and explained the situation. I explained my concern about the amount of time I was having to spend on the phone, and the impact this would have on my next months bill.

I am on an $80 monthly plan.

The person at Vodafone basically told me it was my problem, not theirs, I had chosen the plan and I was stuck with it.

The person was quite rude and abrupt about it, and I ended getting a little upset and hanging up on them.

A called Vodafone again a few minutes later, and ended up talking to someone else.

I once again explained the situation, and they listened, then put me on hold.

A few minutes later they returned and told me that Vodafone would take my monthly average bill and refund the difference between the next month and the monthly average.

Today, when I got my monthly bill for $228, I called them.

Vodafone just paid $136 of my bill, leaving me with my monthly average to pay.

Good on you Vodafone, I really appreciate it!