Can't call Apple support from Vodafone, why?

Forums › Vodafone New Zealand › Can't call Apple support from Vodafone, why?

barf

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Topic # 9927 24-Oct-2006 17:45

Apple have a toll-free support line, no surprise there but, it can't be called from Vodafone.
The number is 0080076667666 which isn't in the standard New Zealand format, although it does work from any Telecom line.

Please fix it Vodafone, Apple or whoever's job it is to fix stupid problems like this.

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johnr

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Reply # 49512 24-Oct-2006 18:00

Toll free NZ numbers start with 0800 or 0508

BigFella

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Reply # 49513 24-Oct-2006 18:04

00800 is an UFIN - http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/universalnumbers/uifn/

I don't think Apple would want to eat the charges of a mobile originated call - you see the same thing on some 0800 numbers as well.

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barf

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Reply # 49515 24-Oct-2006 18:09

BigFella: it works from Telecom mobiles
johnr: it works from Telecom mobiles, why not Vodafone mobiles?

forgive the caps but, IT IS A TOLL FREE NUMBER (except if you have Vodafone)

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johnr

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Reply # 49517 24-Oct-2006 18:18

toll free numbers start with 0508 or 0800

You will have to ask apple to supply you with a 0800 or 0508 number

John

freitasm

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Reply # 49518 24-Oct-2006 18:18

It works with Telecom New Zealand, so obviously Apple accepts calls from mobiles. If this is the case then Vodafone New Zealand has the tables out of sync somewhere.

As for being a toll free number, Barf, it doesn't mean anything. Some companies (it doesn't seem to be this case) offer toll free services, but won't accept calls from mobiles. So being "a toll free number" doesn't mean much in this context. The only problem is Vodafone New Zealand not recognising the number format or the end point.

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barf

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Reply # 49519 24-Oct-2006 18:22

I already understand companies may choose not to accept mobile calls on toll-free services but, Apple does. That's why I started this thread.

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freitasm

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Reply # 49521 24-Oct-2006 18:22

johnr: toll free numbers start with 0508 or 0800

You will have to ask apple to supply you with a 0800 or 0508 number

Nope, he's right. Vodafone needs to fix this. After all, if you want to be a replacement for the incumbent...

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BigFella

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Reply # 49522 24-Oct-2006 18:29

That'll teach me to open my mouth without testing the number first :) There does appear to be an issue with UIFN numbers - I'll chase this up.

sbiddle

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Reply # 49525 24-Oct-2006 18:54

I complained to Vodafone a long time ago about this and got the usual "it's not our fault" brushoff.

Qantas use one as well 00 800 0014 0014 I found it very very annoying when I needed to call them and we both only had Vodafone mobiles. I had to ring somebody else, get them to ring Qantas on another line and try and sort things out.

Since we all know Vodafone do fix things that we complain about on Geekzone hopefully we may see some action soon! :-)

freitasm

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Reply # 49526 24-Oct-2006 18:57

I am not sure this is something they will want to fix...

The moral of the story: the company wants to be taken as a viable replacement for the incumbent landline and mobile provider. But if they can't or don't want to provide the service, then people will opt for the alternative.

And if you tell me that not only Apple, but Qantas also use this kind of number, I can see businesses considering their options if these become more common.

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johnr

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Reply # 49528 24-Oct-2006 18:58

Qantas have a 0800 number

Thats why there are no issues calling them

sbiddle

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Reply # 49542 24-Oct-2006 20:13

johnr: Qantas have a 0800 number

Thats why there are no issues calling them

The 0800 number and 00800 number are different call centres. The 0800 can't do much other than NZ domestic stuff so they get you to ring their international 00800 call centre.