Comments on: Vodafone denies iPhone cap plan confusion

By: SidSnot

SidSnot — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 04:47:17 +0000

I sent this email to Voda's help desk:

Looking at an iPhone on either a $69 or $49 business or personal plan (have ABN)
Could you pls clarify or confirm that with the $310 credit per month I can use it for data as well as phone calls - so that once I use up my plan 250MB of data I can then use up any remaining of the $310 of credit with data at 12c/MB?

and the reply:

Thank you for your email.

If you join Vodafone on an iPhone contract as a personal customer, the $310 credit can be used for calls, TXT and data.

If you join as a Business Customer a limited amount of the $310 credit can be used for data.

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:47:59 +0000

After dealing directly with Vodafone's Customer Resolution Team I was told *absolutely* *categorically* that the Excess Data Charge CANNOT be deducted from the $310 Cap Credit on the $69 plan.

The reason given to me which sounds plausible, is that internally in VF's billing system the $69 iPhone plan is nothing more than a $49 Jumbo Cap (which has the $310 credit) + a $20 Data Bundle of 250Mb (which has the 12 cents/Mb rate and is not available separately with any other plan).

Fortunately, Vodafone conceded that I *was* misled at the point of sale (yes, that's right Mr. Spears, it DID happen), VF has agreed to release me from the $69 contract and switch me to the $29 Jumbo Cap (which is no longer available because people did the math and were paying out early) - and guess what my next move will be ;-)

By: Matt

Matt — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 13:36:37 +0000

I just got an email from Vodafone (Direct Deals, VF-AU) confirming that excess data comes out of the cap credit.
"As you've noted on our store website, the excess data charges will come out of the cap credit if you have any remaining.
A good way to track how your usage is going throughout the month so you can avoid the excess data charges is by dialing 1512 from the Vodafone handset or sending a blank text message to 1512 or 1555."

So no I have it in writing (kinda)

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:18:45 +0000

just got off the phone from vodafone and they have confirmed that the data IS INCLUDED IN THE CAP. the guy in the call centre (Walid), first said no it isn’t included in the cap, i told him to look at the website, he then checked with his supervisor. He rang me back 10 mins later and said the they are included in the cap. i then told him about this site and how the CEO of vodafone is saying something else. he said he didn’t know what to say. so there you are Mr Spears, an employee has told a customer this. Your challenge has been accepted.

By: richie

richie — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:55:01 +0000

yes yes bad vodafone

By: Justin French

Justin French — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:13:38 +0000

Adding fuel to the fire, I was told unequivocally by both Vodafone and Crazy John’s sales staff that excess data was definitely taken out of the cap, and I have a printed page clearly stating the same. I’ve been a VF customer for 11 years, so I’ll be making plenty of noise if they back out on what I’ve agreed to pay for.

By: dan

dan — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:58:29 +0000

as a user of a first gen iPhone on a Vodafone cap since I got it last November, I've had 'almost' all of my data included in my cap. When first enquiring the customer service staff had no idea how or how much I would be charged for GPRS data. Turned out to be 91c per 5min, but I found out I was also being charged GPRS data when using my own wifi at home!
Sounds like they still don't have a clue.

By: Mark Pesce

Mark Pesce — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 06:30:28 +0000

Well, as the (presumed) initiator of all this craziness, let me see if I can explain what happened.

Walked into the "main" Voda store in Sydney (333 George), and wa seen immediately. Did most of the contract stuff, then asked about the data charges. There was some back-and-forth - no one seemed to know. Then I was presented with a _printed_ sheet of paper. Under the "Covered under the cap" section of the plans costs, was the very clear figure "12c per MB". I asked, the salesperson pointed - and "Yes, that's under cap." So I happily signed.

Now, my mistake here is that I didn't ask for a printed copy of that document. I don't have it, and Voda's website says differently.

Do I have a case? I have no idea. But I do know what contract I signed. Be a pity of Voda didn't honor it.

By: Stephen Collins

Stephen Collins — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 06:26:36 +0000

I received agreement to this both in-store (Canberra Centre) and from call centre (Vodafone’s 1555 number).

By: Jason

Jason — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:06:16 +0000

The page on Vodafone’s web site that leads customers astray is:

http://store.vodafone.com.au/mobile-phones-apple-iphone-3g-8gb-iphone-plans-69-vodafone-cap-contract-for-apple-iphone-3g.aspx

.. and click on ‘Full Details’.

The section is headed:

Great services included in $69 Vodafone Cap for Apple® iPhone™ 3G 24 month Contract

… which leads you to believe that the following item is included in the cap:

Excess Data Charges – 12c per MB, billed per KB with minimum session of 50kb