08080000133 – Vodafone want me back
Since I changed my contract to Orange and got a nice new HTC Touch, Vodafone have been pestering my with calls trying to offer me a better deal. They haven’t grasped that my requirements in my contract have completely changed.
For 3 years or more I was on a minimal Vodafone contract (Singlepoint actually, acquired by Vodafone back in 2003). We’re talking £12/month in the basic contract (750 off peak same network minutes and 50 texts) with bills sometimes going up to about £20. Not very much expenditures at all!
My new Orange contract is a completely different saucepan of penguins: £31.50/month for 500 cross network anytime minutes and unlimited texts. Since they bundled in the headphones and £100 cashback, their offer is far better than anything Vodafone offered me. I even went into the store and they admitted that they don’t have the phone I want or anything close to my needs.
But now my old mobile – hurrah! a Nokia 6310i – gets called every day from Vodafone’s Retention team (08080000133) trying to offer me stupid little deals, such as reducing my current contract to £10/month. This is not what I want at all. I’d gladly pay Orange the extra line rental – I’m using it heavily and I’m going to push the limits of their “unlimited” (aka 3000) monthly texts.
To Vodafone: I spoke to 5 people in various teams before deciding to end my contract, you simply can not convince me at this point to continue with you. You don’t give me what I want.
To Orange: Thanks!!
UPDATE: Vodafone also seem to be using this number (08080000133) for other purposes. I registered my interest in pre-ordering an iPhone from Vodafone at the end of 2009 and they’re now chasing those that showed an interest.
Tags: 08080000133, HTC, mobiles, Nokia, Orange, singlepoint, Vodafone
Hi David,
I just got this call from Vodafone too after asking for my PAC code. Ignored the call as I generally do with freefone numbers but thanks for the warning!
Just been pestered by these people just over 24 hours since I made an enquiry into seeing what they could offer me, we (partner and myself) had two phones on the same contract which ran to 8GBP a month each, actual bills spiked as the included off peak minutes were useless if you have to make a call during the day. We needed new contracts and handsets to replace our ailing sony ericssons and I was quite taken with the N95, I looked to see what deals were going and 02 had the best but I thought, in a moment of charity, lets see what Voda can offer.
Two calls later and they will upgrade her handset for only 100 but if I want to upgrade my handset its 200. Perhaps on its own not so bad but being as a new customer can get the phone for less than 100 on a new contract asking an existing one to pay extra leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
Needless to say I wasn’t too enthused with their so called offer and requested a PAC code to be rid of them. Considering I was going for a 42.50 pcm contract they kind of shot themselves in the foot. I am bracing myself for a further flurry of calls from them.
The reason upgrading customers can’t get the best deals after a long period of low usage is that they allow you to change your to a lower rate 3-6 months into the new upgrade contract. They’re worried you’ll upgrade to a fancy phone, then downgrade again 3 months later while keeping the new phone.
Frankly, I’d be happy if I was tied into paying the higher amount – as that’s exactly what I wanted.
im having the same problem. bastards.
I’m such a low user that it makes sense to move from a contract to a pre-paid card. When I rang to make the change, the sales guy tried to confuse me and was about to put me onto Vodaphone’s expensive Pay as You Go. He eventually relented and told me that he’d asked for the PAC code to be dispatched to me. I’ve sent off my written notice to Vodaphone for terminating my contract with them. I’ve been called by this number all day today (they must have received my notice today), but haven’t picked up the call – thank god I googled to check what it was, and thanks to all who’ve posted the warning.
I wrote to disconnections ending my contract, and asked for my PAC code. This number called, missed the first call, they called again, i answered, and the guy gave me my pac code.
not sure why everyone else is battling?
I asked them each time not to call again. It bugs me when a company doesn’t realise that they’ve already lost a customer.
Now if only I could instantly switch to the current web offer of £15/month for unlimited texts and 100 minutes.
I want to cancel my contract when my 12 months were up.
There retention team call, I have managed to get a good deal;
£9.99 for
150 mins
250 text
samgsung U900 Soul (nice)
Vodafone Passport + stop the clock
12 Months
Im happy with that!!!
I also have had 4 calls since asking for a PAC code yesterday. The minimum they could do is publish the number on their website so that people know it is legitimate number and if customer want to give details over the phone then they will feel happier doing this. This idea has already been suggested on some forums.
this discussion fascinates me.
since requesting my pac code, i’ve had – without exaggeration – between fifty and sixty calls from this number. always 08080000133.
there is retention and there is harassment. there is ‘customer relations’ and there is bludgeoning people. if any of these boys or girls who i’m sure are all incredibly lovely individuals in their own right had once thought to leave a message, just normal, civilised conduct: identify yourself, give a number you can be called back on, i would have spoken to them within twenty-four hours, and would probably even have considered what they have to say. i’m a reasonable human being. but having been subjected to this barrage of calls four, five times a day – and it will probably continue until i finally take my pac and go to O2, not because i particularly want to but because i particularly want to try the iphone which vodafone, i can’t help it, simply don’t offer – i will not now under any circumstances consider staying with vodafone, even if they should ever do the iphone: who wants to be exposed to this? what kind of a business attitude is this? what kind of directive are these poor people working under: ‘if they want to leave, just keep phoning the bastards, ultimately they’ll crack?’ well, i won’t. and i’m beginning to hope i’m not the only one. somebody’s doing something appalling here and i hope it won’t pay off for them. to vodafone it’s sorry guys: lost me. adios.
I am having the same problem. Requested my PAC code on friday last week, its now tuesday and I am getting an average 10-12 calls a day. :(
Hope this doesn’t continue when I get my code and am on another network!
Yep same here, i’m trying to leave the Voda empire…keep getting called by the retention SAS….
I got a call yesterday from the number you’re talking about. Flumoxed as to why seeing as I have just upgraded & agreed to stay with vodafone (coverage is chronic with any other network where I live). The best part about it though is that my spangly new N96 blocked the call. When I went to answer it a message popped up after cutting the call off saying ‘call not allowed’. Dunno if that’s programmed into the phone or if it’s to do with the network itself. Frankly I don’t really care as either way it’s a good outcome-long may it continue!!
I’m getting calls from these. When I answer there is no one there. I still have at least 6m left on my contract.
just had a call of them but not left vodafone so why am i getting calls
im with vodafone still on a contract for £35 per month, i only took it out in october, yet early december i had about 10 missed calls from these guys?
:s