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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to resist paying this?

147 replies

Itstoocoldforme · 28/01/2017 20:48

Dd got hold of my phone and watched minecraft tutorials for 3 hours in total over 2 days at Christmas. Trouble was it was not on wifi. Cue £265 bill.

An acquaintance overheard my plight when I was whingeing to a friend, and said that the same thing happened when her dh was watching the golf at work. He thought he was on wifi and ran up an £800 bill. the phone co waived it and told him to be more careful in future.

So I try it with my provider, who I've been with for about 15 years. They're not budging and say it's legitimate usage. I know that it's legitimate usage, I'm appealing to their goodwill. They are not having it and have of course cut me off.

AIBU to hope for a bit of leeway here? They sent me a message at the end of the first day saying they have noticed high data usage. I didn't even read it because they send so many junk texts anyway and I have never gone near my limit before. In fact I didn't even know what it was 😳

They didn't stop the usage until I'd run up this huge bill.

AIBU to hold out payment and see if I can get some joy? Or should I just suck it up?

OP posts:
HappenstanceMarmite · 29/01/2017 11:17

llama that's a great tool on Confused.com. Thanks for posting it

Mulberry72 · 29/01/2017 11:26

I have a brilliant deal with Vodafone, I get 20GB of data and unlimited texts and calls which should have been £20 per month, and, I'm not sure if this is common knowledge or not, they have a scheme for employees of the NHS and their friends and families where if you give them an NHS employees email address (I gave my sisters) you can get a reduction on your plan price, so it actually costs me between £13-£14 per month.

Celaena · 29/01/2017 11:29

a text is a cop out?

from a communications company that send texts on their network?

PenelopeParmesan · 29/01/2017 11:34

This is exactly why my contract is with Tesco even though they are not exactly trendy.

If I use all my data (and it's only happened a couple of times, also due to children and bloody YouTube) I can run up an extra bill of £2.50 then it cuts off.

Highly recommended. I can ring up and buy an extra data bundle if I want one.

Trainspotting1984 · 29/01/2017 11:35

Obviously the text is designed to cover their back to meet their obligation to tell you whilst also giving them a fair chance you won't read it until it's too late. Obviously what they should do is stop the streaming and take you straight to your account to purchase more data, which is what my o2 contract does

DesolateWaist · 29/01/2017 11:51

A few well-indoctrinated little capitalists here, OP. Big company scams little people - totally cool and YABU to complain

I'm guessing you wrote this message on some bark with charcoal and sent it in by carrier pigeon.

Notapodling · 29/01/2017 12:02

Unfortunately, I think you'll have to pay it as they did send you the text, but I do think that the rates charged are utterly exorbitant and taking the piss. If you'd topped up your data instead, the charge would have been far, far lower. It doesn't reflect their costs in the least. You'll have to pay it unfortunately because they are legally allowed to charge it within your contact, but if I were you I'd change providers at the least and make it very clear why. You could try putting in an official complaint and following through the various channels.

pinkblink · 29/01/2017 12:06

Phone again and try speaking to someone else, be really polite and friendly and ask if there's any sort of goodwill gesture for a long term customer. Having worked in a phoneshop Iv seen it go both ways, full bills waive red and people told to suck it up and pay, all dependant on the person answering the phone and how the customer spoke to them, good luck

Velvian · 29/01/2017 12:06

I've turned mobile data off on my phone & only turn it on if I need to look something up. I was going over my limit every month before. Would they offer instalments for this large bill?

DesolateWaist · 29/01/2017 12:40

Yes the rates are not the cost of the data but if you go over the limit there is a penalty.
Just like if you go over your car park ticket.

Original poster
Itstoocoldforme · 29/01/2017 16:26

I'm wondering if anyone has actually taken this to the bitter end? Having worked in finance I seem to remember you can't put someone in default if it's in dispute. Someones just said at the worst you can ask for a letter of deadlock. Anyone else heard of this?

OP posts:
Original poster
Itstoocoldforme · 29/01/2017 16:26

I'm wondering if anyone has actually taken this to the bitter end? Having worked in finance I seem to remember you can't put someone in default if it's in dispute. Someones just said at the worst you can ask for a letter of deadlock. Anyone else heard of this?

OP posts:
JiltedJohnsJulie · 29/01/2017 16:42

How is it in dispute? You did use the data and they have proof that they warned you about the usage.

Is it really worth having a CCJ?

Original poster
Itstoocoldforme · 29/01/2017 16:51

Of course it's not worth having a fucking CCJ. I'm asking if I'm BU to resist and have a go! Jesus do you lot just roll over when you get exploited? What's wrong with you all? As far as comparing it to a parking fine goes, yes you can actually refuse to pay the private shark companies, because at the end of they day they have to PROVE they have lost 100 quid or whatever they are trying to extort out of people. If you send them a 'gesture of goodwill' payment of £10 they don't have a leg to stand on. Even if they have signs that are supposedly a legal contract. I know this for a fact! They get away with it because PEOPLE LIKE YOU ALLOW IT TO HAPPEN. Like banks overcharging. I've been on the the Ombudsman and they are overwhelmed with complaints about Vodafone.

OP posts:
DesolateWaist · 29/01/2017 16:55

Jesus do you lot just roll over when you get exploited?

But you are not getting exploited.
You ignored the text message.
You didn't supervise the phone use properly.
You signed a contract which will have had this listed.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 29/01/2017 16:59

Exactly Desolate. Couldn't have put it any better Smile

GladAllOver · 29/01/2017 17:00

I've been on the the Ombudsman and they are overwhelmed with complaints about Vodafone.
Well you're right there. Most of the phone companies are greedy, but Vodafone are the worst of the bunch.

bruffin · 29/01/2017 17:03

when i was with vodafone i very rarely got junk and always was warned when i was going over my data limit.

Original poster
Itstoocoldforme · 29/01/2017 17:04

I think that is beyond absurd. How can you defend something so morally reprehensible! What about people who don't understand about technology and contracts and don't read things. Should they be ripped off, or not have phones or other utilities? It's disgusting and Vodafone are pondscum according to Ofcom.

OP posts:
DesolateWaist · 29/01/2017 17:05

What about people who don't understand about technology and contracts and don't read things

It is your responsibility to read things. If you don't understand then you ask questions.

bruffin · 29/01/2017 17:10

you would have a text warning you when you had 199mb left , if you cant be botheted to read it then its your problem.
In this day and age its unbelievable that a young person doesnt know about data charges

Andrewofgg · 29/01/2017 17:15

It is your responsibility to read things. If you don't understand then you ask questions.

Exactly. It's a literate society.

HermioneJeanGranger · 29/01/2017 17:20

You signed the contract! Nobody is saying the charges are reasonable, but you signed a contract agreeing to pay for data at X-rate if you go over your contracted allowance.

They did the decent thing and sent you warning texts. It's not their fault you ignored them and carried on using your data. They have every right to claim their money. Just because other companies choose to waive large bills, doesn't mean Vodafone are doing anything wrong by expecting you to pay.

As a side note, when you can, switch to 02. I came close to using my data a few months in a row (never went over as I've set my phone to stop allowing me data access once I've hit my limit) and they gave me extra data for three months for free.

cricketballs · 29/01/2017 17:24

As bruffin has already stated - been with Vodafone for years; if you are getting close to limit they text so yes OP you need to pay

SaucyDough · 29/01/2017 17:25

Go with 3 or EE they have unlimited data and then you wouldn't have the issue.

No provider has unlimited usage across all plans. It depends on which tariff you choose.