26 Mar 2012 - Update Highest Rated Pain Stories Highest Rated Gain Stories Vodafail Local Facebook Page
Dear visitor,

Since its inception Vodafail.com has made a significant contribution towards raising awareness of the problems and issues faced by Vodafone customers.

Vodafone Australia customers have had the opportunity to voice their concerns, their fears and their troubles from every corner of Australia and beyond our borders. You have gathered the courage to stand up for your rights as consumers and to make your voice heard.

Each and every person who shared their story should have a sense of pride in this achievement and the changes that have occurred since the start of Vodafail.com.

More recently, traffic to Vodafail.com has declined significantly. Having achieved the goal of raising awareness and promoting concrete action in early 2011, we have now reached the point of closing Vodafail to new complaints. The site will remain online for as long as possible as a reminder and an example of what is possible when we share our experiences.

It has been a privilege to run this initiative and I'm am forever grateful for the help and support I've received. In particular I would like to thank Melissa, David and Travis for their continued efforts over the past 15 months. I'm also thankful and humbled by the support of ACCAN, Choice magazine and a wide range of media outlets, blogs and websites.

You can still browse existing stories and find out how to file a complaint if you are experiencing problems.

Until next time,

Adam Brimo

Share Your Pain


Vodafail.com is no longer accepting complaints.
Over the past 6 months traffic to Vodafail has declined significantly. Therefore we have closed off Vodafail to new complaints. We think you will find more joy in posting on any one of these fine product / brand review sites.

You can also post directly on the Vodafone community forums.

Other People's Pain


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1490 Someone from ACT thinks vodafone is Fail? I now use a piece of string between two cups and get better Coverage! at 24 Dec 2010 07:28:38 AM

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1488 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is two thumbs down. at 24 Dec 2010 05:23:25 AM
Just got a contract release, 15 months into my contract, with no break fees.
My advice:
- document your issues and attempts to resolve
- attempt to resolve with customer care but DO NOT fall for their stall tactics around testing your area, handset or SIM. The problem is probably a network issue, it's likely not caused by anything else.
- if continuing network or customer service issues occur, call the TIO.
- a customer service manager will call you back, although it may take up to ten days.
- they will offer you gratuities such as credit, a reduction in plan costs with a view to review in a month.
- if you want to break your contract, do not accept these offers. Explain that you've lost confidence in the network, you are highly reliant, etc; Explain that the only feasible resolution is a contract break.
- they will likely agree to this, conditionally. They may push the early termination fee or cost of handset. DO NOT accept this. Simply explain that you have been paying x amount for so many months and you must have covered a major proportion of the phone cost. If that doesn't work, explain that you are unsatisfied with the outcome and you will escalate with the TIO (Vodafone's fine increases every time you escalate due to non-resolution. Not only will their fine increase, but Vodafone also pay an amount of the TIO's operating costs proportionate to their issue burden).
- At this point, your release should be approved. Get this in writing, via email or SMS.
- You will be allowed to immediately port your number to another network.
- once you do port, an account closing balance will be issued. This WILL NOT include any penalty payments such as early break charges.

Stick with it and seek a fair outcome!
24 Dec 2010 07:41:03 AM: Thanks Two Thumbs down. it took me 3 trips to my local Vodafone dealer and 3 calls to so called customer service just to port my number across. WOW what an efficient company.
25 Dec 2010 10:19:47 AM: port your number to or from vodafone?
25 Dec 2010 07:19:32 PM: Ported my number from Vodafone to Telstra. The friendly folk at Telstra were so efficient, my number was ported before I even took my new phone out of the box. Turned my new phone on.in the Telstra store and it already had my number working.
There's no way in hell that would ever happen with voda.
By the way, been on Telstra for two days now. It is unbeluevable. no call
25 Dec 2010 07:20:37 PM: No calls dropped and amazing data speeds
26 Dec 2010 08:29:27 AM: Actually porting is handled by an external company that deals and accesses all Telcos, so it's not Telstra's efficiency that helped it. We frequently set up phones in store ready to go with ports daily. The number one cause for porting problems is incorrect account details provided to the telcos, so well done for getting it right, not many people fo :)
27 Dec 2010 07:27:45 AM: When I changed from Optus to Vodafone (mistake) I had to port my number through calling a Vodafone service (in India of course) despite being assured that my phone would be ready to go when I took it out of the box. This took them 4 days to organise as their systems were 'down'. So while it might be an external service that actually ports it, it still took Vodafone ages to actually arrange it.
27 Dec 2010 11:22:34 AM: Good advice and it works. Well almost they still try after 5 months. They have stopped now that I told them that they are harrasing me and I will press charges. NO more calls.

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1485 Someone from NT thinks vodafone is Vodafone is great!! at 23 Dec 2010 09:49:27 PM
To all that are complaining, I know why u cannot call anyone ... The people your are trying to call have blocked your number cause they find it to 'painful' to speak to u!! (no reception issue)I cannot believe people waste time on this. Try being nice to the customer service staff , I'm sure they don't go into your place of work and blame their list of personal problems on u.. Most people have bigger issues than phone reception in their lives to deal with , but it's all about u isn't it?? !!
23 Dec 2010 09:54:54 PM: Actually it's all about me..........the customer.
23 Dec 2010 10:22:27 PM: Yeah your the customer , if u don't like them ... Leave they probably don't like u either! I'm a customer at alot of places everyday and don't feel the need to be a complaining waste of space , if I need to say something I say it and don't blame the individual person who is working their butt off in a thank-less job! I'm sure u wouldn't jump onto a website as soon as u had a good experience. Grow a pair and move on
23 Dec 2010 10:48:32 PM: On the contrary, only the other day I complimented someone on their customer service with a web comment and I followed it up with a phone call as well. The sales person, company rep, customer service agent, call it what you will is the shop window for the Organisation. They are the front line staff, the first individual that a customer deals with. As far as growing a pair is concerned, I have grown a pair and they are bigger than yours.
23 Dec 2010 10:55:47 PM: This isn't a matter of not liking the company, it's a matter of Vodafone advertising and selling a service they know they can't provide. Then they understaff their service centres so that people can't get their problems resolved. The people who work in Vodafone stores should be just as upset with Vodafone as the customers for making their jobs infinitely harder.
23 Dec 2010 11:09:05 PM: Hmm just to easy to not tell the truth online , isn't it. As far as the staff being the front window, I agree but does this mean they should be treated Like crap? They have the same issues with phones etc , instead of being rude , getting pissed off or ruining your health and others by being/ stressing others out just go to a different company ! If u had the choice of Vodafone and before even seeing if it worked ( personal responsibility ) pay your contract out and go! It's always someone else's fault , no one forced u into that shop.
23 Dec 2010 11:14:48 PM: Well let's hope there is some good from this website and the customers and staff can enjoy Vodafone ! Maybe some direct letters to the CEO asking for a direct response from him!
24 Dec 2010 11:30:18 AM: you are making gross assumptions that all customers treat the staff badly. sometimes frustration boils over, but what steps are Vodafone management taking to help alleviate the problem for staff and customers?
and as for the previous comment - "It's always someone else's fault , no one forced u into that shop." pardon? I entered a contract. I pay them, they supply service. I'm still paying them but where is my service? both phone and customer!

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1483 Someone from VIC thinks vodafone is Total Fail at 23 Dec 2010 09:25:33 PM
After countless calls and emails to and from vodafone, I contacted TIO and informed vodafone the same day about my complaint, next day got a call off vodafone told them I want out of my contract ( been with them since sept this year) and they said ok, they didn't even try to keep my business no exit fees. Only have to return the phones. Don't put up with any of their lies in regards to fixing their network as high priority. If you ever get through to anyone tell them you want out of your contract and your not going to pay any exit fees. if they say yes you will pay exit fees hang up and contact TIO, they are well aware of vodafones issues.
24 Dec 2010 10:11:50 AM: Have you returned the phones and have they stopped billing you?
24 Dec 2010 01:58:11 PM: Haven't returned phones yet, I'm still looking for another provider. As for billing me not hundred percent sure. They offered to waive my monthly costs earlier but have yet to take them up on it.
25 Dec 2010 02:34:40 AM: Are you still paying UNTIL you return yourphone?There are some good enough pre-paid phones around at the moment, and a couple newish telcos offering what looks like much better deals. Amuse yourself with something other than your phone. Your phone does NOT define who you are, any more than what brand of cigarette used to define who you were, or what tribe you aspired to belong to.

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1482 Someone from VIC thinks vodafone is iphone is the fail! at 23 Dec 2010 09:10:48 PM
To everyone on this site complaining... blame yourselves and fkn smart phones. The only reason the network is so sh!t is due to the fact that you are all having a whinge about the lack of data provided, so when Voda increases it, you complain because it crashes the network? Brilliant.

Also if you own an iPhone... please stop talking. You knew what you were getting into and you knew the reception was terrible to begin with. Sure I understand its happening to other phones also, but half of you dickweeds still complain about the normal iPhone reception issues.



23 Dec 2010 09:55:48 PM: Are you for real?????
23 Dec 2010 10:53:50 PM: Wait, so Vodafone just blinding creates plans and caps without checking the capacity of their network? That's not entirely unsurprising but it is a new level of incompetence.
24 Dec 2010 05:30:11 AM: You're a weirdo. That's like saying don't blame the RTA for not fixing potholes in the road. Blame the fact you have a car!
24 Dec 2010 07:28:47 AM: OP. Stick to your Nokia 6130 and keep of the net. Thanks.
24 Dec 2010 10:07:43 AM: If you bought a phone based on Voodoofone ads featuring that phone and Ruby Rose, and that ad showed that phone being able to do such and such,(if you signed up with VF), did you know that you were signing up to that phone NOT being able to do that? No, because you don't find that out until AFTER you get the phone and all the settings. Then you phone VF about incorrect charges, only to be told that that phone is "incompatible with receiving that service".
To sign up for anything with VF after THAT would be a case of knowing that there's a good chance that you are likely to be ripped off.The ACCC needs to do its job and publicly expose Voodoofone for its numerous breaches of the Trade Practices Act, fine them so it hurts, and make people awawre just what a shonky operation Voodoofone Australia is. It will hurt shareholders financially as VF has ripped customers off. Maybe those shareholders will make the people responsible pay, because it seems the TIO and the ACCC and the government can't be bothered.
24 Dec 2010 11:25:16 AM: this is classic! I can only get an iphone on an account with Vodafone (in NZ) and yet it's MY fault the phone doesn't do everything THEY claim it will??

especially like the reply at 12.53.50am!


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1481 Someone from VIC thinks vodafone is terrible at 23 Dec 2010 08:30:01 PM
coverage is a disgrace!! The calls might be cheaper than other carriers but when you add up all the flagfall after each drop out you are better off going with Telstra in the beginning.

Despite what they say coverage is a long way off getting fixed. About 3years.

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1477 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is No network worst customer service at 23 Dec 2010 04:41:33 PM
Etiquites is a word off vodafone dictionary. The customer service staff are arrogant and the do not care attitude care attitude won't rake them anywhere.theei service is bad network is worst and the customer service more than worst(still finding netter word than worst in English dictionary).
Calls drop regularly data often does not work call them and be prepared to wait for ages just to get no answer.
23 Dec 2010 04:53:36 PM: Perhaps you should consult that dictionary more, your spelling is terrible.
23 Dec 2010 08:28:14 PM: no predictive text

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1476 Someone from WA thinks vodafone is Very disappointing at 23 Dec 2010 03:18:00 PM
I sent the following email today and am waiting on a reply:

From: Michael
Sent: Thursday, 23 December 2010 11:53 AM
To: 'Network.Feedback@vodafone.com.au'
Subject: My Vodafone service


Good afternoon,

It's with regret that I write this email. I've been a Vodafone customer for many years now and have always stood by your brand and service as a loyal customer.

The past few months I have begun to question that loyalty.

I currently use an iPhone 3GS and have experienced frequent network related issues with delays in network registration (sometimes taking over 5 minutes to locate the network), call dropouts, call fails and the recent Perth network outage. Today was an excellent example of this. I had to switch my handset off several times in a bid to have the network recognise it's presence so that I could make a call.

I have never had a hardware related issue with this handset, however was considering changing to a HTC phone as I am beginning to question whether it could be the iPhone. Friends and colleagues assure me that it is the network as they too are experiencing the same issues.

My problems with attaining network signal have steadily worsened and I am considering changing networks, even with the cost of cancelling my contract, in a bid to achieve a better standard of coverage in metropolitan Perth.

Is there any update available on improvements to coverage in Perth? Surely with the combined networks 3 and Vodafone there would have been integration between the networks by now?

If things don't improve I would certainly consider the option of changing service providers. At this point in time I am struggling to find reasons to retain my service with Vodafone.

I look forward to your reply,

Michael
27 Dec 2010 01:30:53 PM: Update from me. I got a phone call on Xmas eve advising that a specialist network rep would investigate all my issues. He waived this months entire bill (yet to be confirmed) and advised that I would receive a call the following day (Xmas day) to update me on the progress of their investigations. I queried whether they would be making followup calls on Xmas day and was advised yes. It is now 27th Dec and I have had no update and no calls from them whatsoever. I sincerely doubt that my bill has even been waived as promised. Stay tuned.
29 Dec 2010 01:54:59 PM: Another update from me, got a call from same guy as before in the 'high priority' complaints team (?) forgive me I didn't catch the dept name clearly. Not only have I been offered a waiver of this months invoice but also assured if this doesn't turn out well I will be released from my contract without financial penalty. I'm impressed not only at the tone of the response I have received but the fact I actually got a call back. I honestly don't want to change service providers. I hope this does get better! I guess I worded my complaint email rather well...Stay tuned. PS: Can't really confirm bill has been waived until I receive following invoice...

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1475 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is MAJOR FAIL at 23 Dec 2010 03:08:20 PM
Work in Sydney CBD, have to try a few times to make calls, line keeps dropping, even with full reception its crap, third worls countrys have better networks, also there is no coverage on the train (east hills line), my iphone is now just an Ipod, the phone part is useless piece of crap... major FAIL..
23 Dec 2010 03:24:33 PM: also, I was in Liverpool last Saturday, for around 15 minutes i couldent even connect to the Vfone network, i had to use a pay phone to locate my wife, then amazingly i got full reception, i did re noot my phone, go into airplane mode and back , reseat sim etc etc, sll failed.. just had NO signal. now i cant even trust that i can make phone calls so its back to living in the 80's were i have to use a pay phone, by the way its an iphone 3gs so that band could of bene dodgy, but still unacceptable..
23 Dec 2010 06:44:05 PM: you could say it was iphone but my bf has a samsung galaxy and his phone drops out too. we both work in bris cbd and its shit. iphone 4 had issues in the states but not here. i think it was the white one too because it is made out of different materials to the black one which is why they held off on selling it here. people who use iphone 4 on optus or telstra dont have problems.

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1465 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is a sad huge fail at 23 Dec 2010 09:51:08 AM
I've been a Vodafone customer for years. Things were awesome until 2010 until now I never had a bad word to say about them. At the start of the year I lost total reception for three days, I rang Vodafone and they gave me a discount for that month, only had to pay half my bill so I was happy with that. It was simple and easy.
The last 3 months I have had more days without reception than with. This also includes numerous in store sim swaps with staff who were very apologetic and helpful, but limited in what they can do. I've used different phones and I just don't have the reception Vodafone use to give me. I've emailed Vodafone numerous times only to be told 'they will launch an investigation with their technicians and someone will contact me within 5 business days' No one does. I try to phone Vodafone and I spend hours on hold and speak to no one, or I get disconnected. This also means tying up a land line that is not mine as my mobile phone is the only phone number I have.
Finally fed up with it all, I contacted the TIO asking them to contact Vodafone on my behalf to release me from my contract - done with in one week. No penalty due to me, no early exit fees they just asked that I pay $150.00 to keep my phone or send it back. I'm paying the $150.00 to keep my phone as it would cost me more to buy a new one.
Sadly how Vodafone have treated, or should I say not treated me with my questions and frustrations I may have been more inclined to 'wait it out' but as the mobile is my only contact number, I need reception, I need to be able to use it for it's intended purpose.
I have read many of the posts on here and people comment that you can go and get 'ripped off' by other phone companies - I don't have a problem paying for what I'm getting, so long as I'm getting it.
23 Dec 2010 03:06:43 PM: You also took some responsibility, communicated your issue and reached a satisfactory conclusion. All customers experiencing difficulty should follow your example. However you may receive a no answer for various reasons. You may have to suck it up and accept that you signed a contract.

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1464 Someone from SA thinks vodafone is i useless at 23 Dec 2010 09:21:37 AM
I think that ever since the merger with Hutchinson 3 the network coverage has gotten worse. i have only recently upgraded and my phone is dropping calls. this is pathetic. do something or the tio can get me out of my plan like they did when i was with Hutchinson 3.
23 Dec 2010 12:49:52 PM: Well you're thinking wrong, the 3 network has not changed with the merger, both networks are still seperate.

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1462 Someone from VIC thinks vodafone is Shocking at 23 Dec 2010 09:12:10 AM
Melbourne reception is non existent.
Add to that the fact that im making interstate calls to sydney where reception is equally bad and im left with a brick,

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1460 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is beyond fail at 23 Dec 2010 08:41:46 AM
Again, Sydney CBD and metropolitan - can't hold a call, can't connect a call, sometimes doesn't even connect to the network at all for hours. Not recieving text messages for up to 3 days.
For months I thought it was just my handset acting up and even considered getting a new one, but then I read all the articles and came across this website - I'm not paying for a new handset when I now know it's a network error! I'll just switch networks.
23 Dec 2010 08:53:03 AM: vodafone your farkin useless

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1457 Someone from VIC thinks vodafone is they should pay me to use it at 23 Dec 2010 08:02:41 AM
My company has contracted Vodafone...man they must have done this remotely to not see the rubbish coverage Vodafone have. I live outside of Melbourne and require both voice and data access ... what a joke, did Vodafone have a 3 year old colour a melways map and then pass this off as their coverage area?
Apart from the service being extrremely poor and unreliable in Melbourne during business hours, it gets worse as soon as you arrive at Southern Cross station ... drop out and stay out until Ballarat area, and then this is poor and unreliable.
At least with Telstra I had the coverage they claimed and a decent support call centre approach!
Think it would be easier to buys a flock of pidgeons and use them to send and receive messages, more chance of success anyway.

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1455 Someone from Somewhere else thinks vodafone is Unreliable across the country at 23 Dec 2010 07:49:32 AM
I have a Blackberry for work purposes that's on the Vodafone Network. My job requires travel across the country and "without fail" my service has been crap from Melbourne to New Castle to Sydney. Constantly get no 3G or any reception in the heart of Melbourne! My Blackberry and Data Card are useless. I also carry my personal Optus/Virgin Mobile around and that seems to be more reliable in the same locations. Vodafone sucks.
28 Dec 2010 10:45:10 PM: Newcastle? Telstra is probably the only company who have full coverage on the highways and country roads.. I'm with optus and it doesn't even work half the time.

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1454 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is useless at communication at 23 Dec 2010 07:44:45 AM
Trying to complain about service levels, so I logged a complaint ticket. I received and automated response about how they provide coverage. I requested that they answer the question. Another auto-response saying that they are busy and will get back to me when they can. Ok, so I waited. Then they closed the ticket after 120 hours because there was no activity.

Pick up your game and let me out of my contract. Incident: 101214-000237

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1446 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is still failing, but is there a light? at 22 Dec 2010 10:19:26 PM
After e-mailing a complaint listing all my issues, I finally got a reply today (several days after my intitial email submission). I've got to say I was impressed by the admission that the Vodafone network has been on the fritz for "several months" (though the wording went something like "some of our customers have been experiencing reception problems in some areas"). I was also told that they've now opened their Customer Care call centre 24 hours, due to the high demand.

The lady proceeded to offer me one month of free access as compensation after telling me that they were working to fix the problems, "hopefully before Christmas". I accepted the compensation, only because I don't have a phone other than the HTC Desire HD that I purchased just a month ago on a 12 month contract (and I'm loving the phone), so cancelling my contract would leave me without a phone and a huge headache.

I'm still getting constant phone and internet drop outs, delays in messages, and calls that don't come through. This site is hopefully putting more and more pressure on Vodafone to lift their game. I'm publicising it on my FB account and telling other Vodafone members about it to share their experiences.

Power to the people!

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1443 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is Zero quality service at 22 Dec 2010 09:51:25 PM
Three accounts from VFail..network is as bad as it can get..forget 3G..even EDGE is a problem.
Broadband..can't get to the home page in Stanhope Gardens (near Sunnyholt drive), NSW; when can I get my 2GB. Zero utilization in two months.
Acconting...did not apply 3 free months (NRMA)...added insurance without my consent. What a waste of my time and money.

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1441 Someone from VIC thinks vodafone is so fail at 22 Dec 2010 09:06:46 PM
well the obvious, it is constantly losing reception (no service in bourke st? really?) which is compounded by the fact my phone now continuously beeps "no package data" all day.

lets add on that they are charging me for 2 data packages and i cant seem to get that fix...

oh and my total fav... waited on the phone for 40 mins to find out number for the bourke st store as it only had the 1300 number listed on the website, person on the line sent me a text with the number, refused to transfer me through. when i called it, it was 7eleven that answered.

i would love for someone in the company to actually offer to help me as when i try i get nowhere.
23 Dec 2010 05:40:22 AM: 03 9639 0899
it's on the Internet.

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1440 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is at 22 Dec 2010 08:20:52 PM
I have a HTC and my Vodafone coverage is fine. A lot of the network issues seem to be based sound iPhone and Nokia n97 users. What is the relationship here. Why must every second person must have an iPhone
22 Dec 2010 09:06:23 PM: thankyou. couldn't have said it better myself. does nobody remember the iphone 4 debacle when they first came out? no reception.
22 Dec 2010 09:20:01 PM: I have an HTC Desire HD, the issues are the same regardless of the phone.
23 Dec 2010 05:42:15 AM: Ummm, the reason most people who are having problems are iPhone users is because most phones sold are iPhones. It's an accurate reflection of the population of smartphone users!
23 Dec 2010 08:09:28 AM: I'm on a blackberry curve, and previously a HTC Touch Dual. Drop-outs are same regardless of both those handsets

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1438 Someone from ACT thinks vodafone is at 22 Dec 2010 07:41:32 PM
Vodafone isn't the only company having network problems, Optus has been having a rough time too. The networks weren't designed to handle the massive data usage that smartphones offer. People used to complain that mobile downloads were too expensive, and now that the prices have come down they overuse 3G and clog the network! I was furious with Vodafone for all the things people are outlining below - call dropouts, texts taking too long and no 3G. I changed from my iPhone back to a Nokia and NONE of the problems remain. My partner has an HTC and always has full coverage when my iphone struggles.

This website only highlights our disgusting dependence on technology and instantaneous communication. I'm going to write my Nan a letter instead of calling her this week.
22 Dec 2010 07:51:30 PM: That's adorable say Hi to your Nan for me.
22 Dec 2010 07:57:16 PM: Iphones are the worst phone made for someone wanting it as a phone! enjoy your over priced ipods douche bags!

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1436 Someone from QLD thinks vodafone is at 22 Dec 2010 07:25:57 PM
someone actually started a website about this? really?

clearly some people have too much time on their hands. im seconding the notion of this being "an excuse to complain about the most minuscule and pathetic issues in life".

if anyone else works in telecommunications, they know what the phrase "network upgrade" means. $500 billion in network upgrades in the next 12 months... yes, doesnt seem like vodafone wants to fix their network at all.

read your contracts people, and find something else to do than blog about.

and to the blogger who works at Optus - I work for Vodafone. Dont start on customer service. At least vodafone staff know what the word SMILE means.
22 Dec 2010 07:31:39 PM: /like
22 Dec 2010 07:52:08 PM: HA CLASSIC. note to telstra and optus.. last time i checked you didnt have perfect networks either?
22 Dec 2010 08:17:23 PM: nicely put :)
22 Dec 2010 09:19:16 PM: Making this website was just a nice way to pass the time while I was on hold to complain about the fact I couldn't receive or make voice calls half the day. That messages and voicemail were arriving a day late and the calls that did go through drop out.
22 Dec 2010 10:08:26 PM: Optus is the worst. They sold me a phone in a dodgy box that ended up being faulty. They don't even follow correct business rules because they're all franchised not company owned. A friend of mine is an ex employee and they used to use 90 points of ID instead of 100 and would exaggerate details in credit checks to get people approved. Last time I checked that was FRAUD
22 Dec 2010 10:11:04 PM: To QLD (original poster), tell it to the people who are relying on their mobile phones for business and work, only to find that they're not receiving calls. Tell it to people who are waiting for important phone calls/SMSs to come through for personal reasons. We're paying for a service that isn't being provided. I think people have every right to complain.
23 Dec 2010 08:16:15 AM: I 2nd that last post. We rely on our wireless comms as much as electricity for our business. It's not like there are phone booths on every corner anymore, and if there were...there's no 3G there either :(
23 Dec 2010 12:54:09 PM: It's Telstra's fault there's no phone booths... Oh wait wrong site... better go find Telstrafail.com...
24 Dec 2010 12:37:56 PM: $500 billion in network upgrades? is that a correct figure? and in what part of our contracts does it state poor network performance is acceptable? is it next to the stipulation of poor customer service is tolerated? or next to the stipulation that the company you're signing this contract with may merge with another global network and completely offshore all customer service based activity, bar store staff, at their own discretion? I'm happy that Vodafone employees are happy in their jobs and feel the need to support the company when times are tough, signs of a good person with loyalty where it should be. but don't neglect the fact that your company is responsible to one entity first and foremost; the majority stakeholder, in this case, us the consumer. So it's your responisbility to give us the time of day to complain about service from your network when it's underperforming, and not roll your eyes when we go into your stores, or treat us like a number when we call your call centres. we give you the dignity of allowing you to upsell and speed read our contracts when going through the motions of your sales process, so please allow us the same respect when we decide your service isn't good enough anymore and use other channels to vent our frustrations.
27 Dec 2010 07:46:23 AM: Great to know a middle of the road telco like Vodafone can afford to spend half the GDP of Australia on "network upgrades". Is that you Russell Crow? I didn't know you worked at Vodafone.

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1435 Someone from WA thinks vodafone is Epic Fail (Last Several Months) at 22 Dec 2010 07:14:23 PM
Over the last, say, seven months... my service has been awful. I actually switched to Vodafone mid last year from the rip-off Telstra network and found the coverage "okay". Not quite as good or consistent as Telstra, but close enough. We had just built a new house 20km North of CBD and needed a new phone, as well as an internet connection. I decided to get an iPhone 3GS and thether it - AND IT WORKED! It was quite fast and reliable... until the pain started.

First, you couldn't get to the "myvodafone" website to check usage or pay bills whilst on their 3G network (DNS Issues). Whirlpool searches showed this going on for YEARS. Vodafone told me to use another internet connection to do it... but I had none!

Over the last seven months or so, drop-outs, poor signal, missed calls, SMSs not sending (or lagging when incoming), rubbish 3G speeds (when you can get it at all). It's now almost unusable in my house. The same place it worked well and provided 3G internet... now drops calls, fails 3G (switches to Edge) and calls I do make/get sound terrible.

Fix your fucking network. I can see a tower from here. I used to get full bars and 3G, now I get 2/3 bars at best (and thats mostly a lie). Grrr.
22 Dec 2010 07:16:02 PM: iPhones - The Bain of Telco's worldwide.
22 Dec 2010 07:40:01 PM: They are investing billions of dollars in improving their network. if you notice a lot of customers with reception issues are using iPhones. definitely not a coincidence. more of a proven phone issue. Maybe take apples excuse and 'hold your phone a different way'
22 Dec 2010 09:24:44 PM: Except that the majority of people do not have iPhones, including many of those complaining about their problems.
23 Dec 2010 09:38:54 AM: actually no majority of complaints that i have seen are from people with smart phones and even within them the majority is with iphones
23 Dec 2010 09:41:04 AM: actually no majority of complaints that i have seen are from people with smart phones and even within them the majority is with iphones
27 Dec 2010 06:46:58 AM: I have two Perth friends with iphones on optus and we have conversations for hours at a time no worries, so it's not iphone that's the problem.
27 Dec 2010 08:32:11 AM: I dont have an Iphone and have the same issues. I thought it was my phone that was the problem so i went to Vodafone stored. i explained calls were dropping out, i had no signal at times, i was missing calls so i bought anew phone then had the same problems it no the phone cause its only 6 months old.

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1433 Someone from ACT thinks vodafone is Failtastic at 22 Dec 2010 07:08:47 PM
22 Dec 2010 10:11:18 PM: Let me guess you all have iPhones
22 Dec 2010 10:18:55 PM: I reckon you and I communicated with the same woman from Vodafone. Does her name begin with A? I was given the exact same response re improvements by Christmas, then an offer of one month free access (I'm only a few weeks into my 12 month contract).

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1416 Someone from TAS thinks vodafone is Hot! at 22 Dec 2010 05:14:20 PM
just signed up to vodafone! dont care about reception issues just amazed at how good looking the staff there are!
22 Dec 2010 05:20:01 PM: awesome, people are buying products on sex appeal. great message to our future generations. no wonder this world is messed up
22 Dec 2010 05:30:31 PM: amen!!
28 Dec 2010 07:46:50 PM: Spoken by two ugly ppl

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1413 Someone from VIC thinks vodafone is Substandard at 22 Dec 2010 04:57:09 PM
Having seen first hand at the transmission network Vodafone relies on to meet customer exptations, it's no wonder they are having all this trouble. The way the network was designed by Ericsson and having installed the rubbish they gave us...no wonder the network is just not performing....vote with your feet...walk away.

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1409 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is Very Fail at 22 Dec 2010 03:10:15 PM
See below, feel free to copy and forward with your story to:-

1. Vodafone
2. TIO

Call received within 1 day of TIO being informed from a decision maker in Australia.

Result:-

1. 2 Months Credit
2. Released from contract.

Good Luck

To whom it may concern,

I am severely disappointed in the level of service (or lack thereof) being provided from your network, and your customer service team. Your lack of network coverage in western Sydney, has been of an unsatisfactory level for the past two months. It has become so bad it has come to me writing this email.

I have spent most of the day attempting to get this issue resolved with your customer service team, however when I contacted your business call centre at 1400 hours on the 20th December 2010, your customer service personnel was unable to assist me due to computer issues. He could not call me back, and insisted I would have to make another call later in the day to sort it out.

I rang again around 1850 hours, and waited on hold for around 80 minutes, until your network lost reception and disconnected me.

I then rang again at 2120 hours and waited on hold for around 60 minutes until the call was answered, the customer service person told me he would put me on hold for 2 minutes and get back to me, another 83 minutes later another customer service person answered the phone, and then it dropped out.

The problems I am experiencing are continual call drop-outs covering most areas between Penrith, Blacktown, Castle Hill and Parramatta (the area my business operates in). On top of this the 3G connection enabling my email and internet access is also slower or non-existant from time to time and lagging of sms messages. These problems have been occurring for around the past 2 months, with no improvements. In attempt to see if the situation gets any better I have tried another sim card (on my account), and a different phone, and I still receive the same problems.

These problems have caused extreme inconvenience and have financially affected my business, through being non-contactable and getting sms messages too late, that a potential customer has sourced another company to conduct the repairs work.

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1402 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is IDIOTS! at 22 Dec 2010 11:04:14 AM
Northern Beaches- How to get out of your contract.....I just did. I advised them that it was my only phone at home (i.e we do not have a landline) and they ended a newly signed (i.e 3 months ago) 24 month contract WITHOUT QUESTION. All i have to do is return the phone which came with the contract.

Don't let the customer service operator fool you into conducting the "tests" i.e try a new sim, turn phone off and on, telling you that they will call you back later (on your mobile phone) when you are in the place where you have no reception -what is wrong with these people. Aggressilvely DEMAND to speak to the cancellations team oh, did I mention? Expect to be on hold for + 1hr 20mins!!!! GOOD LUCK!
22 Dec 2010 11:12:57 AM: Ask for the 'loyalty' team. They are there to listen.
22 Dec 2010 11:22:02 AM: Somehow after this DEBARCLE I don't think the word 'loyalty' will exist in VODA-world.
22 Dec 2010 01:12:08 PM: What debacle? Sounds like a whole lot of unique individual problems that happened who knows when under who knows what circumstances randomly and rarely once in the past at some point much like any telco.
22 Dec 2010 01:39:06 PM: "unique individual problems that happened who knows when under who knows what circumstances randomly and rarely once in the past at some point much like any telco." Get a clue and read the problems on this site. If you don't think it's real then go about your business and don't bother yourself wasting time speculating - that's what vodafail are good at.
27 Dec 2010 12:44:05 PM: You are WRONG. The ACCC INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT VODAFONES SERVICE IS CRAP< AND DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD OF THE CONTRACT THEY HAVE AGREED TO.

I CANNOT get a signal inside the building I work in.. IN THE SUBURBS OF MELBOURNE, IN A MAJOR UNIVERSITY. I have to GO OUTSIDE.

You are an IGNORANT MORON, who is making excuses for a company that is failing in its obligations to its customers. And your attitude is EXACLTY what I expect from a vodaho troll.

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1401 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is They are Forked! at 22 Dec 2010 10:58:54 AM
I recently spent over 2.5 hours on hold to them wanting to upgrade my plan to the new Apple iPhone 4, I never got through to them, so I tried again, after 1.5 hours on hold I had to have a bathroom break and couldn't wait any longer. So Im stuck till I get get through to one of the fools at Vodafone. My pain worsens, now as with all the other Vodafone users I am making multiple calls to have one conversation, thanks to their excellent coverage.

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1398 Someone from QLD thinks vodafone is No coverage inside my house. at 22 Dec 2010 10:42:51 AM
Well having to go out in the rain to receive and make work calls is some what disappointing.

Thankfully i have a SIP client on my HTC so i can connect via my Wi-fi but what a joke. Wifes on Optus no issue, Telstra no issue just good old voda.

22 Dec 2010 11:11:04 AM: I have coverage upstairs, but in selected rooms only; or in the driveway...and up the back near the vege patch, otherwise no. Are we in the sticks? Not exactly, just 14km from Brisbane CBD. And in two spots on my commute I know where it will cut out like clockwork...genius network.

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1396 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is total fail at 22 Dec 2010 10:12:37 AM
Let's see, minimal reception that drops out to nothing whenever it feels like it. Failed text messages, failed mms messages, failed incoming calls, failed out going calls, missing voicemails, web pages don't load, as for calling vodafone, I've logged up about 4 hours and still haven't got this sorted.
I have used 3 different phones, I've changed sim cards, I've got new sim cards. This is not me or my phones, this is Vodafone.
I am happy to go to Telstra and pay more providing I don't encounter all these errors all at once. Considering my family members at home are with Telstra and not one of them has had any of the issues I've had recently.

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1395 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is the worst telco at 22 Dec 2010 10:09:05 AM
have bought 2 hand sets both different brands and coverage with vodafone IS TERRIBLE !!! and only live approx 10/12ks from sydney ,(can not make or receive any calls whislt at home ) very painful trying to explain to various people at vodafone that its not a handset fault . they would promise in calling me back when i am at home but unfortunatley still waiting on call .Am sick of calling Lara !!!! please help have only been with voda for 3 mths need to find out how to cancel contract
22 Dec 2010 10:17:25 AM: Read your contract and you will find a point in there that you can argue them on cancel your contract.
Also contact the Telecommunications Ombudsmen - if they signed you on when they had no coverage in this area you can cancel your contract.
22 Dec 2010 10:17:26 AM: Read your contract and you will find a point in there that you can argue them on cancel your contract.
Also contact the Telecommunications Ombudsmen - if they signed you on when they had no coverage in this area you can cancel your contract.
22 Dec 2010 10:49:35 AM: However if you are complaining about in-building coverage...no network will guarantee indoor reception due to the variables associated with building construction. You won't have a leg to stand on. That is also in your Ts and Cs or find that cherry spot by the window.
22 Dec 2010 11:15:42 AM: See my post above......
Northern Beaches- How to get out of your contract.....I just did. I advised them that it was my only phone at home (i.e we do not have a landline) and they ended a newly signed (i.e 3 months ago) 24 month contract WITHOUT QUESTION. All i have to do is return the phone which came with the contract.

Don't let the customer service operator fool you into conducting the "tests" i.e try a new sim, turn phone off and on, telling you that they will call you back later (on your mobile phone) when you are in the place where you have no reception -what is wrong with these people. Aggressilvely DEMAND to speak to the cancellations team oh, did I mention? Expect to be on hold for 1hr 20mins!!!! GOOD LUCK!

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1394 Someone from SA thinks vodafone is fail it fail hard at 22 Dec 2010 09:51:09 AM
Can't get decent 3G download speeds in Adelaide CBD!!! I'm on North Terrace and downloading emails getting onto the app store etc are a pain in the but. I mean if I can't get decent coverage in the CBD then where the hell can I get it? Seriously you fail vodafone you fail hard.
22 Dec 2010 03:03:59 PM: There is so much free and legal wifi on North Tce, and pretty fast,give it a try.internode.on.net. or citylan.
27 Dec 2010 12:44:00 PM: im using vodafone for a month now and totally dissappointed with the service , the calls drops, message delays and no reception all of my friends says that why ur phone is always switched off when it actually is on. so i really wanna sue vodafone for this
4 Jan 2011 10:38:52 AM: Try getting onto internode free wifi if you're more than 100m from a hotspot and tell me it's fast.

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1393 Someone from VIC thinks vodafone is The worst at 22 Dec 2010 09:05:25 AM
22 Dec 2010 09:37:59 AM: Been on hold one hour and 5 minutes since they've called me back ....
22 Dec 2010 11:02:59 AM: Maybe try early in the morning to call? Be at the front of the queue.
22 Dec 2010 01:19:58 PM: It doesn't make a bit of difference what time you call. They have so many customer complaints and issues they can't deal with the volume of calls

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1390 Someone from ACT thinks vodafone is Earlwood Area No 3 G NSW at 22 Dec 2010 08:29:29 AM
21st December Sporadic 3G reception from 14.00 to well after 00.00.Was on hold with Vodafone for appox 1hr.20 min and gave up.Friend rang me on land line to ask why my mobile was off !
Finally contacted them this morning Vodafone is unaware of any problems in the southern area of Sydney yesterday. Once again no compensation or truth about poor service.

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1389 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is poor coverage poor service at 22 Dec 2010 07:46:05 AM
In this article http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/furious-vodafone-customers-spark-accc-probe-20101217-190gl.html Vodafone's director of customer service, Cormac Hodgkinson said:

"It's not saying we aren't seeing customers come through with problems but in terms of the specific issues that we knew about that were pretty much across the network, they have now been addressed,"

i rang vodafone technical support today, and they said that there are known issues in manly (nsw) and sydney cbd, so this guy is a liar.

22 Dec 2010 05:21:01 PM: Cause clearly a quote in an article is going to be up to the second accurate....

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1387 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is EXTREMELY at 22 Dec 2010 07:18:41 AM
i have random reception, people do not received my sms's, i cannot connect to the internet

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1386 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is Extreme Fail at 22 Dec 2010 05:22:18 AM
When I joined Vodafone 12 months ago, I explicitly stated that not only do I need reception in my home town (obviously), but I need reception where my parents live in a small town on the other side of the Blue Mountains. Vodafone sold me the plan and the phone (iPhone 3GS) and told me I would have no service problems. The reason I need reception at where my parents live is my mother is sick. Sure enough, I get to my parents town and I have reception for probably 40% of the time. Ringing Vodafone, I was told a "network upgrade is taking place soon". I gave Vodafone the benefit of the doubt and over the next 12 months, my visits to my parents hom town resulted in the same reception problems. I rang Vodafone recently about this and they told me that my phone is incompatible with Vodafones network. When I told them it was the phone they sold me, they told me to "turn 3G off". I told them 3G is always off on my phone because it works slightly better, even for data (go figure!) and then they told me next time I am in the town to call them so they can troubleshoot it. I said to them "so I wait until my phone has reception, call Vodafone, be on hold for over an hour in which time my phone will probably drop out, and then if I get through, I will be told that my phone is working. Or I won't have reception and won't be able to call". They then told me to call from a land line. This is where the saga is currently at. I can't wait to get away from Vodafone... And will NEVER go back! I HATE Telstra/ Bigpond but at least their mobile network and 3G are good!
22 Dec 2010 08:08:37 AM: GO INTO A VODAFONE STORE AND ASK THEM TO ACTIVATE NATIONAL ROAMING ON YOUR ACCOUNT. CALL RATES ARE SLIGHTLY HIGHER BUT COVERED IN YOUR CAP
22 Dec 2010 09:07:45 AM: national roaming works in very few places (mainly the back end of Vic) don't bother for NSW. Grab a phone that supports 900Mhz instead and I bet your oldies have a landline that can contact you on the other side of the granite curtain should there be a problem.
22 Dec 2010 12:50:46 PM: Looks like the very example of what is described in a previous blog on this site (refer "which Voda network ??? at 21 Dec 2010 06:13:35 PM"). Voda 3g uses 2100/900mhz but I think the iPhone 3GS is 2100/850mhz hence incompatible with Voda regional 3g which operates on 900mhz.
29 Dec 2010 08:22:38 PM: I had the exact same issue with 3G.. I was getting better performance using EDGE than I was with 3G. Ridiculous.

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1385 Someone from WA thinks vodafone is Painful at 22 Dec 2010 12:22:09 AM
Heres and idea. Why dont the Vodafone excuitives stop spending money on the current advertizing blitz, direct that money into upgrading to a world class network faster and then invite new customers to be a part of somthing special. I've been under contract 7 months and i'm saving to payout my service already. I previously thought my last telco was bad. I'm ready to beat their door down to take me back.

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1379 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is not good enough at 21 Dec 2010 07:04:33 PM
21 Dec 2010 07:15:19 PM: Iphone 3GS. They suck.
21 Dec 2010 07:19:50 PM: Somehow that doesn't relate to this person's issues. I feel your pain, if you logged a complaint and have recorded the issue you should be out in no time. Goodluck!
21 Dec 2010 07:23:54 PM: I bet it does...my stinky handset meter is going crazy!
22 Dec 2010 11:12:47 AM: I had an iPhone 3GS with nightmares on vodafone and then switched to Blackberry Bold on new 24 month contract with vodafone - it was worse...

Ummm, somehow I don't think it is the phone!
23 Dec 2010 03:10:39 PM: You went from Iphone to BB!?? Ha ha no wonder!
27 Dec 2010 03:27:55 PM: You can break the contract. Tell them you are going to contact the Telecommunications ombudsmen and lodge a complaint for failing to provide the service you signed up for. Also quote them "IT IS AGAINST THE LAW TO ENTER INTO A LEGALLY BINDING CONTRACT IF YOU CAN NOT LIVE UP TO THE SERVICE DESCRIBED"
20 Jan 2011 02:02:12 AM: Unless you're Vodafone- the Sacred Cow of Australian telcos.Cow in every sense.

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1378 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is disappointing at 21 Dec 2010 06:59:38 PM
I've been a customer for a few years, only 12 months ago I took advantage of the internet deal 1/2 price for the first 6 months $20 then $40 for the following 18 months up to 5g of downloads, sounds like a good deal. I'd been paying about $120 a month with Telstra Bigpond for some time (maybe 5 years) and had continual trouble with the home phone not working at the same time as the internet, going back to the dark ages of "dial up" even to the point where the Telstra contractor advised that he couldn't fix it but had the hide to ask me if it was ok if he told Telstra head office it was fixed so he could move onto the next job... ANYWAY it never got fixed, so we changed to Vodafone dongle.

When we signed up, the salesperson in Vodafone shop admitted that there was problems with the connection/reception, but being a mobile phone customer and not having too many problems with the mobile phone I didn't think it would be that bad in our house.

We rarely have connection, we are paying for a service we cannot use, it makes you feel like you are absolutely being completely ripped off! When we do get connection, like right now, it's always a poor signal.

Now we have problems with both mobiles as well, all the same problems as most people on here, late voicemail (if you get it), dropping out all the time and connection problems.

The worst thing is I'll sit on my couch will not be able to connect to the internet because of poor signal but get full internet 3g on my phone next to me??!! What the?

I've read a lot of the complaints here on the site, all I can say is I'm glad I'm not working on the management team of this company! The amount of work that's required to fix this mess is going to be almost impossible and I'll take my hat off to Vodafone if they can fix the problem. Word of mouth is how they got so popular but it could possibly be the end of them.
22 Dec 2010 02:01:57 PM: How are you being ripped off when you were advised that "the salesperson in Vodafone shop admitted that there was problems with the connection/reception" (to quote your comment), yet you went ahead and did it anyway?

Don't you think you are a little bit responsible for YOUR own actions.
27 Dec 2010 09:17:50 AM: the equal and possibly more valid point is that VODAFONE is legally bound to provide a service that works (doesnt have to be free from bugs but it has to work as described)
regardless of what the sales person said . Infact the sales person i would imagine has actually admitted liability on behalf of VODAFONE , VODAFONE knew of the limitations /problems yet still sold the product to this customer fully aware that it would be unable to be used or fit for the purpose it was purchased/intended (info is available at http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/)
im wondering if the person who wrote the last reply (22 Dec 2010 04:01:57 PM) knows what Unconscionable conduct is , (link http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/716807)
an old saying yet a good one , "just cause i say its legal dont mean it is"
please let us know what part of vodafone you work in , this will give us a VERY clear indication how far up the managerial column this arrogance/total disregard for customers goes (very obvious you work for Vodafone)


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1377 Someone from QLD thinks vodafone is 2 at 21 Dec 2010 06:57:12 PM
Delayed voicemail , bad reception in the centre of Brisbane . Slow Internet connection
22 Dec 2010 04:55:50 PM: Was walking along Eagle Street in the Brisbane CBD last week... totally dead. No bars all the way along.

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1372 Someone from QLD thinks vodafone is 20 out of 10!!!!! at 21 Dec 2010 05:39:02 PM
I USED TO WORK FOR VODA SO U MIGHT WANT SOME INSIDE STORIES

HERE IS THE GOSSIP...........
ANY new phone that everyone wants they keep for connecting new customers only. They do not give two hoots about existing customers. There are emails that have circulated saying, "if an existing customer walks in asking about iPhone 4, do not tell them that you have any instock unless they specifically ask for it. The ratio for selling iPhone 4 should be 70% to new customers and 30% to existing customers,' and im pretty sure that when iPhone 4 came out business rules from Apple said that first in best dressed. I wonder if Apple would keep selling iPhone 4 to Vodafone if they knew all the sneaky shit they did to gain new customers.
........ I wish I had copied a bunch of these emails before I left.
its great to get heaps of new customers to the point where you conjest your network (and trust me, it is f*@king conjested, there was meant to be a map coming out before i left about conjested areas so we did not connect people in those areas), have all of your existing customers kick up a stink about not being able to get what they want and pretty much have everyone on the network mad at you because of these issues.
Do you ever wonder why when you go into a store you are told you cant keep your pre-paid number??? it's because it doesnt count towards store bonus. poor s/c does all of that work and it doesnt go towards the store, then territory manager and store manager play hard arse and say, 'why didnt you do enough 'NEW" connections. you could have signed up 20 existing pre-paid customers to contracts which is how vodafone make their money (which they never fail to remind us) and it is not good enough. once my three plans are up with vodafone i will be changing. the amount of victimisation and WORKPLACE bullying that i have seen across so many stores across 2 states is unbelieveable. 3 legacy has taken over and it is disgraceful. once I have enough stories together i will be putting in a complaint to the employment onbudsman and passing on info to TIO because workwise and customer expectation wise it is not good enough
21 Dec 2010 05:44:30 PM: Clearly you haven't worked for them for a while, the whole thing about stock for existing customers doesn't exist any more. Siebel will not let anyone process an upgrade for iPhones, Samsung Galaxy or Desire HD's. It's got nothing to do with store level decisions.

Also if things were as bad as you say they were, why didn't you approach your TM or State Manager? Our TM has been pretty clear on the distribution of stock since day one. We've never been criticised for not making target, our SM doesn't "bully" us into making connects. So perhaps for a moment you might wake up to the fact that what happened to you does not mean it happens company wide.
21 Dec 2010 05:48:36 PM: The worst thing about Vodafone seems to be that they employ people like you. God that was horrible to read. I think that I'd rather talk to the Indian call center than deal with you.
YUCK.
21 Dec 2010 05:55:09 PM: I left 2 weeks ago and this was still the case in a lot of stores. obviously you havent seen the iPhone ratio thing. a territory manager left his email open and there was an email about the ratio thing for iPhone 4 customers sent from HO about what I was talking about.
21 Dec 2010 06:00:38 PM: and i myself was NOT bullied. I had great relationships with people and management that I worked with because I was 3-legacy. people who were voda legacy have had a really hard time. it's disgraceful. this in no way was about me it was about the company as a whole, what it has been reduced too and the level of service that the customers are getting and how people are being treated
21 Dec 2010 06:03:52 PM: Yeah what a stooge. Definitely not VHA staff culture.
21 Dec 2010 08:40:42 PM: Studies show the top five reasons why mergers fail were:

Badly planned and/or managed integration.

Focusing on the acquired business to the detriment of the existing business.

Minimising the degree and impact of human issues in the acquired business.

Losing key people in the acquired business.

Loss of productivity due to demotivated employees in the acquired business.

It is inevitable that when a business is acquired, things crawl out of the woodwork that weren%u2019t readily apparent when the business was acquired.

No matter how carefully due diligence was done prior to the acquisition, it is virtually impossible for it to discover everything about the culture, the products and services, the knowledge banks and the many other issues that need to be integrated.

Moreover in many cases the necessity to make an acquisition quickly can make it even more difficult to do detailed implementation plans before the event.

This makes it even more critical to develop and follow an objective implementation plan. But often implementation is seen as something that can be done by personnel from the acquiring company in addition to their normal tasks.

This can lead to implementation being relegated to a secondary task; to personnel from the acquiring company making invalid assumptions, doing insufficient research and making poor decisions based on limited understanding %u2013 which in turn leads to the aforementioned loss of key people, employee demotivation and often loss of customers of the acquired company.

21 Dec 2010 08:58:27 PM: Are you sure you weren't fired, because it sounds like you have a grudge? Also i am guessing you work for Telstra now..... and if you dont i'm sure you would fit right in!
21 Dec 2010 09:54:02 PM: Lol. No, I wasn't fired. I left on very good terms and I was told the door was always open for me if I wanted to come back. I have seen how the customers are lied to. I couldn't lie anymore.
22 Dec 2010 07:51:39 AM: Original poster: I think everyone who isnt on your side are probably managers or PR people trying to diffuse the situation. I completely agree with the connect thing i had the same issue (pre-paid to contract cant keep my number what?) HOWEVER every phone company does this so please people stop hating on the original poster because this is a vent site about how horrible vodafone are both with service and expectation setting. I am on your side original poster!
22 Dec 2010 05:22:48 PM: Thanks bud. Good point about every phone company doing dodgy things to sign people up. Got a mate on the inside who sent me the email. wonder if i should post it???
22 Dec 2010 09:25:13 PM: Upgrading customers get a direct line to order their iPhones, Samsung Galaxy or Desire HD's and are guaranteed a phone. New customers cannot go on a waiting list or oder them online because there is no stock. Upgrading customers also get a $30 credit for waiting. New customers do not get this. Loyal customers are looked after
23 Dec 2010 09:23:46 AM: 22 Dec 2010 11:25:13 PM poster... As i sit here at work i can hear my work colleague on the phone to VodaFail asking to upgrade. Wait time? 3-4 weeks. however if he just walked in to the store and signed a new contract he would get one right away. I would also like to point out that i believe this is the 4th time this week he has called the other 3 times he got disconnected or was on hold for 45 minutes.
23 Dec 2010 09:35:42 AM: You guys take selling phones a little too seriously...
23 Dec 2010 03:36:15 PM: Um...selling phones is a big responsibility (said in the voice of the old chinese guy in Gremlins)
24 Dec 2010 04:14:47 PM: 23 Dec 2010 11:23:46 AM poster: I find it odd how I read how people are spending 45 minutes waiting on a phone to connect to customer service and then when I call on their behalf (on the same number they use) while they are beside me I'm connected in 1 to 5 minutes.
27 Dec 2010 12:01:09 PM: I worked for voda and they suck!!
27 Dec 2010 12:02:51 PM: 3 took over vodafone and bent them over and fucked them straight up the ass, poor vodafone get the fuck out of australia and take hutchinson with you!!

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1368 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is seen the last of me at 21 Dec 2010 04:44:22 PM
I am glad I filed an incident with the TIO 2 weeks before the supposed network issues were meant to be fixed. Even after 8 years of being a customer they still lie about known issues right up until the point of when I cancelled my contract they still acted as if there were no issues.
There are still people I know that are unaware of these issues until I mention it to them and they realise how long their connection and service has been rubbish.
21 Dec 2010 06:19:27 PM: Enabler.
22 Dec 2010 07:56:19 AM: I got the old "we have just had an email through saying there will be interruptions starting from this morning"
I said thats nice i was having issues all of yesterday too and im sorry but i will not take any information from you to be truthful or correct unless it is on the website so dont quote any "emails" unless you can forward them to me thankyou very much...
It shut her right up.

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1364 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is at 21 Dec 2010 04:32:41 PM
My pain has been going on for 10 months!! and now i have to deal with terrible phone reception. My story starts in Feb this year when i took my phone in which i broke, totally my fault i take responsibility for that i had paid for the extra insurance for 2 yrs and it finally came in handy. Paid the excess got the new phone all good, 2 weeks later new phone doesn't work the 7, 8, 9 button stopped working took it back to the shop that supplied it they put it in under a warranty claim a week later go in, get a new phone in the box ready to go. Less then a week later this phone breaks, it is a nokia 6210 navigator so anyone with similar probs please let me know, anyway i head back in to the store i am told i need to produce the papers i would have received, which i informed them i got nothing the last time i showed them the original papers but it was not for that phone was told to wait and a manager would call me regarding that, waited, waited waited, called up about it went into the shop still nothing they had not found the papers ( my opinion they hadn't even looked, every time i went into the store i had to explain my story over and over again to someone new). By this time it was near the end of may and i had got nowhere all i had was a broken phone and still getting bills for a service they where no longer providing. I was going away for 6 weeks on June 10th. I went back into the original store went through the whole thing again and was promised when i got back they would be able to sort it all out for me. returned to Australia, shop is closed down! All records destroyed, back to square one, down to the other vodaphone store that had never dealt with me, once again i explained the story and off we went on another pointless ride or going nowhere, once again someone was to contact me regarding progress, some kind of internal database search need to be conducted with the serial number so they could identify the phone. The original shop had given me the phone without recording that it was sold or given as a replacement, as far as they knew the phone was still in vodaphone hands. Surprise surprise when i went in a few weeks ago to find out what was happening the staff had no idea what was going on, the person i was dealing wiht had left and from their under the breath remarks i took it that the person who had just left was not a very good employee so jumped on the merry go round and began the story again, this time i got an AMAZING girl, she did a search on the spot, reissued me with a proof of purchase receipt took the phone and sent it in, Finally somethng was happening. Today collect the phone, tech report the battery was flat ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGHGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH did he/she not read the report it would turn on every few times then would not turn back on for months, of course the battery is flat i haven't used it for 10months i go the same crappy broken phone back. The helpful girl felt my pain and gave me a number to call and told me what to say. Right now i am waiting to hear back from some supervisor, who was not very happy to help until the words ombudsmen was mentioned and the amount of trouble vodaphone are in at the moment. I have had it with this company before i went overseas i canceled my plan and went onto pre-pay, the customer service and follow up in store is ATROCIOUS, this company had better do something quick smart if they wish to stay in business, by the look of it my problem is one of 1000's that they have to deal with.
21 Dec 2010 04:49:37 PM: BTW here is a number that i got through on pretty much straight away, i was prepared to wait the 45mins but only had to wait less then 5mins before someone answered
1800 676 464 i went to tech services and then option 6, none of the options was what i need and option 6 was for 3g mobiles which was the closest to my problem - good luck everyone
21 Dec 2010 06:43:04 PM: Yeah Vodafone stores are cool like that these days. How come you didn't keep your receipt? It is YOUR responsibility to keep your proof of purchase.
21 Dec 2010 06:46:47 PM: Did the magic number you used ask you to give your dealer code and password?
22 Dec 2010 08:10:38 AM: I was never given a receipt for the last phone that replaced the phone i got on insurance, i have that receipt but the particular store i went to was not run well and went bankrupt. The phone i have has never been recorded that it even left the store. I had to wait 2 months for an internal database search to be done on vodaphone hq computers (that's what i was told) and they have NO RECORD of my phone being sold or even leaving the shop. It is NOT MY responsibility to do vodaphones internal paperwork. All paper work that i have been given i have.
The number required no password when i called, although it is now about 8hours later and still no call back, when i was told to expect a call in 30mins.
22 Dec 2010 09:45:19 PM: I wouldn't expect a call back from that particular number as it is NOT CUSTOMER CARE.
23 Dec 2010 11:52:22 AM: may not be customer care, but i know have a new phone and have only had to be on the line for 10mins
23 Dec 2010 02:42:38 PM: You were lucky in that regards, that number is for Dealer related issues, as such if you call they'll normally ask you for the Dealer Code and password. If you don't have it they won't help you.

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1363 Someone from WA thinks vodafone is worst. fail. ever. at 21 Dec 2010 04:26:38 PM
For so long I had blamed my phones for bad reception, no internet connection, voicemails that disappeared into the infinate nothingness despite friends INSISTING they'd left them... "This damn phone!" I'd yell in frustration! But after three phone changes in the past year - the problem remained.

Vodafone. You sneaky bugger.

Then in the last few weeks the problems became public ... despite the customer service people (bless their hearts) telling me to reset my phone .. we all now know it's the network's problems.

The other week - I had a car accident. Crying on the side of the road - it took numerous tries to call someone to sob on the phone to who could come help me - and it took numerous tries to call work to tell them I couldnt come in (and even when I got through the person on the other end sounded like a robot). Now I'm missing calls from the insurance company, the insurance assessor and the crash repairs. Even when I get through - the call inevitably drops out a couple of times.

Thanks Vodafone. So reliable. To think - the reason I signed with you all those years ago was because Kramer from Seinfeld was doing your ads. (Yes, THAT long ago) Kicking myself on that one.
21 Dec 2010 06:52:14 PM: They were some great ads.
1 Jan 2011 09:01:49 PM: Didnt you have your distress flare with you? Handy to have when you are with Voda

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1361 Someone from VIC thinks vodafone is which Voda network ??? at 21 Dec 2010 04:13:35 PM
One of the most confusing things at the moment with Vodafone is what type of 3g phone customers should be using.

Vodafone and Optus appear to have been promoting mobiles that can access the 2100mhz and 900mhz bands which both Voda and Optus use for 3g while Telstra has been naturally promoting mobiles which access 2100mhz and 850mhz, the latter used for their NextG network.

3 mobile seem to have had a bet each way with at first selling 'mega' 3g mobiles which operated on 2100/850mhz because 3 customers can roam onto Telstra NextG in country areas then since amalgamating with Vodafone moving to selling 2100/900mhz 3g mobiles. One assumes the move to 2100/900mhz mobiles was due to all 3 customers eventually moving to Voda.

However, Vodafone have just started their new 850mhz 3g service in capital cities to complimant their existing 2100mhz network, quite a bit of it active in Melbourne. The problem is, as explained above, most dual band Aust 3g phones are either 2100/900 or 2100/850mhz I think the latest iPhone is an exception being 2100/900/850mhz.

So potentially if you have an unlocked mega '3' phone or Telstra 3g phone with a Vodafone sim in it you will obtain a different network result than a standard Voda 3g phone with Voda sim operating on 2100/900mhz. The former being better in the city where Voda have 2100/850mhz the latter better in voda country areas which use 900mhz.

So what Vodafone should come out and say is what type of 3g mobile phone is best if you want to the best access their 3g networks.

Some of the funny reception problems being reported 'may' in part be due to the above particulary where people have switched their Vodafone sim from a 2100/900mhz mobile to a 2100/850 mobile (say a Nokia E63-1 to a Nokia E63-3)and gained different reception.
21 Dec 2010 06:57:49 PM: Yep but as has happened before and will happen again the phones coming out moving forward appear to be pent/hexband and dual mode to cover all frequency requirements. Each frequency also behaves differently depending on the situation. 900Mhz carries further from towers, 2100Mhz is a better data barer. It's a moment in time. How long was 3G going before you actually got a 3G phone?

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1360 Someone from VIC thinks vodafone is EPIC at 21 Dec 2010 03:26:17 PM
I have been using Vodafone for 8 years now, never really had an issue with customer service - actually every experience I had was great. Yeah, the reception was not always the best but this didn't affect me too much.
So, I open my most recent bill about 2 weeks ago, only to find it is $299.98?!?!! I am on an unlimited cap of $90, and an internate plan of @29.95 - that I do not use as I receive no reception. Rather than paying it out which I have been told several times is my only opton, just pay that amount everymonth. It's not a huge amount, so I don't really think about it. It also has only 3 months to run. My bill, in the 19 month I have been receiving them has never amounted to more than $90 + @29.95. So, I try to call the customer care. 5 attempts in one day, excessive hold times. finally get through to be told that their 'system is down', by a guy name Rasheed - or something dodgy like that. I can hardly understand the guy. I'm not the happiest of people, and I demand that they call ME back, I refuse to sit on hold at all any longer. He said they will within 4 hours. 10min later I receive a text saying they had triend to call me back, but I had not answered. Balls. My phone was next to me at my computer the whole 10mins.
3 more days of scattered attempts to contact them - but to no avail! even went into a local VODAFAIL store, who could also not explan the charges. Then on the 4th day I get through after a 34min wait. Only to be told I have come through to the wrong department. I get placed on hold for another 10mins. Call answered, to be told their system was 'down' again. That's when carcked and called the TIO, lodging a complaint. I try to call 1555 at 11pm that night thinking surely I will get through. Recording told me a minimim of 40min wait. Jam that up your A$$.
Yesterday, I am successful in getting through after an excessive wait AGAIN! (Apologies to my boss for using up work time.)
Apu (or whatever his name is) can't find the issue with my bill. Says there is a MPP charge on there. So I argue with this douchebag in his broken english, and his raised voice at me until finally he cracks and admits that there has been an error inm the bill. NO SHITE MORON. *** this is the good bit *** I demand some form of compensation for my time and all the troubles I have been having getting through to them. GET THIS - He says as a goodwill gesture, HE WILL CREDIT BACK THE CHARGES TO MY ACCOUNT!!! BUDDY, THAT IS NOT GOODWILL, THEY SHOULD HAVE NOT BVEEN THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE!! So I request to be put through to the complaints department. On hold for 10 more minutes. "Hello, this is another Indian call centre worker - but I am the manager, you can complain to me". After then detailing all the troubled AGAIN, I get nowhere. I also bring up the issue of paying for a service I don't receive with my internet. I ask for compensation for their lack of service and appaling customer service. I get nowhere. I ask to be put through to their complaints department again. This resulted in a heated argument about VODAFINE DOESN'T HAVE A COMPAINTS DEPARTMENT?!?!?! I give up, I advise I have already complained to the TIO. I then have an offer for a $29.95 credit for this months bill only. I ask for my contract to be cancelled of no charge - there are only 3 months left. I get nothing but a mouthful of crap from ths other Apu dude. I hang up.

I have now lodged a second complaint through the TIO.

Let's see what happens...

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN TIGHT-ASS COMPANIES MOVE THEIR CALL CENTRES OFF SHORE.
SHAME SHAME SHAME.
21 Dec 2010 03:36:14 PM: isn't it us who are the tight asses?? these companies are cheap BECAUSE they move their call centres off shore, if we expect better service, maybe we should pay to shift to telstra!!!
21 Dec 2010 03:48:20 PM: I feel your pain!I have forgotten how many times I was told by Apu that their systems were down and they could not help me after a 40 minute wait to speak to said Apu if I was lucky. The worst is that Australian woman greeting cheerfully telling you that she has checked with the department and they are busy helping other customers and I will not be put through but I can leave a message... if do not leave a message she just repeats herself to infinity. I am so grateful to no longer be a vodafucked customer..my stress levels are down and I feel like life is back to ordinary annoyance instead of every day infuriation and powerlesness in the face of a giant, unreponsive rip off scam that doesn't even answer their fucking phones and lies, lies, lies blaming you, your phone, your area and every other thing except the one thing they know is true. Their systems are totally fucked and they are fraudulently taking your hard earned money.
21 Dec 2010 03:56:18 PM: Telstra don't have good service. They have good coverage, but not good service.
21 Dec 2010 07:13:08 PM: Telstra coverage is just in places where it's not economically viable for the other telcos to build infrastructure due to half government ownership and legacy requirements to have that essential service thing (home phones) and to keep the farmers happy so that it doesn't become a political issue.
21 Dec 2010 09:31:36 PM: how racist...
22 Dec 2010 07:12:05 AM: I am racist. Especially when for 8 years I have been happily dealing with, and easily able to contact someone who not only understands me, but I can converse with easily. Not to mention is polite and offering great customer service. So, what's your point?
22 Dec 2010 08:14:42 AM: By the way it should be noted i am an ex-virgin customer, their call centre is in Mumbai, and they were fine to speak with and get a hold of and the like. So yes they go because it is cheap it does not mean they also have to have the shittest employees. It is possible to have good customer service ad decent american accents in India. Please Vodafail find some of THESE people. They are MUCH easier to speak to.

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1359 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is Rubbish at 21 Dec 2010 03:17:58 PM
Why would Vodafone release Infinity plans when they know there is something wrong with their network - they should be sued for negligence!
21 Dec 2010 03:50:17 PM: Its not negligence....it is a scam pure and simple..
21 Dec 2010 07:28:46 PM: No scam mate. Try it with a month to month. PAY for your handset up front and no contract dramas. If it doesn't fulfil it's charter you can choose another network! Cool huh?
22 Dec 2010 08:56:08 PM: its called $500 million into improving their network, last time i checked that was not negligence?

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1358 Someone from VIC thinks vodafone is The worst network at 21 Dec 2010 03:15:20 PM
Every time I travel to Indonesia I call Vodafone to ensure my phone will work and they tell me it will, but every time I arrive the phone won't work. The phone works in Singapore and Thailand but not Indonesia. I tell Vodafone this every time and there solution: "If your phone isn't working, call us and we will try to resolve it." Yes Vodafone, I shall call you on a phone that doesn't work. 5 months of VodaHell to go...
21 Dec 2010 03:52:59 PM: Indonesia? Mate I can't get reception in CBD Sydney! If I got vodafail reception in Indonesia I would be astonished!
21 Dec 2010 07:30:18 PM: It could be the indonesian end. So many variables...
22 Dec 2010 05:39:40 PM: @above: Possibly, but no other network has the issue. Plus, I get better coverage in rural Thailand when roaming that I get in Melbourne CBD.

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1356 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is Commercial Suicide at 21 Dec 2010 02:47:08 PM
Well thanks to a written complaint to the TIO, I was contacted by a nice young lady from Vodafone (actually from Australia and not the Indian sub continent) who advised me of my options in relation to the known service issues (but never known to me until I read it in the SMH). So I have been given a six week time frame for the service to be upgraded and given two months free access to the network, and I've also been advised to do a 'SIM Swap' as soon as possible. Well I'll give them the grace of waiting for the six weeks, and if there is no improvement, I'm moving carriers.
21 Dec 2010 02:58:27 PM: off ya go then
21 Dec 2010 09:59:15 PM: oh geez, some die hard vodafail lovers here
21 Dec 2010 10:41:47 PM: And if Godot doesn't come, the cheque is in the mail?
24 Dec 2010 09:19:15 PM: Didn't say I was a fan, just want some freebies from them before I go...also just pointing out that if you lodge a complaint with the TIO you will actually get some satisfaction of an Australian Vodafail representative calling you to address your complaint rather than endlessly waiting to speak with someone without a clue from the Indian sub continent.

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1355 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is making me sad! at 21 Dec 2010 02:27:43 PM
After months of bad reception, dropped calls, slow data, delayed SMS & MMS messages I rang Vodafone with one question..."How much to get out of my contract?" After only 10 minutes on hold (I thought that was pretty good), the customer service person who took the call couldn't provide me with an answer (this took another 10 minutes to deduce). She said someone would call me back and quess what...they did! However, this person couldn't answer my question either. They were Tech support. They blamed my phone, my sim, my area (Sydney CBD???) and then said someone would call me back in 72 hours. I insisted that I just wanted to know how much to get out of my contract. Finally they agreed to put me through to someone who might be able to answer my question...another 10 minutes on hold...someone answered...and the call dropped out! This was last Friday and no-one has called me back.
I have been with Vodafone for 10 years and I am sad to be leaving them but enough is enough.
21 Dec 2010 02:58:57 PM: see ya later.have fun getting ripped off
21 Dec 2010 10:00:45 PM: omg, 'have fun getting ripped off'. obviously someone who works for the company and doesn't care about the customer. you can see what sort of people work for vodafone
23 Dec 2010 06:43:51 AM: Another long time customer of Vodafone (10 years). Sad to leave, but having instant Voice Mail messages (not days late) is just far too important for my line of use.

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1347 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is at 21 Dec 2010 01:22:14 PM
with all due respect to all people out there upset with the vodafone network just remember that when you go to talk to the team in the stores its not ther fault and try use a bit of respect when you communicate with them, i was in a store the other day and ther was a lady blasting the team over the reception issue when CLEARLY its not there fault....technology will never be 100% and in 6months everyone will be singing a different tune about some other band wagon everyone can jump on the have the "Internet stab"...but hey its easier to complain like 3year olds....basic decency ad courtesy will get you much further then blasting employees that are limited in the job....
21 Dec 2010 01:24:11 PM: also, if you choose a phone with known reception issues, i.e. the iphone, don't complain when these knowm imperfections come to light.
21 Dec 2010 01:26:30 PM: That is true, it really isnt the stores fault, they dont make the network (reception) they just sell the handsets that fail to pick it up. I was speaking to a young lady at a cit store and she was saying they dont get told the issues until 3 or more customers complain, she was very nice with the whole thing but to be honest they seem to be on the same page as we all are.

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1346 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is Mega Fail at 21 Dec 2010 01:17:09 PM
The other night my Vodafone service stopped working for 15 hours. 15 hours! I couldn't make a call, receive a call, send a text, receive a text, use the internet... I kept thinking, "What if there's some sort of emergency?" This, of course, on top of all the other dropped calls, delayed voicemails, horrible 3G reception which means I can't access the internet. So frustrating and has been going on for weeks with no end in sight.

21 Dec 2010 01:20:32 PM: Turn your phone off and then on again.

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1345 Someone from QLD thinks vodafone is no sense at 21 Dec 2010 12:52:02 PM
If you want the best reception in the nation go to telstra but get ready to pay an arse load for it and get the same customer experience as any other telco.
21 Dec 2010 04:01:26 PM: I switched to Telstra and yes I pay more but the relief from having to deal with vodafail is worth the extra money just for the peace of mind...

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1341 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is not at all at 21 Dec 2010 12:41:44 PM
All telecom companies have signal problems. This may vary depends on how kind of user you are, waht kind of services you demand, what phone you have, what area you live and so on...

Vodafone has had some issues recently? Yes, they had. But what make a company good is not just when things are going great, but when their customers have problems and how the company deals with it. I can assure you Vodafone is strong enough to turn this page and make everyone happier than ever and YES they are making a lot of effort to deliver a extreme cutting edge new network.

We are just talking about 1% of the total customers. It still means that I am among the rest of 7 millions happy customers and nobody will build a website to talk about how good Vodafone is...

Come on guys, give them a chance! You won't regret to be part of this great company!


Cheers,
A happy customer

21 Dec 2010 01:23:16 PM: I guess everyone I speak to is part of this 1 percent and I have yet to meet anyone who is in the 99 percent. I don't think there would be a website talking about how great Vodafone is (except their actual website) considering I made this site while I was waiting on hold. I don't know anyone who waits on hold for 3 hours, hangs up and then think 'what a wonderful experience that was, I should make a website'.
21 Dec 2010 01:30:50 PM: No I won't do a website when I called them and had my problem sorted out in 3 minutes...

It's way much easier to complaint, you can get much more attention...
21 Dec 2010 05:00:15 PM: Nigel is that you?
21 Dec 2010 06:17:43 PM: Were you in the store and calling out to one of the staff? THAT might work.
22 Dec 2010 08:29:10 AM: Id just like to say the creator of this website is genius!And i'm sorry but how did people who LOVE vodafail come across this website?
If not told to post her by PR.... hmmmmm...
22 Dec 2010 10:05:05 AM: Can I suggest that the original poster goes and starts a website called vodawin.com and see how many people post on it...
22 Dec 2010 05:40:04 PM: make vodawin.com yourself you voda-hugging-hippie!
27 Dec 2010 10:57:13 AM: I have been a very happy Vodafone customer since 1995.
27 Dec 2010 06:05:25 PM: "I have been a very happy Vodafone customer since 1995"....What should have been added is.....But dont use these modern mystical talking devices, I prefer written letters using my duck feather quill. I'll be off to sow my field then.

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1339 Someone from QLD thinks vodafone is is such a nigel- no wonder at 21 Dec 2010 12:41:40 PM
Hey Nigel. You obvioously have no idea about your business expect for the income & expenditure, do you??? you stupid obnoxious patronising xyz. Why dont you come around here and we'll call your 1555 together. I have an incident for you below that represents the Vodafone Mission and Culture.

Vodafone used to be the sole carrier in a couple of small countries near Australia until recently. The rates were sky high and customer and network issues ramapant. According to one 'Business', dealing with vodafone was like dealing with a mafia corner loan shark.

Until a new telco enterred the market. Since then, Vodafone has been begging customers to join them by offering them free mobile hand sets and special calls (compared to berating customers and giving no incentives. A business of 150 handsets was told to pay 'premium' price for 148 handsets and you get TWO handsets free, but call rates were going to be higher). It turned out the handsets models being given out are those with known technical issues. Long story short the new telco is still kicking Vodafone's ass like no tomorrow.

You were saying something Nigel??????
21 Dec 2010 12:52:21 PM: hows ya mum.....

Love Nigel

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1335 Someone from TAS thinks vodafone is at 21 Dec 2010 12:30:54 PM
I bet most people on here have iphones.....

Worst phone reception on any network!
21 Dec 2010 12:37:33 PM: Nokia actually
21 Dec 2010 12:38:52 PM: no one really cares about tasmania anyways.we forget that your down there
21 Dec 2010 12:40:18 PM: Yeah Nokias aren't famous for their reliability either. They are famous for how they have most of the market hypnotised into thinking their phones are awesome. The matrix has you.

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1333 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is 10/10 FAIL at 21 Dec 2010 12:07:00 PM
No reception at work or home and drops out 8 times on bus trip home - yes I counted it on my bill.

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1332 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is Big Fail at 21 Dec 2010 12:04:16 PM
They tried to tell me that I now live in a 'low service' area. I haven't moved house for over 3 years. Until 3 months ago I had full reception now I'm lucky if I get one bar of reception.
This now means that at home no one can call me as the call will drop out. Messages are delayed. I have an awesome phone that I barely use.
Also located near to my house is a rather large and newly developed shopping centre which has not 1 BUT 2 Vodafone stores. I get no reception in the shopping centre.
FAIL!
21 Dec 2010 12:09:56 PM: Check your dodgy old handset
21 Dec 2010 12:15:52 PM: My dodgy old hand set is actually brand new - so is my sim card. Try again buddy.
21 Dec 2010 12:40:28 PM: phone works when its not inside ur butt
21 Dec 2010 12:46:31 PM: Obviously you're confused - phones are for phone calls, texting and the likes. Not for fancying your tickle by sticking it up your butt. Though if that does work for you, then by all means, keep at it darl.
21 Dec 2010 12:51:06 PM: is that what you do.sorry that you cant get it out of there or ur head for that matter.not my fault u live in a hole
21 Dec 2010 01:00:25 PM: *feigns insult*

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1330 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is Nigel Dew, Your Sacking Is Over-Dew at 21 Dec 2010 11:42:36 AM
21 Dec 2010 12:11:11 PM: You can choose an alternative contact number to be called on.
22 Dec 2010 05:20:08 PM: they still dont ring back. Same issue.. 3 hours waiting on hold speaking to various people over last two days.. they keep saying they'll call back.. the phone will ring once and then hang up.. so to them.. they are calling back.. and we're not answering.. pfftt.. load of crap.. ive already complained to the telecommunications ombudsman
22 Dec 2010 09:08:34 PM: go into a store and get them to call sales support for you. after the troubloeshooting is done you are free to leave the network if you are not satisfied with the service
23 Dec 2010 07:01:21 AM: How much time do you think people have to wait on hold for 3 hours, be told they'll be called back and either not have reception when they are, or be expected to hold the conversation when it suits call centre staff. Let alone go into a store around christmas time and use their phone and still wait on hold while listening to both Lara and Xmas music - Hellz Bellz No!
23 Dec 2010 07:03:29 AM: I agree - its not asif nigel or vodafail have txt'd us, or e-mailed us - it was one shitty appology on the website that, by now nobody goes and checks. vodafone pick up the shit and make good. you think you have fixed the problem but you havent, not even close - 1 or no bars at your vodafone retail store in bondi junction is a joke - wait for the class action of people who have had accidents or crashes and not been able to call for help.
23 Dec 2010 11:43:21 PM: Well maybee if ppl had enough brains to ring the right number they would not be on hold for so long come on grow up take responsibiliy
26 Dec 2010 10:47:14 PM: We ring the number that is advertised in hopes of being able to solve our problems without troubling anyone in the store. I think that is what reasonable responsible people do. If Vodafone isn't advertising the correct number then what are we supposed to do? Ring random numbers in hopes of finding the illusive super fast Vodafone customer support?
27 Dec 2010 09:41:14 AM: yes, I have to call every other day as they keep locking it out when my password is supposedly wrong and also my secret message is wrong, my mothers maiden name???????. This is a privacy issue as they cant even protect my password.
27 Dec 2010 12:59:13 PM: "24 Dec 2010 01:43:21 AM: Well maybee if ppl had enough brains to ring the right number they would not be on hold for so long come on grow up take responsibiliy" - CANT SPELL MR VODAHO TROLL?? Is THIS the kind of service and support you provide?? BLAMING CUSTOMERS FOR YOUR CRAPPY NETWORK ISSUES?
27 Dec 2010 02:25:37 PM: Quote - "24 Dec 2010 01:43:21 AM: Well maybee if ppl had enough brains to ring the right number they would not be on hold for so long come on grow up take responsibiliy '

And what is that number exactly tosser? Stop talking crap. If Vodafone didn't divert calls to bloody India or other third world coutries and actually invested the millions of $ in profit in creating jobs for Australians and keep Australian customers happy then they wouldn't have as many pissed off customers.

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1329 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is at 21 Dec 2010 11:28:43 AM
21 Dec 2010 12:04:13 PM: My partner has sent numerous emails to vodafone - the response is always we're looking into it and someone will contact you. That started back in October no ones contacted him with a resolution.
In the past 2 days he has spent over 3 hours on hold to Vodafone to try and get out of his contract as he has a phone he can not use, he pays for a service you are not providing. Where is he in regards to this? Exactly where he was when it all started with a brand new phone he can't use due to no reception.
21 Dec 2010 12:12:36 PM: Is the handset faulty? Have you contacted the manufacturer
21 Dec 2010 12:18:03 PM: The handset is not faulty. Vodafone is faulty.
We're not stupid enough to try all other options before hand. He used to work for Vodafone we know the dril. It's a new phone, new sim card. Accept the problem is Vodafone and people may be more willing to give you a second chance for speaking the truth.
21 Dec 2010 04:08:19 PM: Thanks Nigel but you didn't need to use all those words, all you had to say was: Our systems are fucked, our call centre is fucked, reception and internet is fucked but we are trying to unfuck it but in the meantime eat shit...that about sums it up.
21 Dec 2010 08:43:59 PM: Just a few comments regarding the apology:

"recent intermittent network issues"

These issues have been reported for a very long time and are not intermittent.

"various blogs"

Oh..........that would be www.vodafail.com and other various blogs..........

"it%u2019s clear we could have done a better job at keeping you across what%u2019s been happening."

Better words to have used than "could" is "should" and "across" should be "informed".

"We have been working with customers on a case by case basis to understand individual situations, resolve the issues and see what we can do to put things right, but I appreciate that there may be some of you who are still unhappy."

May be some of us who are still unhappy????? By the way, most of us cannot speak to a consultant on 1555 as the average wait is 45 minutes day and night!!!

"As you may know, we are experiencing some busy times at present into Vodafone Care (our call centre), so thank you for your patience"

Really???? Most of us never knew that!!! I wonder why that is???(see above)

"You can also choose to have a call back if you prefer not to hold."

Tried it..........does not work!!!!

"We%u2019ll also keep you across any other network plans that will improve your service"

It's that word "across" again!!!! Try "informed" next time..........there will be a next time.....right???

Finally my bit, Nigel what you have written appears to have been produced on the back of a fag packet in-between holes on the golf course and really without much thought to the content.

It falls far too short of what should be expected from the CEO of Vodafone.

Your lack lustre telecommunications business appears to be in great disarray, but at last perhaps, just maybe, you are beginning to listen and learn from the most important people in your business, us.......the customers.

Check out the comments on www.vodafail.com and your own various blogs.
27 Dec 2010 10:04:04 PM: Nigel,My fone didnt work for 2 months, I didnt get sms messages, my clients got the impression my fone was disconnected, I lost about $50 000 last year and your manager for portability refused to release me from my contract!!! Could you look into it? ($50 000 is about 2 years rent for me and my family just to try and put things in perspective). Merri knows my situation, ask her.
27 Dec 2010 11:50:47 PM: The blokes name is Nigel... 'nuff said!!
7 Jan 2011 12:14:09 PM: "Nigel No Clue"

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1326 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is Failocalypse at 21 Dec 2010 11:16:20 AM
Been with Vodafone since 2006 and all was peachy up 'til 3 months ago.

Now, 3GS internet reception thingo on my iPhone 3GS drops out regularly (3/5 attempts) as I go to browse the web, despite having full reception (for both telephone and internet) seconds before.

Also, it will show I have 3GS but pages will not load or will load at glacial pace. They charge me for this, of course.

I'm trying to get out of my contract with them. I'm paying for a service they're not delivering and whenever I ring their 1300 number I A) have to hold for long (+20min) blocks and then B) get the complete runaround from some nonce who doesn't listen to what I'm telling them, regarding having the 3GS drop out RANDOMLY. Of course it shows up on your phone reception map that there's perfect reception in those areas - it says it on my phone, too right up to the point I go to try and use the Internet!!

This is on top of lately getting SMS messages hours/days late, dropping out of phone reception randomly (needing to be reset - although that could be an iphone fault).

I can't wait to ditch this iphone and this dud of a telco!
21 Dec 2010 01:06:02 PM: spam
21 Dec 2010 03:10:05 PM: I had the exact same problems on an iPhone with Vfone....finally had to go through the TIO to get out of my contract....now with Telstra on iPhone and not one single drop out or issue with browsing speed!

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1325 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is Failocalypse at 21 Dec 2010 11:16:05 AM
Been with Vodafone since 2006 and all was peachy up 'til 3 months ago.

Now, 3GS internet reception thingo on my iPhone 3GS drops out regularly (3/5 attempts) as I go to browse the web, despite having full reception (for both telephone and internet) seconds before.

Also, it will show I have 3GS but pages will not load or will load at glacial pace. They charge me for this, of course.

I'm trying to get out of my contract with them. I'm paying for a service they're not delivering and whenever I ring their 1300 number I A) have to hold for long (+20min) blocks and then B) get the complete runaround from some nonce who doesn't listen to what I'm telling them, regarding having the 3GS drop out RANDOMLY. Of course it shows up on your phone reception map that there's perfect reception in those areas - it says it on my phone, too right up to the point I go to try and use the Internet!!

This is on top of lately getting SMS messages hours/days late, dropping out of phone reception randomly (needing to be reset - although that could be an iphone fault).

I can't wait to ditch this iphone and this dud of a telco!
21 Dec 2010 02:52:34 PM: I don't care. I want the one with the biggest GBs

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1324 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is Failocalypse at 21 Dec 2010 11:15:42 AM
Been with Vodafone since 2006 and all was peachy up 'til 3 months ago.

Now, 3GS internet reception thingo on my iPhone 3GS drops out regularly (3/5 attempts) as I go to browse the web, despite having full reception (for both telephone and internet) seconds before.

Also, it will show I have 3GS but pages will not load or will load at glacial pace. They charge me for this, of course.

I'm trying to get out of my contract with them. I'm paying for a service they're not delivering and whenever I ring their 1300 number I A) have to hold for long (+20min) blocks and then B) get the complete runaround from some nonce who doesn't listen to what I'm telling them, regarding having the 3GS drop out RANDOMLY. Of course it shows up on your phone reception map that there's perfect reception in those areas - it says it on my phone, too right up to the point I go to try and use the Internet!!

This is on top of lately getting SMS messages hours/days late, dropping out of phone reception randomly (needing to be reset - although that could be an iphone fault).

I can't wait to ditch this iphone and this dud of a telco!

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1323 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is Big Fail at 21 Dec 2010 11:15:39 AM
They tried to tell me that I now live in a 'low service' area. I haven't moved house for over 3 years. Until 3 months ago I had full reception now I'm lucky if I get one bar of reception.
This now means that at home no one can call me as the call will drop out. Messages are delayed. I have an awesome phone that I barely use.
Also located near to my house is a rather large and newly developed shopping centre which has not 1 BUT 2 Vodafone stores. I get no reception in the shopping centre.
FAIL!

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1321 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is epic at 21 Dec 2010 10:55:32 AM
bought a phone that is supposed to browse the web, but i never can as coverage always drops

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1319 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is more like NODAFONE at 21 Dec 2010 10:52:33 AM
i have had a business account with Nodafone for over 10 years for my plumbing company. We have had network, service, reception, voicemail and data issues for the last few months and they are just getting worse.
We have different handsets, new/old sims so i know that they are not the problem.
I now have other friends and family who are complaining of the same issues so i knew it wasnt just me.
Now i have seen this and know for sure that they are lying to us.
I have phoned them and complained but just get told that they will put a service request in. Yeah Great!!
We need to be compensated by Vodafone. They cannot expect us to pay the same amount for the last few months when they knew of the problem!!!
21 Dec 2010 01:25:10 PM: I can understand your frustration if you would consider Optus as a carrier we could look at a way to get you out of your contract early. Optus has made significant Network investment over the last 2 years, giving customers increasing Network coverage with each passing day. No network is ever going to be perfect, but the commitment Optus has made to improving their infrastructure, with billions of dollars invested over the last 5 year means that they are constantly working to improve what they have and that customers are getting the best experience possible. If you would like to test the network we do have demo services please call and speak to Nathaniel on 1300 22 88 35 and he can possibly organise one for you to try before you commit
21 Dec 2010 02:20:26 PM: lol Optus trying to make a quick buck, brilliant. How's that court case against Vodafone going Optus? Not well from what I hear, too much "pot calling kettle black".
21 Dec 2010 04:06:50 PM: Hey Nathaniel can you drop six of them demo phones to me at Bankstown station, iPhone 4's please.

Ahmad & the boys.

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1318 Someone from VIC thinks vodafone is Horrible at 21 Dec 2010 10:49:49 AM
When they initally did a coverage check, they said I had full coverage.

Now most of the time no signal or 1 bar/4, lucky if I had 2 bars. MBB is a hit and miss, mostly miss in my house.

Vodafone has most likely breached their contract to supply the serve and in breach of TPA and FTA. Maybe we should start a class action (I'm s solicitor myself)
21 Dec 2010 01:02:33 PM: still studying at uni are you?? doesnt count for being a solicitor....false advertising people.

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1316 Someone from VIC thinks vodafone is awesome at 21 Dec 2010 10:18:39 AM
drop calls?
poor reception?
poor battery life?

SOUNDS LIKE U NEED A NEW PHONE

idiots

drop
21 Dec 2010 12:32:59 PM: Or somethin rather than an iphone!
21 Dec 2010 12:35:18 PM: What about those of us who have tried all that and are still having the same problems? Minus the poor battery life of course - that is obviously a phone issue not a provider issue.
21 Dec 2010 10:20:14 PM: not necessarily- batteries drain quickly if the phone is struggling to maintain a signal, particularly if it's jumping from 3G to 2G to 3G. I/ve been lying on the (not-moving) sofa, in my (not-moving) house in my (not-moving) suburb, and watched my homescreen. I watched my connection 2G/3G jump, and 3 different towers named as the connecting one, one of them several ks away.I live really close to the CBD
22 Dec 2010 07:01:08 PM: Actually, if you are laying down on your sofa in your house in your suburb on the planet earth, you are moving at a velocity of 29.8km/h around the Sun. Along with the rest of us.
6 Jan 2011 02:21:25 AM: not moving - as in relative to the Vodafone towers.
Hey- you know- may-be-there is-only one Vodafone tower in my capital city and it was moving from suburb to suburb to suburb, staying just long enough to rack up a connection fee. "The truth is out there".

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1311 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is at 21 Dec 2010 09:27:59 AM
Once upon a time I had 3 workmates who dropped Optus went to Vodafone and got fantastic access speeds. I bought a Vodafone modem and 12 months prepaid plan, and now we all find we get constant dropouts, rarely do we get 3G access any longer, it drops back to slower speed access. On a good day I get 2 bars! often I get only 1 bar.

My phone, my wife's phone, my sons and daughters phones, all with Vodafone - not for long - as soon as I can get time to find another provider anyone - even evil expensive Telstra you won't see me for dust ...BUT ... how unfair to get pooor reception slow Text messages and dropouts on 4 phones (as well my data modem issues) and what recourse do I have with Vodafone??

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1305 Someone from VIC thinks vodafone is Utterly Useless at 21 Dec 2010 08:56:17 AM
When I signed up a few years ago I was told that VodaFone was expanding its network and that by the end of August they would have coverage as good as Telstra's. Given that I live in the inner burbs and was well within the full coverage area on the map I figured I would get coverage. No such luck.
VodaFone then tried to blame my handset and my house and then me, but eventually admitted that some areas in the coverage area do not have coverage.

Unfortunately, that is not sufficient reason to break a 24 month contract. While we have a contract with VodaFone to keep paying their bills they apparently have no contract with us to provide any kind of service for that money, and if we had read the fine print we should know that.

By going through the TIO I was able to break the contract, but it was a very long and painful process. I don't know if it's true, but someone told me that they get fined every time there is a TIO complaint against them, so I'd recommend that everyone puts in a complaint against them. It's also a golden ticket to speak to the Australian call center, which really helps.
21 Dec 2010 08:44:54 PM: I think the story, from the industry funded TIO, is that they charge the Telco, IF they escalate the complaint to level 2. But where does the telco get its money? Or more to the point, where does it cut costs so the shareholders don't suffer? Would it be by employing people barely intelligible to people outside their culture, in cultures with little or no social security, so that the people will do anything to hold their jobs?
21 Dec 2010 08:49:05 PM: And all they have to do is stuff around, and drop calls, and then the telco claims we didn't try hard enough to resolve the problem.And now, if you fail to pay for a phone or service that doesn;t work, you will get a bad credit rating.

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1302 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is Worst I have ever used at 21 Dec 2010 08:49:31 AM
I was gonna order Vodafone on a 12 month plan with HTC Desire HD on their NRMA 3 months free offer. Before that i had Vodafone on month to month plan. I called up their call center(wait of 40 mins so I chose the callback option though the CS didnt sound like doing customer service) told me that the offer is not valid now. I asked them to check their website and they did and came back yeah its valid. Then they said you have to talk to Sales team(I had told them I am a Vodafone customer already) but still they did and I waited for 30 mins and then hung up. After some time I called up again this time I was told this offer is not for 12 months(again I said check the website) they didnt agree(and were rude). I called NRMA and they confirmed that the offer is valid and they connected me directly to a local Vodafone respresentative and he said since I am on Vodafone on a month to month I can get a new contract and move my current number to prepaid and then move back in to the new contract. And yes the NRMA offer was valid for 12 month contracts too. I signed up the contract and got a virgin prepaid and moved my old voda to Virgin and then after a couple of days called Vodafone to move my number(which was on virgin) back to my new contract and I was told Vodafone can only do it at the time of signing up. huh that was enough for me to take. After going all through I was back again explaining the CS at Vodafail of what I was told by one of their friends. And finally they recognized it and said "we will do it as exception" bullshit.

Now the experience of using the new phone. I see the network going off atleast couple of days in a week and in Sydney CBD too. I have never seen the 3G or HSPDA showing on my HTC .. Never!! All this Saturday( afternoon) there was no data network in North Paramatta(I was trying to check Ashes scores). Also under the account I checked out of 2 Gig data a big chunk is GPRS. I hope it doesnt mean that I have to finish that first before I start getting 3G/HSPDA which I never even if I sit 24 hours on my phone and open websites. What a waste of money this contract is I wish I could get out of it.

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1301 Someone from VIC thinks vodafone is a PITA at 21 Dec 2010 08:32:28 AM
iPhone users, if your data speed is f#$ked, try disabling 3G:
Settings --> General --> Network --> turn off "Enable 3G"
In theory, it's much slower. In practice, thanks to the Vodafone network, it is often faster and more reliable...

Am sure the same probably applies to many other brands of phone, too...
8 Jan 2011 04:45:10 AM: Even better still, remove sim and insert telstra sim
8 Jan 2011 02:53:58 PM: Even better again: Don't use a piece of sh^t iPhone....

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1299 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is at 21 Dec 2010 08:28:50 AM
Is anyone else having reception issues on the Sydney Lower North Shore (Mosman/Cremorne area)? I have had no reception since last night (20 Dec 2010)...

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1296 Someone from VIC thinks vodafone is Useless. at 21 Dec 2010 08:06:50 AM
I used to have vodafone mobile broadband. The coverage was shit so I cancelled my contract and sent back the USB modem. This was 3 or more months ago. I noticed in my emails that they are still billing me.. So I called them. After being on hold for AGES they transferred me to a different department, then told me I had been transferred to the wrong department. I gave up trying and just hung up. I called back the next day and again, they transferred me to several wrong departments. To this day they continue to bill me. I'm not even going to bother trying again. Their customer service is just bullshit. If they can't tell that me not using any data mean I DO NOT HAVE THE INTERNET ANYMORE then they are morons.

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1295 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is Absolute Rubbish at 21 Dec 2010 07:52:13 AM
no reception to make or receive calls, no reception to send messages. Dont forget the occasional "sim not allowed" message.
I would have thought some part of the contract signed with vodafone said they had to actually provide a service for the money they charge........
6 Jan 2011 01:37:44 AM: I thought they were a charity with a CEO and shareholders.

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1294 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is All fail at 21 Dec 2010 07:44:11 AM
Months of horrendous reception and slow networks speeds, dropped calls, unreceived messages (6 in the last 4 days) and useless service.

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1293 Someone from VIC thinks vodafone is terrible at 21 Dec 2010 07:42:16 AM
Was with 3 for a number of years and happily recommended them to my friends. Had no issues untill they 'teamed up' with Vodafone. Since then I have struggled to get reception in Ferntree Gully, Caulfield, and King Street Melbourne. I have now apologised to my friends who signed on. Avoid at all costs.
21 Dec 2010 03:07:33 PM: You do realise that nothing changed with the 3 network when they merged... So laying your problems at Vodafones feet is kinda stupid.

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1291 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is hopeless at 21 Dec 2010 07:28:43 AM
Was with Vodafone for 5 years but the service performance was getting worse and worse that me and my partner had to leave the network. When I called the customer service line to ask when my contract would be up, they asked why I was thinking of leaving Vodafone, I answered as honestly as I could "Your network is so unreliable I can't make/receive calls and sms..." the rep just answered "oh... okay... is there anything else I can do for you today?" FAIL VODAFONE... FAIL!

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1290 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is extreme at 21 Dec 2010 06:52:15 AM
just signed up to business infinite plan one week ago, no coverage in Avalon or in Darlinghurst at St Vincent's Hospital. Just shows No Service approx 30% of time. Do not sign up!

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1286 Someone from VIC thinks vodafone is Bad in hospital area at 21 Dec 2010 06:27:10 AM
No-one mentions the link with Mobile 3 (my 'official' telco). I couldn't make any calls from the Women's Hospital/Melbourne University area in Carlton on a Sunday morning (19 December). In this area Sunday morning is quiet (no students and after the exams) so phoning should not be a problem. At the same time my brother was getting good wireless reception through another carrier (I called using his wireless and Skype) An hour later and two kilometres away I could finally make calls. 3 users have been suggesting service quality would go down with the merger with Vodafone. Well, they are right!
21 Dec 2010 03:08:43 PM: As above, the networks are still seperate. Blaming Voda for 3's network failings is again a misguided thought.
21 Dec 2010 06:18:31 PM: yes..the networks are separate, but they have only been concentrating (hardly succeeding) getting voda brand up to # 1. There is hardly any improvments being made on the 3 side as the push is to make sure VODA does not fail.

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1272 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is Not. at 20 Dec 2010 10:59:34 PM
I don't understand how some of you are complaining about the network when it obviously isn't affecting everyone. I'm currently using my vodafone to write this comment.this page loaded in three seconds. And I have had no call drop outs. Except for when I'm in a tunnel which is understandable. I think a lot of the problem is the user and not optimizing their phone.
21 Dec 2010 01:01:31 PM: Yeah the technology has progressed way faster than the users ability to cope with it.
27 Dec 2010 12:22:06 PM: I work in online teaching technology such as IP video conferencing. I co-wrote the plan for the Aarnet National Video conferencing service and its associated quality assurance. I have installed transmission equipment for microwave and satellite. I know more about the related technology that most users on this page all put together.. MY PHONE SERVICE IS CRAP, I dont need LOSERS like you telling me that its MY FAULT.. TYPICAL VODAHO BS, go away you STUPID IGNORANT VODAHO TROLLS. If I did MY job as badly as Vodacrap does, I WOULD BE FIRED.
27 Dec 2010 12:24:17 PM: The ACCC has said that Vodafones service is CRAP and NOT UP TO STANDARD. Do THEY not know how to "optimise" their phone too?? Would you like to suggest HOW I "OPTIMISE" my Nokia phone TO PICK UP SIGNAL INSIDE A BUILDING AT WORK?

TOOLS

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1271 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is Front Line Troops at 20 Dec 2010 10:54:13 PM
Hey everyone, I actually work in a Vodafone store, first up just wanna say yea somethings going on but just wanna point out and maybe ask a few things of you guys! I'm not here to rain on your parade and yea defiantly have noticed a increase of customers coming in with problems, about 1 in 10 customers.

First up we really can't do much for you in store, were not allowed to advise formal tech support, and we can't cancel contracts or waive any fees' or usage charges, all we could do is call the cust care number and hand the phone to you, it's just the way it works.
The only other things we can do from our store is send a phone away under a warranty or do a Sim swap, that's not to say that's all you can do, it's just all we can do, everything else goes through customer care.

I have seen in our Vodafone store many many incidents of customers upset and with good reason, but taking it out on staff I have sent 3 staff home early last week and two the week before in tears, I even had to call security at one point. Please go easy on staff guys, and maybe unless you wanna do anything in regards to this besides a Sim swap or sending your phone away, you'll truly be wasting time coming in, it's really all we can do.

Don't quote me on it, but if you ask me I think the problem may be the amount of iPhone's running on the network, AT&T had massive problems with reports of as little as 10% of Iphone users chewing 90% capacity, Vodafone have been installing new towers with this in mind but the desire for this phone is ridiculous i think they have just sold to many iPhone's, and apple still can't supply em' fast enough to meet demand.

i don't know all the details of the network upgrading, but I really do believe if people keep demanding this phone from us at the rate they are we'll never be able to catch up and everyone will suffer.

Once again I may be wrong, and it doesn't justify it, but it would explain it.
21 Dec 2010 01:19:56 PM: Cross sell! There are other phones that smash the Iphone for technology, passion and freedom to do as you choose with it!
21 Dec 2010 10:09:53 PM: if this is the case then why were voda so hell bent on signing everyone up? mate of mine used to work there and he said targets go up and up and up. to obviously get bonus you would have had to have reached that target right? so why make stores targets so high if you know you cant support that many people on the network that you are signing up? this is in no way directed at you but it is very poor. I think it is putrid how people abuse staff and I agree with the store can't do much. people really need to think of contacting complaints departments so calls relating to problems are recorded and record them yourself so that if you need to go to TIO you have evidence, not just, 'oh my phone hasnt been working for months, i dont care that it is out of warranty, i could have brought it in and i didnt". as well as providers providing good service, people need to take ownership of their things and not take it out on staff when they dont.
22 Dec 2010 02:27:23 PM: I love how someone casually throws out the "switch sell", when you work in an area where people have more money than sense and teenagers with the same attitude towards money.. its hard to attempt a switch sell to something that they "HAVE" to have... I agree that there are many "better" handsets than the Iphone4, but when your dealing with wankers who just want a status symbol its not as easy as you make it sound...
27 Dec 2010 01:25:13 PM: get over it i worked for a failing telco on phones try that, moneys money suck it up

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1267 Someone from WA thinks vodafone is BAD at 20 Dec 2010 10:23:13 PM
I just joined Vodafone from Optus and regret the move due to the reception. On the train, with optus, it was fine and I could surf the net. Now on Vodafone, I can't get any reception when the train is moving. They better fix this soon or im getting out of this contract.

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1266 Someone from QLD thinks vodafone is the worst network in AU at 20 Dec 2010 10:16:53 PM
I've used Voda for over 5 years in Queensland. Like everyone else, I was initially sucked in by the cheap rates, and the old adage 'you get what you pay for' has never rung more true. Started with prepay, went onto a contract around 3 years ago. About 18 mths /2 yrs ago all the family's different Voda handsets started dropping calls more regularly, callers could hear us answering but we couldn't hear them, and calls we made were not dialing through (handset shows a call is in progress but she's all blank). Different handsets from LG, Motorola, Nokia, and differing locations. I went through the help desk scenario, talked to techies and CSRs, even got a call back from a team dedicated to making it appear they cared. All with the same result in that the network problems were recognized, & network fixes were either 'coming' or had been 'delayed'. Many times on hold, waiting. I ported my number to my land line provider with a new contract, but AAPT uses Voda's network to carry, stuck in the same boat (fool!). Done all the SIM resets, handset resets and tests. My work mobile is on Voda also, when it drops a call I immediately check my other phone to try making the call (Blackberry vs Nokia) and even though both show signal neither works = NETWORK PROBLEMS. I can be anywhere in the Brisbane Metro area. Coverage in Metro isn't so much the problem as Network availability. When it's not actually down, overloading is crowding out the slots available. It's not rocket science and they know all about it, no mystery. They just don't want to spend money fixing it, which means they don't give a toss about their customers. I know that not many Telco's do here in AU, but these pricks take the cake!! I am now going to force the issue and get the hell out. Well done...
22 Dec 2010 09:56:24 PM: ACTUALLY, the company has spent over 50 BILLION dollars this year alone on network upgrades. so stick that up your ass
27 Dec 2010 12:17:36 PM: wow all that money and such a CRAP NETWORK.. Someone needs to be fired.. (and nice attitude from an obvious VodaHO troll AS USUAL, just like their "Customer Service" or COMPLETE LACK OF..


VodaHO troll
27 Dec 2010 01:49:34 PM: 50 bil eh? Wow should have spent it on the network...oh snap! You could have built the nvm for less...ooops 50 bil? I don't think so...

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1263 Someone from ACT thinks vodafone is Are you serious? at 20 Dec 2010 09:04:12 PM
To the recent posters from Tassie, it is great that you are all getting great reception. There is obviously a problem that seems to be hitting NSW, ACT and parts of Queensland the hardest. I think calling people moronic because they expect a phone and internet service provider to honor their side of the contract is a bit short sighted.

Say you are in a car accident, or your kid is having an asthma attack while you are at a park and you are having the same issues experienced in this post. If you couldn't phone for help I bet you're attitude would change considerably.

Just keep in mind that people are frustrated with their service from Vodafone at the moment (and yes, it is actually a problem - a simple Google search would show that Vodafone is under investigation from the ACCC).

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1258 Someone from ACT thinks vodafone is Really bad lately at 20 Dec 2010 07:36:47 PM
Vodafone has been very poor lately. I hardly get full coverage and the internet is just really bad, it's mostly always on edge, which is really slow and when it's on 3G it still takes ages to load up. For instance this site vodafail took about 5mins to load. I only put up with it this time so I can tell people about my experience with vodafone Im changing companies as soon as I can.

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1256 Someone from TAS thinks vodafone is at 20 Dec 2010 07:15:15 PM
I live in Tassie, and apart from the east coast, where it is known there isn't coverage I don't have any problems. You complainers are all moronic, wish I knew where some of you worked, and see if you like having someone just like yourself on the other end of the line complaining, and not listening. I am so glad I don't have to talk to you morons any more!!!!
28 Dec 2010 12:16:48 PM: well said!
28 Dec 2010 08:00:24 PM: O dear, I still do so I will abuse away online... morons indeed! if you have a serious problem, write down as many examples (time/date/numbers involved) and be prepared to 'troubleshoot' with someone on the phone. It is not a 5 minute process. I am sure the staff have not been told to tell all customer to go to hell and do everything in your power NOT to help them. People are often rediculious and have unrealistic expectations.

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1252 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is poor signal again epic fail at 20 Dec 2010 06:33:31 PM
I am within 1km of 3 Vodafone Metropolitan towers but can only get a very poor mobile broadband signal. It drops down to GPRS or Edge network signal constantly. A 3 hour outage a few weeks back went unexplained by Vodafoney.
I cannot even check system status on the Vodafone page as the link just takes me to a blank page. Hahah, this company is a laugh. Back to Telstra for me.

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1249 Someone from TAS thinks vodafone is Working fine for me at 20 Dec 2010 06:22:01 PM
I'm not in a mess. My Vodafone service works just fine, given the limited coverage here in Tassie - Which is no secret, but for where I use my phone, it's not a problem for me. I bet this doesn't get published. Can't go having people post positive comments, that's not the done thing these days.

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1247 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is its like reusing toilet paper at 20 Dec 2010 06:11:55 PM
Got on vodafone plan over a year or so back. Have had problems since get go. Call drop outs, bad coverage, bad call quality, phone internet issues, multiple handset issues etc. Called vodafone multiple times but could not get through to anyone. In fact, after waiting for half hour, the actual vodafone IVR system would drop calls. Before the introduction of 'Lara' you did have a 1 in 80 chance to talk to someone in a call centre in india. But they talk more, listen less and read off a scenario script that meant they would ramble on about what they are NOT able to do and what the problem MAY be, rather than talk about when and how it would be fixed. But they will bar your phone for non-payment regardless of your problem being related.
After complaining to TIO I finally got a response from the Vodafone Resolution Centre, but you could not talk to a more useless person. Issue still not resolved. Bare in mind one thing. The TIO complaint is a formal process, however there is also a response framework and as long as Vodafone responds within that framework, it is safe from any serious penalty. A real resolution is open to interpretation, as does the root problem. The TIO does try its best to help you but the laws and regulation that equip them, appear loose or not up-to-date enough to hold any Telecommunication Company to any reasonable Consumer Standards. But then again why should Vodafone do anything about its service standards. The Industry sector it is a part of, does not have any real regulation to deliver quality. Its not as if any of the other Telecoms are any better. And they have no reason to be. Our national telco is Telstra........ and how many complaints has Telstra had and for how many years........... and how good is it today................ I am glad to see someone ACTUALLY take a stand and others flocking to support, but sorry folks this is Australia. The Telco's and the Banks are bigger than our leaders and the leadership qualities they have. We will always be on the back-foot with them. There will be someone there to pacify you but no real resolution. The NBN will be a grand failure and all these existing Telecoms will be there to fill the gap, in the same way they are doing now.
The ACCC getting involved is a huge positive. There is a lot of public trust in the ACCC and I look forward to their findings. Hopefully they can also look into why Australians are paying one of the highest mobile rates in the world and not just for one of the worst coverage.

And good on you for starting this website and taking a stand.
21 Dec 2010 12:17:01 PM: Thanks, the ACCC definitely looks to be investigating. Hopefully they have something for us soon.

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1246 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is Super Fail at 20 Dec 2010 06:04:19 PM
I was in and out of coverage all day in the Sydney CBD

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1244 Someone from VIC thinks vodafone is VERY FAIL! at 20 Dec 2010 05:49:56 PM
Mobile internet is appalling! Web pages require several reloads to finish loading properly; they take 30 seconds to load a medium-sized web page.

Calls drop out every 2-5 minutes, despite perfect reception, and both parties not moving during the call.

SMSes sometimes do not get sent, despite near-full bars of reception.

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1237 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is Consistently failing to satisify. at 20 Dec 2010 03:54:27 PM
Following 10 years with Vodafone and after a recent upgrade of my phone and plan coverage is failing, the the business as a whole has failed to provide me with any reasonable explination as to why this is happening. Both my wireless broadband and mobile fail to work in a service area that is apparently high coverage.

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1236 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is No customer sevice at 20 Dec 2010 03:52:46 PM
After fifteen calls, being on hold for cumulatively 1.5 hours, complaining about not reception I finally got a call back from the outsourced customer support centre advising me that there were no problems with the service in the postcodes I'd reported and that I'm the only one complaining. I give up. They're not getting my business. I'm canceling my contract immediately. Good riddance.

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1233 Someone from ACT thinks vodafone is arrogant at 20 Dec 2010 02:53:12 PM
22 Dec 2010 08:37:43 AM: Can someone please provide the link for this article? I would love to read it!!
22 Dec 2010 10:32:12 AM: Can someone please provide the link for this article? I would love to read it!!
22 Dec 2010 07:19:15 PM: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/vodafone-upgrades-to-boost-data-flow/comments-fn6e0s1g-1225964802787

unbelievable

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1231 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is Shocking Coverage at 20 Dec 2010 02:39:15 PM
I have been working in Telco and IT for 15 years and have used Telstra, Optus and Vodafail! I absolutely believe they have a "weighted fair queuing" policy. The longer you are on that network the more chance you have of being kicked off. They do this because it's taboo in the telco sector to not allow customers to connect (GOS). Because they under engineer the buggery out of their networks, the people who get booted off phone calls are the ones that have been on longest! Apart from the fact they can't hand off calls between towers when you're driving around. Even if you do not move and have full coverage you always get bumped off. Absolute joke!

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1227 Someone from VIC thinks vodafone is More ass then class at 20 Dec 2010 02:34:31 PM
no reception what so ever in Victoria. I must make 5 calls to one person in a 5 min period

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1226 Someone from VIC thinks vodafone is retarded at 20 Dec 2010 02:32:08 PM
I recently moved house to an area I was a assured had perfect coverage, only to find out after i moved that the coverage was nearly non existent! Our mobiles phones are all we have, as we have no landline, and we can't use them. Vodafone have refused to compensate us.