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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426 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is Worst Telco ever. ACCC FAIL AS WELL at 17 Dec 2010 03:57:07 PM
ACCC. AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT. ANYONE ! PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE CROOKS. THEY ARE THIEVES. HOW ARE THESE COMPANIES ABLE TO CONTINUE OPERATE AND STEAL MONEY WITH NO CONSEQUENCES ?

Important work messages that come 1 day later, lost work, lost Clients, dropped calls, unable to make calls, no service. 3 hour wait times to speak to someone.

The worst phone company in the world.

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417 Someone from VIC thinks vodafone is Significantly poor at 17 Dec 2010 03:46:01 PM
For about 6 weeks or more, I have not been able to attach to the internet using 3G from my Collins Street office. I called Vodafone a few weeks ago and was told there was nothing to do about it because of "access congestion" on the Vodafone network. More recently I've found calls dropping out and no improvement in accessing the internet. Yesterday I called and was told transmitters in Flinders Street were being upgraded and some of the problems were caused by the merger between Vodafone and "3". I was told that I should see an improvement to the network. In the mean time, no offer was made to compensate me for failed access, dropped calls etc. I've had enough and in the process of changing carriers. I'll take up the issue with the Telecommunications Ombudsman.

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411 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is totaly crap!!! at 17 Dec 2010 03:40:23 PM
I have been a Vodacrap customer since about 2000 ... but recently they have gone to the dogs. Apart from having become accustomed to getting voice mail messages up to a week after they are sent, dropped calls (almost each call from the center of Sydney), and 'no service' many times a day I have had a MAJOR issue with the Vodacrap outgoing mail server.

The vodacrap outgoing mail server (ie I can receive but I can't send email) has not been working since JULY (6 months). They say it is intermittent... I disagree, it is constant. They have acknowledged it is a technical problem with their server, on many iphones, and not with settings on my handset. During the many calls made to the help desk I was typically told 'we are working on it' but they can't provide any information on when it would be resolved. Alternatively I have been told it would be resolved in a few days... which never eventuated.
When I emailed Vodafone complaints I got:
"Thank you for your email.
I regret the difficulties you have been experiencing with this issue and that you have not been kept up to date. The issue has been bigger than fist anticipated and this has led to the delays, please be assured it has Vodafone's full attention and it's being treated as a high priority.
Kind regards,
Sharon
Correspondence Team"
No kidding the issue is bigger than you thought... that was at about one month into your outgoing mail server not working!

In desperation I have contacted the TIO ... but effectively they have just referred the problem back to Vodacrap, which, you guessed it, they have not solved.

.... thanks for letting me vent my frustration!

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401 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is Cataclysmic at 17 Dec 2010 03:34:11 PM
I'm one of the lucky ones. I was with them for a year with an iPhone 3GS - mainly because Telstra was expensive and we're in an Optus black spot here. Always had call dropouts, but accepted it as part of the digital network - until, that is, we had a blackout at home and a sick child. Phones were out, and I couldn't get a signal fro Vodafone anywhere, despite being in their "3G coverage area".

Once child was sorted at hospital, I'd had enough. They told me "go out on the road to make a call - we only guarantee signal to the street - despite being on the top of a hill and facing the tower.

I packed up both phones, cancelled the plans and ported the numbers and told them to shove the service - they had breached their contract. They reluctantly agreed to termination fees, and allowed me to port that day (to Telstra), but took them 2 months to send me the post-paid satchels to return the phones. And the whole time they kept billing me - PLUS $1000 cancellation fee !!!

While their customer service may have improved in some areas (i.e. the Twitter guys were very good), their network SUCKS

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352 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is Rubbish at 17 Dec 2010 02:55:27 PM
I spent 2 years with rubbish reception and service from Vodafone. Since switching to Telstra I have not had one dropped call in three months. When Switching to Telstra I had to go to the Vodafone store to get my customer number. It took 45mins in a queue for them to look up the system and obtain my number. I Then walked back to the Telstra shop and was served within 10 secs of walking in the door. When I spoek with Vodafone at one stage I was advised that if I could log three dropped calls within 48 hours they would help me terminate my contract early. This wasn't a problem and I was able to get out of the last three months of my contract. Should have done it sooner. Good luck

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332 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is FIVE STRAIGHT SETS at 17 Dec 2010 02:50:41 PM
I agree with below's thoughts that Vodafone has become 3. No reception in city, dropped calls, mobile internet pain... all very 3.

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294 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is Big Time Failure at 17 Dec 2010 02:32:19 PM
Apart from constant call dropouts, no service dispalyed on the screen 20 times in a day.

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224 Someone from SA thinks vodafone is Woeful for months! at 17 Dec 2010 02:06:33 PM
After experiencing the same probs as I now know are common (i.e dropped calls, no network service, delayed voicemails), I eventually went to a Vodafone store to complain and was told it was a "known" problem associated with a tech upgrade and that it should be rectified within a week. Months later, the service is just as unreliable/unsatisfactory! Why weren't we told in the first place! I emailed them yesterday to cancel my contract - will see how long it takes to get a response!

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191 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is Super at 17 Dec 2010 01:55:31 PM
I am getting the same dropped calls, unable to make calls, poor 3g coverage etc that everyone else is getting, despite the fact I work in Sydney CBD and live about 2ks from the City Centre.

On top of that my Vodafail wireless internet on my laptop drops out regularly and often is unable to get 3G coverage. The nice lady at vodafone said it might be because my house has a tin or corrugated iron roof! A TIN ROOF! Surely, if the type of roof I have has any bearing on my ability to use their product it should have been explained BEFORE I signed up to a 24 month contract. Vodaphone sucks balls. I feels so good to be able to complain about this.

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180 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is cr*p at 17 Dec 2010 01:53:28 PM
After many years as a Vodafone pre-paid customer - and suffering the odd "unannounced" issue with voicemail - I have decided to switch to another carrier following this recent debacle ... moreso since Vodafone continue to claim that no problem exists.

Dropped calls, "No Signal", slow data or no data, inability to make or receive calls, voicemail messages received days later, text messages received hours later, useless customer service.

Vodafone have completely mis-managed the integration of their network with that of "3" - and we the customer are now paying the price!!

I'm just glad that I'm pre-paid so can walk without any problem.

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168 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is EPIC FAIL at 17 Dec 2010 01:50:22 PM

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156 Someone from ACT thinks vodafone is Eppic at 17 Dec 2010 01:47:28 PM
Vodafone is useless. I am disgusted by Lara the stupid robot that takes my calls. the network is utterly shit and im sick and tired of dropped calls.

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129 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is Horrible at 17 Dec 2010 01:42:00 PM
Constant dropped calls - or get that weird computer sound in the middle of the calls

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90 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is 3rd world service at 17 Dec 2010 01:24:23 PM
Vodafone sux in the city. I constantly cant send SMS, or get delayed SMS, continuous dropped calls and waiting on hold to Vodafone for at least an hour before being hung up on. I have been with most of the carriers and Vodafone has got soo bad over the last 2-3months that the service is almost non existant.. 3rd world service Vodafone!

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79 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is completely useless at 17 Dec 2010 01:18:39 PM
I work for a software company that offers 24/7 support, which I am on the roster for.
* phone doesn't ring and only sometimes missed call is shown.. Also, voicemails always appear late (> 1hr later)
* call dropouts & call failure when dialing.
* 3G drops out without warning, making iPhone apps useless.
Living & working in crows nest Sydney - service like I'm in Cobar.

They said it was my 10yr old sim card... Got a brand new one with the iPhone 4... No difference!

Is there a Trade Practices Act problem here? I think so!
21 Jan 2011 12:43:50 PM: No but there's an iPhone 4 hunk of rubbish problem.

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77 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is Optus/Apple fail at 17 Dec 2010 01:17:45 PM
I'm in the same mess as most of you- however I'm with Optus. Any of you Iphone users- blame those Apple dicks. My iphone used to be good, until; the "updated" the firmware. Not it's a piece of shit, exhibiting all of the issues you guys describe- dropped calls?Check. NO service in the middle of Sydney? Check. Ours later receiving SMS?check.

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72 Someone from VIC thinks vodafone is Very poor at 17 Dec 2010 01:15:39 PM
No service, dropped calls, messages are 5 days late, my customers think I don't return calls, etc...
On hold for hours, no real help or advice...I would like a refund, or/and a different telco.

Very frustrating!!!


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62 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is Terrible at 17 Dec 2010 01:10:40 PM
Dropped calls, unable to connect or call others, call fails, and incoming calls go straight to voicemail. Been ongoing for 3 months!!
Spend tens of hours trying to deal with the 1555 team. Everyone you speak to knows nothing. 1555 calls take almost an hour to answer and then you get cut off - intentionally I wonder?
Website also works intermittently, and don't waste your time speaking to them in India especially if they 'promise' to call you back.
Dial 1512 for balance updates and 'Lara' almost always tells you they having technical difficulties.
Unless someone (e.g. ACCC) can impose a hefty financial penalty nothing will change.

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36 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is never getting my business again at 17 Dec 2010 12:45:55 PM
I work for a company based in Pyrmont (Sydney CBD). I find it apalling that my phone can literally be next to me on my desk and have no service. I continually experience dropped calls and dont even bother to try calling somebody (my boss) in Glebe as they dont get service either!
I catch a train from Sutherland (30mins) and would be lucky to have internet coverage for 5-10 mins of that journey. You would think that there would be reception at major hubs like Hurstville or Sydenham but Vodafone doesnt seem to be able to manage that either

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24 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is UTTER FAILURE at 16 Dec 2010 02:22:15 PM
I've just been with them barely for 2 months now. I received a DOA phone. I've immediately called them and they've promised to send me a replacement. I even have a reference number. But still I've yet to receive the replacement handset. On top of this I often get dropped calls, switching from 3G to noG or even no signal. They have a non-existent customer service. Utter failure. I'm even on the phone at the moment with them just to disconnect my contract and still It has taken me an hour and a half just to get to someone. This is pitiful service.

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1 Someone from NSW thinks vodafone is Worst service ever at 12 Dec 2010 07:01:55 PM
I've experience dropped calls, late voicemail messages, poor battery life and bad 3G coverage. Complaining to the call centre does nothing and they refuse to replace my phone or let me out of the contract I just signed. They deny there is any issue with their network or service and redirect you to departments that are closed after waiting on hold for hours.