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[pw99]

So, dropped my phone last night, wrecking the screen. Ah well, my upgrade is due in June so I'll ring vodafone and get a new phone on the go. Turns out, I can't upgrade until June 2013 because I'm on a 24 month contract.

But here's the thing...

1) I never agreed to a 24 month contract. 18 months is my standard, max, because 24 months is TWO YEARS. 18 months was what the sales dude said to me on the phone. And by said, apparently I mean lied to me about.

2) I did not even agree a contact which according to vodafone would have been twelve months ago. It's a transation that literally did not happen. I actually got my new phone / contact 18 months ago, hence the call to vodafone today.

3) Been a customer for years. Now treated like an idiot because someone lied to me / fudged the paperwork. Never really had a problem with what I thought was the best network going before, but now have been totally screwed over and unable to get a reasonable response over the phone(landline, sadly).  Perhaps one of the friendly customer services reps might assist me? Or do I just write angry letters to OFCOM?

Any assistance / advice from anyone who has experienced similar would be appreciated. I literally cannot believe what is happening here.

[Nabs]

Hi pw99,

Sorry to hear about your phone!

It sounds like what has happened is you took up the old 6 month early upgrade offer on your previous contract and when moving onto a new 18month contract with the remaining 6 months stacked onto the end, thus making your new commitment 24months in total.

As for your previous upgrade you should have received an email confirming the details of the upgrade. More importantly this will indicate the date your upgrade was processed, from that we can work out when your next upgrade is due and if there has in fact been a mistake made on your account.

Finally in terms of obtaining a new phone, as it stands with your upgrade not due until june 2013, there are a few options for you:

1. Purchase a new handset in full - this could be expensive depending on the handset you want
2. Pay off part of your contract to a point where you can upgrade - this may be costly initially but in the long run could work out cheaper. Note you do get a discount when paying off your contract.
3. Take an early upgrade and as the remaining months to a new contract - what i suspect has happened with your previous upgrade. Unfortunatly with such a long time remaining this may not be possible, if it is the options available will be limited and you may end up being in another long commitment.
4. Take a second line on your account to get a new handset and cancel your first line when the contract end date is reached