Samsung

[Mea1942]

Hi

I recently purchased a Samsung GT-S5230 on a monthly payment plan through the Carphone Warehouse that provides 100 minutes of calls and 500 texts per month.  I chose this phone mainly because I liked the interface but with no intention of using any of its facilities other than making calls to landlines and other mobile phones and occasionally the camera and video facilities.

There appears to be no mention in my agreement of any restrictions on the length of an individual call.  However, when I registered with Vodafone to check my account, I find that I have been charged in part for a normal landline call to an 01 number of 4 mins 17 secs.  The cost would seem to indicate that I have been charged for the time in excess of 3 minutes.  Is this correct?

I also note that owners of some mobile phones that have the facility to access the internet have been running up charges for connections that appear to be made automatically heir knowledge or input.  Are there settings on my particular phone that can be disabled to ensure that I do not inadvertently run up unintentional charges for data downloads or internet usage?

[Mea1942]

To add to the above, I have also been charged for a call to a Mobile Phone - the note says "to another network"!  If this means what I think it does , it suggests that my minutes of calls are restricted to Vodafone mobiles only - which seems to me to be a nonsense, defeating the whole point of having a monthly plan.  Is this the case or is there an error on my bill?

[AnnS]

To answer the question regarding the charge for calling an alternative network number from your Vodafone, all minutes are cross network.

If you have only recently taken out a contract with Carphone, your first bill is always on a pro rata basis where you will receive a pro rata allowance and also be charged a proportion of line rental until your first  billing date.  You are also charged one months in advance for the following month.

There is a very good link on the website which will explain how your first bill is charged and why you will find your first bill higher than expected.

You will be able to find help and tips for your new phone from the Samsung device help section from the website.

[Mea1942]

Hi

Thanks for the information.  I have since set up my account online with Vodafone and realize that the reasons for the charges for calls and texts are most likely due to me exceeding my monthly allowance because of the pro rata billing system. Had I known this would happen I would have curtailed my initial use of the phone until my billing dates were established - rather sharp practice on the part of Vodafone I think!

I have already scrutinized the handbook and (downloaded) guide for my phone but don't see much in the sections on internet access that would help me to avoid inadvertent connections.  That is why I posted here - hoping to get some first hand user advice.