Vodafone Customer Service aka Customer Must Serve. Review on Vodafone Essar Ltd

Remember the ad from Vodafone where the dog follows the master everywhere. well it follows the master even when restricted and refrained from following. If you have deactivated a service with Vodafone and have a confirmation for it, doesn't mean that the service has stopped.

Its soul is still in the phone and shows up once a month - in your bill. And if you call to report, you are told blocking the service is not enough, you need to remove all the applications, change your mobile phone settings to ensure Vodafone doesn't reach you. Actually they want you to throw ur smart fone in the ocean and use primitive almost extinct phones.

So here is my story. I moved to the US July this year. Before leaving, I called to discontinue my Vodafone datapack however, didn't want to deactivate the number since my move is temporary. So the datapack was deactivated and I am charged a basic fee every month which is my billing plan fee to keep my number active. Suddenly, in September 2014 bill, there are data usage charges worth 2k. My surprise -

1. My datapack is inactive only international roaming is on which is free for me and charged if used to make a call or receive a call or for outgoing text.

   
   




2. I don't have any applications installed anymore on that handset that need data

   
   




3. Cellular data is turn off from the settings

   
   




4. And this one will amaze you - my handset has been off since my tenure in the US.

   
   

So you can gather my amazement when I see this bill. However, giving benefit of doubt, I call Vodafone service center and here is what I am told -

1. I am lying

   
   




2. I have used the services and Vodafone hasn't made the mistake

   
   




3. And I should pay the bill to avoid late fee

   
   

Of course, I ask for supervisor, and guess what he says the above 3 too and in addition too that he adds the 4th and 5th point -

1. By deactivating datapack doesn't mean your services are discontinued altogether

   
   




2. If you want this issue resolved, instead of calling, write to us and hangs up.

   
   

Frustrated, I make a written complain, three customer service reps, send us the same email with different signature and not understanding our concern. I use social media to express my discontent and I am promised earliest resolution.

Here, I am three weeks later with no call, no email and being asked to be patient on twitter as if waiting on the phone wasn't enough! I am sure I am not the first to be harassed by a mobile service provider. after all we have given them the power to rule us by empowering our handheld devices which rule our life now! I hope this results in some outcome.

A disgruntled yet helpless consumer.