Rant warning!!! If there’s one thing that REALLY rattles my cage it’s big business doing the dirty. Don’t get me wrong – I have no problem with them making money. I don’t even have a problem with them making vast amounts of money. Or even over paying their management. I do have a problem with them not serving their customers and ripping them off. I expect everyone to get fair deals.
The case in point – and the reason for writing this post … A friend lost their phone a while back and reported it to their provider. The provider said they’d have to continue paying the contract off and take out a new contract. This they did, not happily, but they did it. 8 months later I’m told this story and I’m chomping at the bit to dive right in!!!lol My friend said there was nothing we could do and to just leave it – I DON’T THINK SO!!!
Doing what’s right
I rang the provider, while with my friend and they explained why the old contract had to be paid. I asked how many calls had been made on the old number since it was reported lost and they said none. They added that they’d sent out a new new sim and the customer, my friend, had requested a new phone. The provider also stated that this happens all the time. I said I wanted the old contract cancelling and a refund of 8 months at £20 per month. The provider said “no chance!!!” Now I’m just trying to get fair deals for my friend.
I asked to speak to a manger and the provider said he’d have a word with their manager for me. On hold for 10 minutes and they come back – nothing we can do. I ask who do I write to to put in a complaint. You don’t, you escalate it through me they replied – “excellent … let’s go for I say”. The provider says he might be able to go back to his manager and get the contract cancelled, but there’s only four months left any way so probably not worth bothering with. I say have a word with your manager and we’ll start with the contract cancelling. On hold for 10 minutes!!!
You have to play the long game
The old contract will be cancelled from today, is there anything else we can help you with today? So that’s £80 saved :O) “Yes actually there is something else – I’d like the £160 my friends been charged since the phone was reported lost refunded please”. “No can do” says the provider. “Would you like to talk to your manager or should I” I ask. 10 minutes on hold again!!! :O)
We can refund you three months and cancel the contract from today, but that’s absolutely everything we can do. “Many thanks” I say, ” you’ve been most helpful”.
So £80 of future costs saved and a refund of £60 – a good hours work I think. It’s also about how to get fair deals – it’s what’s right. After all, the said this happens all the time.
The moral of this story is – don’t accept what you’re told as the absolute the truth – especially from big business – and even more so from banks … don’t even get me started on banks!!! :O)
Stand up for what’s right. Don’t accept the unacceptable. Be strong. Be courageous. Get what’s rightly yours.
Have a great week. Love and peace,
Paul :O)
If you have money problems and don’t know where to turn, drop me a line. There’s always something you can do. Contact me here.