Breaking phone contracts

[MrGood]

Recently (last 6 months-ish type thing) signed up to vodafone for 24 months.

The service is ****. Even in the Melbourne city sometimes it struggles to get 3G reception, takes forever. Was holidaying over in Tasmania last week and barely got any reception at all.

I wanna break my contract and go to Telstra, but buying out would cost a fortune. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of how I may be able to get out of my contract? I've been a vodafone (vodafone\three) customer for just on 6 years, is there any likelihood I could convince Telstra to pay for some of the fee? Would vodafone let me out of the contract for my saying I'm unhappy with the reception etc?

Never done this before so just looking for some advice.

[CelticAngel82]

i've had telstra break me out of an optus contract (for both mobile, and internet/landline) and waivered any fees - i wanted out because of really **** service etc, explained to telstra how unhappy i was with optus and whatnot, and i dunno if they just felt sorry for me or its standard, but yeh they changed me over and i didn't have to pay any exit fees from optus.

you could call voda and explain to them about how unhappy you are, and see what they say, then try your luck with telstra.

[Chucky]

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of how I may be able to get out of my contract?

Sure

Contact Vodafone and complain about everything ~ Note down who you spoke to, what time etc etc etc
Contact Vodafone again a day or two later ~ Whinge all over again, point out nothing is being fixed (again note down everything)
Contact the TIO (Telephone Industry Ombudsman) ~ In your complaint with the TIO, note down who you spoke to, what they offered etc, whinge loudly and say it is unacceptable and you wish to be let out of your contract.

Wait 10 days for Vodafone to respond to the TIO complaint

If Vodafone have not responded to the TIO complaint, escalate at the TIO with your original complaint number.

You should be let out of your contract penalty free

When in doubt read vodafail.com

[MunchY]

Exactly what Chucky said. It's the best way.

[MaddMoose]

Don't quote me on this. But you probably have grounds to terminate the contract without penalty as Vodafone have failed to deliver on their end of the contract. Put it in writing to Vodafone, if they refuse , get the ombudsman involved.

[xkrewshe8]

Chucky is spot on here.

Had to do the exact same thing with Vodaphone, as did another work colleague.
Your best bet is to follow exactly what chucky has said, as basically, with everything documented, and having the ombudsmen involved, you pretty much cover you from copping any charges really.

[Canguro]

As another successful vodafone contract breaker, I would add to that above that you need to arm yourself with patience... It's not going to happen quickly.