[Resolved]  Vodafone — Bill amount exceeding limit

I have a serious concern with my vodafone billing.

Background:
Couple of weeks back i had to go to US for office work. I activated the international roaming on my vodafone to ensure I am in touch with my colleagues and clients. I had to use my vodafone for 3 days while in US.
I was aware of the fact that my credit limit was Rs.7000, and as per the regulations i knew that as soon as i reach the limit I would not be able to use the vodafone service. On the 4th day of my US trip, my wife called up saying that vodafone executive had called up and informed her that the bill amount has reached over Rs.15, 000...this was indeed shocking as technically it should not go over Rs.7, 000.

My experience with Vodafone:
I have been using vodafone for over 3 years now and have never defaulted a single time. I guess my bills have been in the range of Rs 2, 000 - Rs 3, 000 every month. I have had no complaints with vodafone service so far except the one mentioned above.

My Concern:
With the above incident (crossing my credit limit), i feel like i am being cheated. If I had reached the limit, I guess it is reasonable for me to expect either an sms or a phone call from vodafone to alert me that I am about to reach my credit limit. But unfortunatly no one bothered to do that.

Secondly, since the bill had reached over Rs.15, 000, the phone was disconnected while I was in US. Only I know what discomfort I went through. The most concerning factor was, I was to meet with a client on the airport for a contract, but my flight got delayed. If my vodafone was working, I could have called my client the moment I would have landed, however since my service was disconnected I couldn't do that. I had to run all over the airport to find a phone, and by the time I called the client, he had already left. It was certainly a tremendous business loss to my company and personal/professional loss to me...i am still traumatized about that incident.

Next step:
Honestly, I am in not position to pay the entire bill (Rs.17, 000). From an ethical point of view, I have no issues in paying the credit limit of Rs 7, 000 as I feel that it is something that I owe to Vodafone. But the additional amount is certainly something that vodafone should look at waiving off.

Given my losses at the business, i was so furious that i would have never even bothered writing to them or paying the bill, but since i understand the business dynamics I deliberatly did not intend to make vodafone suffer from any loss, nor was i wanting to incur any loss by paying the entire amount.

When i wrote an email to them, they replied back saying they are sorry for the inconvenience, however they an help it and I have to pay the bill.

Regards,

Santosh Shenoy