Forum Discussion

DonnyDriver's avatar
DonnyDriver
Up to speed
25 days ago

Auto compensation not received for full outage

Long story short - had an outage that lasted 5 days. Auto compensation not applied. Been onto WhatsApp chat a few times to ask where my compensation is. Latest chat was on Monday and they raised a formal complaint for me and said credit to my account would be there within 24 hours - no it isn't.

Where do I go now? No point going onto WhatsApp chat again as they are useless. At what point can I go to the ombudsman - do I still have to wait weeks for nothing to happen?

12 Replies

    • DonnyDriver's avatar
      DonnyDriver
      Up to speed

      Finally fixed on 20th July - so does that suggest I'll get it tomorrow maybe ??

      • Cardiffman282's avatar
        Cardiffman282
        Community elder

        Yes you should. Whether you will is quite another matter. Raise a formal written complaint in the first instance if not. Keep the thread updated. 

  • goslow's avatar
    goslow
    Alessandro Volta

    VM gets two full clear working days to fix a fault before any compo starts. Thereafter the compo applies to full calendar days.

    Also, how did you report the outage to VM at the start?

    There are regular topics on here about VM not paying what is due under the compo scheme but also the scheme may sometimes not pay out as much as expected depending on exactly what timings and days of the week are involved.

  • I've already got a formal complaint raised and a value of what I should expect to be paid. It equates to 3 days' worth of loss (5 - 2). I reported the outage to them on the very first day via the website and WhatsApp.

    • goslow's avatar
      goslow
      Alessandro Volta

      If you have the confirmation from VM you should get what is due but you may have to chase it. As per Cardiffman, your credit should be due from today onwards, one calendar month from when your service was restored.

  • So, as expected I guess, no credit showing on my account. I just replied to the complaint email I received from VM and it got bounced back.

    Anyone know the email address to complain about my complaint please?

  • ...just checked the status of my complaint and it is marked as "Resolved" - no it aint. Therefore I couldn't update it. So now had to raise another complaint to complain about the complaint ! Ridiculous.

  • goslow's avatar
    goslow
    Alessandro Volta

    You may potentially tie yourself in knots trying to use the VM complaints system as it is designed to close down complaints as quickly as possible. As a result, OFCOM currently has an investigation running into VM's complaints handling/facilitating appropriate access to ADR.

    Have you replied to the PM from John_GS? You are more likely to get useful help from the VM people on here but comm's with them is not at real-time speed, more like slow-mo but the outcome may possibly be more reliable.

    If you have had your original complaint 'resolved' you should have been given a 'resolution' by VM. What was the 'resolution' offered (it may well be gobbledegook nonsense based on many past topics on here)?

    If your issue remains unresolved, you can reject VM's resolution and VM should provide you with a deadlock letter to allow you to go to the ombudsman.

    https://portal.commsombudsman.org/resources/eight-week-and-deadlock-letters

    In any event you can go to the ombudsman 8 weeks from when you first complained as per process below

    https://www.commsombudsman.org/our-process

    That said, you should probably give the VM people a go on here first of all.

    • DonnyDriver's avatar
      DonnyDriver
      Up to speed

      "Have you replied to the PM from John_GS? You are more likely to get useful help from the VM people on here but comm's with them is not at real-time speed, more like slow-mo but the outcome may possibly be more reliable."

      Yes, I have just replied to John_GS - didn't spot this earlier as I got no notification of the message from him in my inbox. Hopefully he'll be able to sort it out.

      With regards to the 'resolution' of the last complaint - they said I would receive the credits on my account within 24 hours.

  • I'm pleased to say that @John_GS has now got my complaint sorted and has credited my account.