Latest news with #Vodafone
North Wales Live
5 hours ago
- General
- North Wales Live
UK 'stuck on repeat' as new research says 6 in 10 repeat themselves every day
Whether it's reminding your housemate to take the bins out again (17%), telling the kids to brush their teeth for the third time (18%), or chasing that colleague one more time (27%), new research from Vodafone reveals that we're a nation stuck on repeat. According to the findings, 6 in 10 people say they're regularly forced to repeat themselves every day, with nearly all Brits (92%) finding it frustrating, and a fifth (21%) admitting it's one of their biggest bugbears, and serial repeaters wishing they never had to ask more than once (95%). Asking someone to do their share of the housework (20%) more than once is the main reason those living with partners are irked at home; and it's the common theme of young kids going to bed on time (30%) or doing their homework (24%) that parents across the nation are tired of repeating themselves with. Continually reminding friends about plans (12%), asking someone to transfer money (12%) or asking a colleague the same question (13%) also feature highly on Brit's list of the repeat requests that rile them up the most. But, whilst household and relationship related asks rate high on the list of most annoying things people have to ask repeatedly, the research found its customer service that really pushes Brits to their repetitive limit. When faced with a problem with a product or service and contact with customer service is needed, almost all Brits (87%) have had to explain their issue more than once. In fact, on average, we're having to repeat it up to 4 times, spend over 15 minutes on hold, send 4 messages to a chatbot with no avail, get timed out and have to start again 2 times, and are passed around 3 different agents whilst doing so. Remembering special passwords (41%), the tricky 'first pet' question (36%) and old usernames (30%) having to finding old account numbers (32%) and order numbers (28%) are all added pressures that test our patience along the way. In its ambition to set a new standard for customer service in the industry, Vodafone has launched 'Just Ask Once', a game-changing new service will see one person deal with a customer's query from start to finish, until it is sorted. This removes well-known bug bears such as waiting on hold, repeating the problem to multiple different people, and the need to chase for an update. If the query can't be resolved straight away, the same person from Vodafone will proactively message the customer with updates until it is solved, so they aren't left worrying, wondering what is going on or spending time chasing. Partnering with Vodafone, psychologist Jo Hemmings reveals that repeating fatigue is real, and why we find it so irritating to ask simple things more than once. She said: 'Having to repeat ourselves, especially over something simple, can feel incredibly frustrating because it signals that we're not being heard or valued. And the proof is there – Vodafone's research shows that 95% of us wish we didn't have to ask the same thing more than once! 'This taps into the basic human psychological need for recognition and autonomy, which are both key drivers for mental wellbeing and day-to-day motivation. Feeling ignored or being asked to start from scratch repeatedly creates what's known as cognitive overload, where mental energy is drained. And whether it's with loved ones, colleagues, friends or even customer service, it can produce emotional fatigue and can even trigger avoidance behaviours. Over time, it's not just inconvenient - it's stressful and disempowering. 'That's why solutions that reduce this mental load, like Vodafone's 'Just Ask Once', are so important in helping people feel seen, heard and supported. It's removing the unnecessary stress that people feel when they have to get in touch with customer service, and is a promise that their problem will get solve.' Top things Brits are most fed-up of repeating more than once: Issues to multiple customer service representatives Answering the same question from customer service Chasing people to reply to a message or email Asking for an update once you have flagged an issue or problem with a service or product Making general complaints to customer service Asking someone to do their share of the housework Asking someone to transfer money Having to ask a colleague the same question over and over Repeating a food or drink order Having to ask someone to take the bins out Continually reminding friends about plans Having to chase a colleague Having to ask your kids more than once to go to bed Asking the kids to brush their teeth Telling the kids to do their homework Prompting partner to put the washing on or take it out Customers don't have to remember any long difficult case, tracking or order numbers, their mother's maiden name or the name of their first pet, they can simply log in to the MyVodafone app, send a message on get on with their day while Vodafone gets on with solving the query. Vodafone will proactively message the customer with updates until it is solved, so they aren't left worrying, wondering what is going on or spending time chasing. If Vodafone can't provide the service they've promised, then customers can leave with no exit fee. Rob Winterschladen, Consumer Director, VodafoneThree, said: 'We all know the frustration of having to ask more than once; whether it's at home, work, or when dealing with customer service - repeating ourselves is annoying. Over half of the nation find repeating themselves to customer service frustrating, and for a fifth, it's even their biggest bugbear. 'Our new 'Just Ask Once' promise is based on a simple principle, when a customer needs help, they ask us once and we'll sort it. By messaging through the MyVodafone app, just like you would a friend on WhatsApp, you'll get your own dedicated problem solver and proactive updates, so there's no repeating yourself or waiting around on your phone - you can just get on with your day.' Customers who don't want to contact Vodafone customer service using the My Vodafone app can still get help by calling 191 on their mobile or through the Vodafone website here.
Rhyl Journal
9 hours ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Is Lloyds bank app down? Users complain it is not working
Users were quick to turn to other social media platforms to complain about the outages. One user said: "Why is the app not working?" Another added: "Again!!!! And on pay day. When will I be able to access my app?" Lloyds responded to concerns on X, saying: "Thanks for getting in touch. Sorry about this. Some customers are having issues with our app right now. Bear with us as we fix this" Thanks for getting in touch. Sorry about this. Some customers are having issues with our app right now. Bear with us as we fix this. ^Will There has been more than a month's worth of unplanned tech and system outages in the last two years for nine of the UK's biggest banks and building societies, according to data published by the Treasury Committee earlier this year. The committee – a cross-party group formed of 11 members – asked the lenders' UK chief executives to reveal the scale of recent IT failures and estimates for how much customers might be paid in compensation. It comes after an outage led to days of disruption for Barclays customers at the end of January, coinciding with payday for many workers and the deadline for self-assessment tax returns. Across the nine banks and building societies, there have been at least 158 IT failure incidents between January 2023 and February 2025, according to estimates they provided. Common reasons given for the incidents include problems with third-party suppliers, disruption caused when systems were changed, and internal software malfunctions. Downdetector is an online website that allows users of popular services including X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, Virgin Media and more to report if they are having trouble with the services. The site only reports an incident when the number of problem reports is significantly higher than the typical volume for that time of day. Describing itself on its website, Downdetector is 'where people go when services don't work.' Recommended reading: EE, O2, Vodafone, Three and BT all down as customers report issues How to save on mobile roaming charges abroad with Vodafone, eSIMania, EE and more Virgin Media gives customers access to 14 free channels - see what's available The website monitors disruptions to various key services including the internet, web hosting platforms, banks, social media and more. You can see the full methodology and learn more about how Downdetector collects status information and detects problems via its website. In short, users can get involved by submitting any issue reports on the platform. Problem indicators are also collected from social media and other factors on the web, Downdetector explained.
Stuff.tv
2 days ago
- Business
- Stuff.tv
Here's how you can save over £1000 on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7
Been eyeing the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 or Flip 7 and wincing at the price tag? I know, me too. The new flagship folding phones offer some big upgrades over the previous generation, but they don't come cheap. Fortunately, Vodafone is offering a rather tempting deal: trade in your current phone and you could save over £1000 on Samsung's new foldables. Read more: A week with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 convinced me this is the new foldable to beat You can save up to £1032 on the Fold 7 – made up of £504 off the device and airtime plus up to £528 for your trade-in. For the Flip 7 and the more affordable Flip 7 FE, the total trade-in saving caps at £528 – still not bad considering they already start at relatively low prices for flagship foldables. When you trade your old device in, you get a guaranteed value straight away. You can apply it as a monthly discount or use it to pay off your current phone plan. Vodafone also throws in its Lifetime Service Promise where you can get repairs and services done for free. You can spread contract payments over 36 months at 0% APR with flexible upfront costs and even upgrade from just three months in. Plus, you can sign up to Vodafone's rewards and gadget insurance that uses approved parts. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is available from £54 a month (plus a £50 upfront cost), based on a 36-month Phone Plan and 24-month Unlimited Max Airtime Plan – with a £22 monthly saving from trade-in applied for two years. The Z Flip 7 comes in at £27 a month (also £50 upfront), while the Flip 7 FE goes even lower at £21.50 a month (£40 upfront). Each of these prices also includes a £22 trade-in saving per month for 24 months.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Vodafone CEO asked how she sleeps at night by ex-franchisee amid £120m legal action
The Vodafone chief executive has been asked how she sleeps at night by one of the 62 former store owners involved in a £120m legal action that claims the mobile operator 'unjustly enriched' itself at their expense. Donna Watton, one of the group of 62 franchisees that have taken their claim to the high court, challenged Margherita Della Valle at Vodafone's annual general meeting on Tuesday. 'I have a question for the chief executive,' said Watton, speaking at the sparsely attended meeting at Vodafone's headquarters in Newbury. 'I am a Vodafone ex-franchisee, and I am one of the group of 62 suing this company for £120m for what it did to us, and I want to know: Margherita, how do you sleep at night knowing Vodafone's actions left people suicidal, cost them their homes, and left them drowning in debt?' The legal case was launched in December, claiming Vodafone slashed commissions paid to franchisees operating the mobile phone company's retail outlets. Many have claimed the company's actions made them fear they would lose their livelihoods, homes or life savings after running up personal debts of more than £100,000. Jean-François van Boxmeer, the chair of Vodafone leading the meeting proceedings, stepped in to field the question on behalf of Della Valle. He said that it was right he field the question as 'the master of ceremonies here and also protecting the sleep of Margherita'. 'I understand your question and I am not saying I do not feel the pain that you might [be going] through,' he said. 'You are referring to a case which is a commercial case between Vodafone UK and a group of franchisees in the UK. That case has been through a mediation that has been unfortunately unsuccessful. It is now a matter in the hands of court. You will allow us not to comment on procedures that are in court. I will not in this general assembly make further comments on what is now in the hands of courts.' He said that Vodafone remains open to further mediation, a process that ended without resolution in May. Vodafone, which says the legal claim is worth £85.5m, has consistently said that it refutes the claims made by the franchisees in their legal action. Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion One shareholder, who said they had travelled a great distance to attend the Newbury meeting, challenged why Della Valle was too 'shy' to address attendees. 'I don't come for the sandwiches, I come to engage with the board and management,' he said. 'I've gone to a lot of AGMs this year. [At] the other AGMs the chief executives were not so shy that we weren't addressed. I've come a long way, I've probably used a lot of petrol to come here. Surely as one of the seven shareholders that have turned out I deserve some sort of address from the chief executive. Is there nothing good to report, is there nothing bad to report?' Van Boxmeer responded that Della Valle would only offer replies to 'very concrete questions relating to how the business is going'.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
O2 and Vodafone mobile customers warned of network problems TODAY due to ‘essential works'
O2 and Vodafone mobile customers have been warned of network issues today. The tech giants will be carrying out essential maintenance work, which may affect services until 8 pm this evening. 1 Customers had hoped the work was about 5G upgrade Credit: Getty The work is being carried out in The news is expected to leave a sour taste in the mouths of O2 customers in Devon's capital city after recent complaints over the network in the area. The telecoms company, owned by Virgin Media O2, has previously responded to problems in the St Thomas area. A message was sent to customers, which read: "To make our network more reliable, we'll be starting essential works in the area. read more on O2 "This may affect your services for a while. We know this isn't ideal, but we aim to have you back online by 8pm on July 29." The message also included a link for users to track the progress of the work being carried out. And hopes that the latest maintenance work would bring improved 5G to the area have been squashed. Most read in Tech reveals that Vodafone and O2 do not currently provide 5G mobile in the area. Vodafone confirmed the work is not related to increasing 5G coverage. A spokesperson for the company said: "Our team is undertaking essential site maintenance in this area. "We encourage customers to sign up to Network Checker to receive status updates regarding network issues and planned work.' 5G is the fifth generation in mobile network technology and was launched across the UK in 2019 and 2020. EE was the first company to launch commercial 5G and Vodafone followed shortly after, treating customers to the service in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool and London. O2 rolled out its 5G service in October 2019 and covered Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London, Slough and Leeds. Giffgaff, which uses O2's infrastructure, only started offering 5G in January 2021. How to tackle phone addiction Mobile phone addiction is becoming a growing concern, with many people spending an excessive amount of time glued to their screens. This constant engagement with our devices is not just a harmless habit; it can lead to a range of health issues. Experts have warned that the overuse of smartphones can contribute to problems such as eye strain, poor posture, and disrupted sleep patterns. The blue light emitted by phone screens can interfere with the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep, making it harder for individuals to fall asleep and stay asleep. Moreover, the addiction to phones can have psychological effects. The pressure to stay constantly connected and the barrage of notifications can lead to increased stress and anxiety. Social media, in particular, can contribute to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem, as people often compare their lives to the seemingly perfect lives portrayed online. This can lead to a vicious cycle where individuals seek validation through their phones, further entrenching their addiction. To mitigate these effects, it is important to establish healthier phone usage habits. Setting boundaries, such as designated phone-free times or areas, can help reduce screen time. Engaging in activities that do not involve screens, such as reading a book or going for a walk, can also be beneficial. By taking proactive steps to limit phone use, individuals can improve both their physical and mental well-being.
