Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2012/11/01/vodafail_attracts_dealer_angst/

Vodafone Oz taken to court by dealer

Liquidator says Voda's billing systems drop out

By Natalie Apostolou

Posted in On-Prem, 1st November 2012 00:02 GMT

Update Vodafone Australia has something else to worry about besides its dwindling customer base and fragile network, as dealer BD Mobile suing the carrier for unpaid commissions.

BD Mobile, also known as Besyl, was one of Vodafone’s exclusive dealers but was placed into voluntary liquidation in February.

Boutique insolvency firm Jamieson Louttit, was appointed liquidator and has issued a letter of demand for allegedly unpaid monthly commissions. After failing to get the issue resolved the matter is now headed to the NSW Supreme Court. Louttit claims that Besyl/BD Mobile is owed around $AUD162,000 is lost commission, but is claiming $3 million on the grounds of loss of business and customers.

The dealer claims that Vodafone’s billing systems had failed to accurately calculate the commissions owed to the dealers and that Vodafone has been relying on each of its dealers to calculate their own commissions manually. “The Vodafone billing system and calculation of commissions outstanding to dealers seems an absolute mess,” Louttit said.

When Besyl was placed into administration earlier in the year it had claimed that Vodafone’s poor network coverage had an adverse impact on its business.

Earlier this week http://www.theregister.com/2012/10/29/vodafone_troubled_downunder/ Vodafone Australia announced it would be restructuring and shedding an estimated 500 staff.

The carrier lost 178,000 customers in the six months to July and it currently investing in overhauling its network and infrastructure. Vodafone CEO Bill Morrow said that the company was “prepared to think and act differently in everything we do.”

Update

Vodafone Australia has written to The Reg and offered the following statement:

“VHA has responded to a letter of demand from Besyl Pty Limited to confirm that we do not owe BD Mobile any outstanding commissions. As the liquidator is aware, proceedings have been stayed until any further court order.”

Besyl's liquidator has told The Reg it disagrees with Vodafone's position. ®