Vodafone UK’s accounts office has apparently shut-down because of the Indian election.
Suppliers enquiring about their invoices were instructed by mail to contact the help desk on +44 8454420306.
Calls to this number were automatically answered by a pre-recorded Indian female voice: “We are closed on account of general elections in India, please call us back later or send us an email and we will respond to your queries at the earliest opportunity. Apologies for the inconvenience caused”.
The Indian elections have been taking place over a number of weeks with the biggest voting day on 17 April when 12 states go to the polls.
“I’ve heard some super excuses about late payment in my time. However being told by one of the UK’s biggest companies that no-one is available to process a payment because of the election in India is worthy of some sort of prize”, said Keith Berry, accounts manager for Mobile News publisher Clark White Publications.
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