NUC code for ipad air on Vodafone

Question

I bought my Daughter a second hand Ipad air today from cash convertors.
It came with all the original accessories and a box etc.
Unfortunately its locked to Vodafone. I am not now nor have I ever been a Vodafone customer.
While I was in the cash convertor shop, I rang Vodafone and explained that I have a pay monthly Tesco sim that I wanted to use in the ipad air. I explained how it was locked to Vodafone and I was told not to worry, that once I had bought the ipad I should ring them back with the imei number and they would unlock it for me free of charge.
Feeling happy, I went ahead and bought the Ipad, took it home and rang Vodafone. I couldn't get through so I tried the online chat. I was repeatedly told to fill in an NUC form online. I told them dozens of times that I couldn't as I am not a customer so I am unable to enter the phone number the form wants (or it wont let you submit the form).
So I was told to buy a Vodafone sim pack and put £20 on it. Then they said they would take £19.99 from the sim and send me an unlock code!!! Why should I pay them?
I told them again that im not now nor have I ever been a customer and they still say I have to pay to unlock the ipad.
Now I thought that they would just do it for free as that was what I was told on the phone.
I gave up with online and tried phoning again. This time I got through and after explaining again, I was told that Vodafone cannot unlock it, Apple have to do it!
Once again I explained how I had been told just 1 hour earlier that Vodafone would unlock it for me for free and I was basically called a liar.
So, what do I do now? Apple say Vodafone should unlock it and Vodafone say Apple should do it!
Does anyone know how to unlock it with out either of them passing round and round in circles?

Answer 1

Do you want me to make something up that will make you happier.
There is no "code" to unlock an iDevice. You are correct that the cell carrier sends an unlock request to Apple, Apple contacts the cell carrier when he activation database has been updated, they notify the customer. After that the customer connect their device to their computer and in iTunes they restore it as a new device. They then get a message, "Congratulations, your iPad is now unlocked".
Not many iPads are locked, the only ones I've heard of are subsidized models from Vodaphone and EE. Apple is not passing any buck in your situation, the entire thing revolves around Vodaphone. The person who originally spoke with you should have told you their rules for unlocking the iPad and failed to do so. You could call Vodaphone and see if they have a customer service department and if they will do anything at all to help you. Apple will not change their policy so you would be wasting your time contacting them. You could also just use it as a WiFi only iPad.