MS
Mariechen S
1 reviews | Active since May 2010
29 Aug 2022, 10:03
Cell C forces post-paid customers to spend more on their network.
If I could give a no star I would have done so. WARNING! Cell C forces post-paid customer to spend more money to dial 087 numbers even though they don't incur any additional cost (same as a landline). They categorically told me numerously that 087 numbers are "special" numbers and you have to pay "rand value" to dial them. You cannot use your bundle minutes. It seems very ********* business practice. Also, this can lead to runaway billing as you have no control of what cost you accumulate for phoning "special" numbers.
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Replies (4)
Cell C's replyOfficial
29 Aug 2022, 10:53Dear Mariechen,
Thank you for the email.
We have received your query regarding the call charges.
The inclusive minutes can be used for calls, including Wi-Fi Calling, to any local network in South Africa but cannot be used for International Calling and Roaming and premium rated or special number calls.
^NZ
Thank you for the email.
We have received your query regarding the call charges.
The inclusive minutes can be used for calls, including Wi-Fi Calling, to any local network in South Africa but cannot be used for International Calling and Roaming and premium rated or special number calls.
^NZ
Cell C's reply29 Aug 2022, 10:53
Official
Dear Mariechen,
Thank you for the email.
We have received your query regarding the call charges.
The inclusive minutes can be used for calls, including Wi-Fi Calling, to any local network in South Africa but cannot be used for International Calling and Roaming and premium rated or special number calls.
^NZ
Thank you for the email.
We have received your query regarding the call charges.
The inclusive minutes can be used for calls, including Wi-Fi Calling, to any local network in South Africa but cannot be used for International Calling and Roaming and premium rated or special number calls.
^NZ
MS
Mariechen S's updateReviewer Update
29 Aug 2022, 11:18Good day Cell C, I have mailed your many response on Facebook Messenger (from today and past communique) which literally contradicts your above statement. In addition it took Cell C 6 month to "resolve" this challenge as I've complaint on your FB page, messenger, been to both Clearwater and Cresta store to get the answer of "you need to roam on the Vodacom network". Only now was it declared that I cannot use my minutes to phone a 087 or 086 number as it is classified by Cell C as "special" numbers even though 087 numbers are charged at the same rate as a landline. Please explain to me what makes an 087 numbers so special beside Cell C practicing ****************. I want out of this contract and why must I be penalised if Cell C cannot deliver on standard services like MTN or VC. Yes you can use your bundle minutes to call an 087 line on these networks. Unfair is unfair and I refuse to be cheated. Shame on you! Regards, Mariechen
MS
Mariechen S's update29 Aug 2022, 11:18
Reviewer Update
Good day Cell C, I have mailed your many response on Facebook Messenger (from today and past communique) which literally contradicts your above statement. In addition it took Cell C 6 month to "resolve" this challenge as I've complaint on your FB page, messenger, been to both Clearwater and Cresta store to get the answer of "you need to roam on the Vodacom network". Only now was it declared that I cannot use my minutes to phone a 087 or 086 number as it is classified by Cell C as "special" numbers even though 087 numbers are charged at the same rate as a landline. Please explain to me what makes an 087 numbers so special beside Cell C practicing ****************. I want out of this contract and why must I be penalised if Cell C cannot deliver on standard services like MTN or VC. Yes you can use your bundle minutes to call an 087 line on these networks. Unfair is unfair and I refuse to be cheated. Shame on you! Regards, Mariechen
MS
Mariechen S's updateReviewer Update
30 Aug 2022, 08:30How are they premium rated, prove it to me. ICASA even regulated the interconnect on 087 numbers at 9c.
Why does MTN and Vodacom not "premium rate" these numbers, I phoned and confirmed with both providers that they include this as standard minute numbers. As such this is not an industry standard just a Cell C's method to generate more income on consumers that aren't savvy enough.
Giving open ended answers without showing the facts are infuriating. I can quote numerous sources just by doing a quick google search that stipulates that 087 is at the same cost as a landline. The fact that your response is "private" showcases you actively don't want consumers to catch onto the fact that your competitors are not charging their customers differently at a premium/inflated rate. Absolutely shameless behaviour.
Why does MTN and Vodacom not "premium rate" these numbers, I phoned and confirmed with both providers that they include this as standard minute numbers. As such this is not an industry standard just a Cell C's method to generate more income on consumers that aren't savvy enough.
Giving open ended answers without showing the facts are infuriating. I can quote numerous sources just by doing a quick google search that stipulates that 087 is at the same cost as a landline. The fact that your response is "private" showcases you actively don't want consumers to catch onto the fact that your competitors are not charging their customers differently at a premium/inflated rate. Absolutely shameless behaviour.
MS
Mariechen S's update30 Aug 2022, 08:30
Reviewer Update
How are they premium rated, prove it to me. ICASA even regulated the interconnect on 087 numbers at 9c.
Why does MTN and Vodacom not "premium rate" these numbers, I phoned and confirmed with both providers that they include this as standard minute numbers. As such this is not an industry standard just a Cell C's method to generate more income on consumers that aren't savvy enough.
Giving open ended answers without showing the facts are infuriating. I can quote numerous sources just by doing a quick google search that stipulates that 087 is at the same cost as a landline. The fact that your response is "private" showcases you actively don't want consumers to catch onto the fact that your competitors are not charging their customers differently at a premium/inflated rate. Absolutely shameless behaviour.
Why does MTN and Vodacom not "premium rate" these numbers, I phoned and confirmed with both providers that they include this as standard minute numbers. As such this is not an industry standard just a Cell C's method to generate more income on consumers that aren't savvy enough.
Giving open ended answers without showing the facts are infuriating. I can quote numerous sources just by doing a quick google search that stipulates that 087 is at the same cost as a landline. The fact that your response is "private" showcases you actively don't want consumers to catch onto the fact that your competitors are not charging their customers differently at a premium/inflated rate. Absolutely shameless behaviour.
Cell C's replyOfficial
30 Aug 2022, 14:55Cell C determines the retail charges to access the offnet special calls Inbound services on a commercial basis taking into account the different tariff plans that it puts in the marketplace and costs incurred to offer to its subscribers access to the such a service. In the case of the Pinnacle product, calls to special numbers are not depleted from inclusive minutes and will be billed for. On Post-paid the usage charges will be added to the customer’s bill and on TopUp these usage charges will deplete from available airtime. This provision can be found on the Cell C website.
With the change in time, Cell C is currently looking into improving on the access to these services more simpler for the benefit of the subscriber.
^NZ
With the change in time, Cell C is currently looking into improving on the access to these services more simpler for the benefit of the subscriber.
^NZ
Cell C's reply30 Aug 2022, 14:55
Official
Cell C determines the retail charges to access the offnet special calls Inbound services on a commercial basis taking into account the different tariff plans that it puts in the marketplace and costs incurred to offer to its subscribers access to the such a service. In the case of the Pinnacle product, calls to special numbers are not depleted from inclusive minutes and will be billed for. On Post-paid the usage charges will be added to the customer’s bill and on TopUp these usage charges will deplete from available airtime. This provision can be found on the Cell C website.
With the change in time, Cell C is currently looking into improving on the access to these services more simpler for the benefit of the subscriber.
^NZ
With the change in time, Cell C is currently looking into improving on the access to these services more simpler for the benefit of the subscriber.
^NZ