So much for a "Top-notch experience"

<p>I took out a new contract from Cell C for an iPhone 5s which was corriered to my work place within 8 days. On receiving the phone I opened it and it slid out and fell out of the box straight to the floor. I was devasted and after realizing that the screen had cracked, even before I switched it on. Once the sim card was registered and activated (the following day) I called cell c to ask for some assistance with this cracked glass. The phone was working 100% with no issues, the only thing that was broken was the glass. They sent a corier to come and collect after a day of reporting it. I called them to find out the status after a week without any communication from cell c. I spoke to a lady in the call center who was not able to assist me and transferred me from pillar to post. I called again the following day to find out of the status of my phone, I was told that it is not possible for the glass to be repaired and I was given a quote for R9734 by Garry Baloyi as a quotation for repairing the outdated iPhone 5s. I told them I would rather close the contract and they told me that I would need to pay in R5000 in order to have the contract terminated. The phone broke on the 1st day that I received it and they fetched the phone on the 3rd day of the contract. I had not even used the phone for more than 7 days and I wanted to terminate it but they quoted me such amounts that I cannot afford. This is my first contract with cell c, the main reason I took out a contract is also because I dont have such money (R5000 or R9000) to buy a phone cash. This did not make sense to me then, I tried to negotiate with them and they just did not see any other way they could help me. Since this is a contract phone I am also not allowed to take it to a private repair shop because it is under warranty and I would void that warranty it I take it to be repaired myself. They eventually debited the first contract fee, while the phone was with them and I had no phone since around late July up until yesterday when I eventually asked them to return it since I realised that I will be paying for nothing. Now I even had a lock code after setting it up on the first day which I have now forgotten, and I litteraly tried everthing to unlock it and no luck, this was also caused by the delay in resolving my issue. It seems like this was a terrible coincidence but somehow I know that cell c is not bothered, as long as they are getting their money at the end of the day. The phone is now lying at home because I cant even accesss it. I am sure it will cost me money to go and have it unlocked for me and I will probably loose the warranty simply because of Cell C's "internal culture of customer care to ensure that customers are always assured of a top-notch experience"</p>