They won't respond. But I need to vent.

So much for Multichoice’s continued efforts over recent years to get subscribers to move to the Explora decoder and more recently to lock in its dwindling Premium users. I was at last tempted to accept MC’s “March madness” two year “price lock” deal, which included an Explora, 80 cm dish and Smart LNB, and installation.

After committing to the deal before the deadline, I scheduled an installer (as required) to install 25th April (tomorrow), soon before my existing yearly subscription expired. Then in early April I jumped through all the hoops required to be allowed to have a debit order. (This after being a subscriber for decades, owning my own home where DStv is installed, and paying a lump sum yearly. But I suppose this is to some extent understandable as standard procedure.) There was initial concern that the installation was over three weeks away, despite my explanation of the reason. The MC staffer had to come back to me after getting clearance for that.

But then my real problems began. I was told that the agreement was complete and that MC would deliver the Explora to me within a few days. (The installer to provide the other equipment and cabling.) After more than a week, I started chasing. Which evolved into it always being “escalated”. (How MC loves that word!) It was only yesterday, less than two days before the scheduled installation that I managed to speak to “Management”. That was Ms Norma Nongauza. (I had the foresight to ask for her surname. Nobody at that business uses a surname.) After more than an hour of investigation, she called me back to admit that the deal “was not completed” (by MC, not me!) and that the “escalations” had also been going to the wrong place! It was then after 5, and I was assured that I‘d get a call “first thing” the next morning to arrange to get the Explora to me the same day so that it could be installed as scheduled.

“First thing’ for MC is 9 am. Almost an hour later, no call yet. I called MC, in an attempt to speak to Ms Norma again. I was told that she would be sent an email. (Of course MC does not allow me to have her address. Nor any direct phone number.) It is now afternoon. I am about to cancel the installation, and in a couple of days I’ll renew my yearly subscription as usual. The deal is cancelled, MC not having adhered to it.