*********!

I was behind on my TV licence. Hahn Collections sent me SMSes in the beginning of the year, advising that I only need to pay a discounted amount of R530 in order to settle my TV licence account. I still spoke to one of the consultants over the phone and advised her that when I log into my TV licence online, it gives me a higher amount. I asked her what I must do. She said I must just override the amount with the discounted amount of R530 and that they will pick it up on their side and close my TV licence account. I then paid this R530 on the 21st of April. Thereafter, I continued to get SMSes advising that I have an outstanding balance and that I can pay a discounted amount of R530. On the 17th of May at 14:20 I called Hahn Collections and I was advised that my payment was received and the file will be closed by them. Then, on the 8th of July (2 and a half months after we settled this), we purchased a new TV from Makro and the sales guy advised me that I am owing on my TV licence. I told him this is impossible as I paid the settlement amount. I couldn't find a settlement letter from Hahn Collections, so eventually we ended up paying R1060 for the TV licence at Makro. Today, I called Hahn Collections and spoke to Itumeleng. I advised him that I have a credit and I need to be refunded. He said that I need to speak to the SABC directly regarding refunds and that he confirms my account is settled in full and that he will forward me a zero balance statement. He said it would take about 20min for me to receive the statement. It is now one hour later and I still haven't received my statement. My problem comes in here: I called the SABC and spoke to Nicole. She said the SABC does not do refunds when one pays the full outstanding amount, and that Hahn Collections was supposed to have advised me that I need to call the SABC two weeks after payment was made in April, so that SABC can update their system. Nicole said I need to speak to Hahn Collections regarding a refund. I find this completely unacceptable! None of the consultants I had spoken to PRIOR to settling the discount amount, or on the 17th of May AFTER I had paid, had bothered telling me to contact the SABC! Everyone is struggling financially! No one can afford to throw away R1060 in today's life! I want a full refund of the R1060 I over paid on this account. Failure of which, I will consult with my attorney and get her involved. This is *********! How can your staff not tell me about this? I will not write off this R1060 that I overpaid. I demand a refund. To make matters worse, after I had spoken to SABC, I called Hahn Collections regarding my refund, and ended up speaking to Itumeleng again. He put the phone down in my ear when he heard I want a refund. You have non existent customer service.