*********** South African company

<p>Starting the 4th of June my wife and I went to the Canal Walk branch to get two of the same Vodacom contracts including an iPhone model that isnt available at Vodacom. We chose this branch as it apparently has the least bad reputation for bad istore service. This store has no seating and after about 50minutes of waiting to get my 37 week pregnant wife's contract sorted, a lady in her mid 40's walks in (healthy, slightly chubby and of another race) and immediately gets a chair from the back office. </p> <p> </p> <p>A few minutes later the only guy able to help us with the vodacom contracts states that her contract will be 25% more expensive. The website didnt state that the cost is specific to either new or renewal contracts. Tough luck was the bottom line.</p> <p> </p> <p>After an hour my wife leaves the shop with the phone she wanted but with an more affordable contract. ( Tired and *****d off)</p> <p> </p> <p>My turn. I spend another hour to get my phone and contract sorted, For some bizarre reason I can get the contract exactly as it is on the website, my wife cant, makes no sense but ok, lets get this done. In the end the guy states that there is an issue and he cannot process my order with vodacom and need to come back later. He also said that i can email him with any requests via the email address he used on my phone to forward payslips, proof of address etc. to check the status of the issue.</p> <p> </p> <p>We decide to go home and try again the 5th. I leave the next morning sending him an email as a reminder that im on my way to collect the phone. (Everytime a 50km round trip) Got there, another hour went by and left the shop again empty handed. Thought id give it a week as its more than enough time to resolve any system issues and im not in that big of a hurry. Emailed him again two days later as a reminder to check if the issues has been resolved bit no reply. Just for the record I am using the correct email address as he confirmed in store that he received the forwarded paperwork. </p> <p> </p> <p>I went to the shop on the 12th again reminding the guy that im on my way to collect the phone via email. I get there and he assures me it will be sorted that day as vodacom was there the previous friday to sort this specific issue for quite a few customers. Another hour passed in store and still the issue remains. The guy thats been helping me all this time (Mansur Benhalie) states that there must be something wrong with my number (which ive had for 16 years) and that i can get the phone on a new contract. Alternatively i can wait till the issue is resolved. I leave the store again empty handed. Emailed him twice in the meantime, once as a reminder and once just begging for a reply as he hasnt rep**** to any email since the whole thing started.</p> <p> </p> <p>I called the 021 and 087 number 37 times the last 10 days in total trying to get hold of anyone in either sales, support or istore card, the phone cuts off everytime.</p> <p> </p> <p>I love my Apple products but the iStore is the the worst company in South Africa I've come across in all my years. Id rather deal with Telkom on any given day. Without swearing pathetic is the best description I can think of for this company. Way to go iStore South Africa for confirming with international travelers the junk status of this country. You fit right into that category.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p>