ABSOLUTELY PATHETIC SERVICE - All Round!!

I wanted to take a contract out, and have been on Vodacom for years. So I started looking at all service providers, I felt MTN had the best SIM only deals available. Over 24 months I would have saved R200 per month in comparison to Vodacom. This meant I needed to port my number to MTN and then move over from pre-paid to contract thereafter. Fine no problem - I was willing to do the extra admin (3 months bank statements, payslips, proof of residence etc) to get it done but what a painful nightmare and the worst decision to move over to MTN!

Firstly trying to port took me 3 visits to 2 different stores! First to Greenstone Mall, where they confirmed it was done, 2 days later still not done, then opted for Stoneridge Mall MTN store, left there confirmed by agent it was completed, big surprise still not done, called the store and after voicing my frustration a helpful lady assisted over the phone. (I must point out this was the only lady I dealt with that actually did her job). Port complete on MTN and my phone was on pre-paid and ready to sign up for my contract.

Visited the Stoneridge store, and you know when you greet someone and just know straight away that they are just going to be a painful experience - that's exactly what I got!

Now as a customer I didn't have the deal name I just said "its a sim only deal and its got 1500min and 8GB data I think" (being not completely sure) but I know it was a R599 deal. Now as a sales representative is it not your job to correct me and show me the deals you have for R599! Instead I get a horrible attitude of note telling me, there is no such thing, I insist I saw it online and try scroll my phone to find it. My husband at this point steps in and takes a book from the counter of hers and starts searching, and he finds it. My mistake it was 4G social and 4G normal data which is still 8GB!!! But no she insists I was wrong. Fine - accepted it and handed over all my documents to begin the contract. She starts the process not making eye-contact, angry typing on her keyboard and for a good 30min stood in silence. I'm a really pleasant person so it frustrating me if someone cannot afford me the same decency. Finally she advised it was done - it was awaiting approval and it should be completed within 2 - 24 hours.

Great, left and awaited sms confirmation, she called back within 3 hours of same day stating she needed my ID card and I scanned that through to her next morning now being Sunday morning. Called just after midday on Sunday to confirm receipt - no she hasn't read her mails she will check and get back to me - doesn't get back to me. Anyway, left it being a public holiday on Monday hoping by Tuesday I will be on the contract. Tuesday my husband calls back, unfortunately she is on leave and no one else can assist, she is only back Wednesday. Firstly this is absurd because how can no one else in the entire MTN be able to help - you rely on one person only??

Wednesday morning we call back again, she states the vetting department / team is not answering their phones, she has been trying for 2 hours. She eventually calls back (first time now since the Saturday when she requested the ID card, I have been the one calling continuously to follow up), she states she cannot get hold of the vetting department and doesn't know what to do - She then states she will continue trying, I asked if she can please keep me updated (cuts the call without allowing me to finish my sentence).

She calls back Wednesday afternoon 16:54 - states the vetting team says their system is offline and cannot help. Now I'm highly ****ed off, I have kept my patience dealt with her rude tendencies and now still cannot be helped.

No manager has called back, no one senior has stepped in, I asked in every single phone call for an escalation name or number of this "vetting team". Which she doesn't have and cannot provide. I'm seriously done, I have just gotten to a point where I regret ever getting involved with such a unhelpful, rude and completely useless service provider. Its disgusting that people that work for this organisation actually feel as if they are doing me a favour!

I'm not expecting anything because if MTN valued their business, I would've gotten help, I just need to let others know to not waste their time. I will change back to a service provider that wants business - R200 extra per month I will pay any day to avoid chaos like this!!