Rica only done at MTN stores - waste of time

I bought two prepaid sims from PEP Cell, they rica'd it instore for me. When I get home both sims are inactive, cannot even call the contact center with it it. When I used another phone to call them, the consultant said the sims are not rica'd and I must go back to the MTN store and rica it, her tone was also very rude. So whats the point of all these other stores selling sim cards and requesting your details to 'rica' it when it doesn't work anyway???? MTN must stop wasting customers time and money. Dont let other stores sell your sim cards if only your stores can rica it!