Sold under false pretext and POPI act

Looks like companies will do anything to sell you a ***** deal.

I was contacted, which I thought was MTN, as I have been an MTN client for about 23 years, 24 March 2023. The lady on the phone pointed out, that I top up my bundle at least 3-4 times a month, which is costing me around R280. This was correct. She then proceeded to tell me, that they have a fantastic deal on at the moment. For an extra R248.99 a month, I will have access to an extra 30GB. Fantastic I thought. That would make more sense as I would have more available data and pay more or less the same. I was made aware that the deal comes with a router. This made me think. I told the lady that I have a router at home and access to unlimited data at home, as well as at work. She insisted that this deal is good for me and just what I needed. Again, I told her that I have access to unlimited data at home and at work and that I do not need another router at home. Again, she insisted that this deal was perfect for me. Having confirmed that I do not need a router at home or at work, I proceeded to accept the deal, thinking the router was just an add-on that came with the special. Ironically, I found out later, the deal is called “MTN MADE FOR HOME”. The router arrived. On closer inspection, with a new sim card. All alarm bells went off. I checked my data on the phone and of course, no data had been loaded on my phone. The whole deal only works through the router, which I explicitly said I don’t need. I went to my closest MTN store with the router to tell them that they need to cancel this deal immediately because it was sold to me under the wrong pretext. 3 MTN stores later, a lady could finally assist me and I got some more information. It was not MTN that sold me the deal, but REWARDSCO. The lady at MTN gave contact details for REWARDSCO and I phoned them. What a nightmare. Obviously, no one was willing to hear my story. I insisted that they listen to the recording, which apparently, they did and found that I had no case. I asked them to send me the recording, which, surprise, they told me they couldn’t do. I wonder why. I insisted to speak to a manager. They gave me a case number and said that someone would contact me…. I’m still waiting. Firstly, Asanda Makhathini, the lady who sold me this deal, I don’t know if REWARDSCO insists that you as a salesperson tell lies to customers or if you did it on your own account, but the way you deceived me is disgusting and dishonest. Secondly, I would like to know how MTN is allowed to disclose all my personal details and info to REWARDSCO. What happened to the popi act? And finally, REWARDSCO, your client service is shocking, and you obviously have no scruples *****ing people over.