Are you really a Telkom company

<p>Around 21/22 July 2016, I went to Telkom store at Festival Mall looking for a new contract in order to replace my work handset from MTN, that way I could back up the data before month end. The nice lady advised me to bring only my ID and proof of address as I have 2 existing contracts with Telkom. One almost 2 years and another less than a year. Pity they didn’t have any handset I was looking for.</p> <p>Monday 25 July, I went to Greenstone as it is on my way home from work. Was told my documents are insufficient and will need to bring a recent payslip and 3 months bank statement. I inquired about keeping my prepaid number – I was told it is possible.</p> <p>Wed 27 July, I then went with all documents and the contract was taken to the back office for Verification and was told it could take three days. I inquired about my existing prepaid data, if I will be able to carry it over if I’m moving my prepaid number. I was advised by Lebogang that I need to exhaust my data first before my number is moved to contract.</p> <p>Lebogang gave me his email address and promised to provide me with a status of the verification. I sent an email to him, even today – still no response or acknowledgement.</p> <p>Friday 27 July, I received a sms from Telkom about my case being resolved.</p> <p>Monday 01 Aug, I went to the store to collect my handset. I was assisted by another guy, I think Molefe, who I also asked if I can finish of my 2GB data first before moving my number. He confirmed that I can do that, and I must call Customer service, once my data is depleted.</p> <p>Tuesday 02 Aug, I called Customer Care and was taken to the porting division. The lady indicated that the Porting division has knocked off work and I must call again the following day.</p> <p>Wed 03 Aug, I called and was told that for my number to be moved, it should be done in store. So they referred me back to Greenstone.</p> <p>Thurs 4 Aug, I went in-store, assisted by another lady, who advised that my request is not possible unless I port my number. Which I gave the Go-ahead. Notified that it should change in about 24 hrs.</p> <p>Sat 6 Aug, I went back in-store. Another Guy and Lebogang helped me. I was also suggested to use my old number together with the new number as the phone is a dual sim, which I indicated that my initial request was not for a new number. I was then told that my query has been sent to the back office and Lebogang will contact me once my number move is approved. I asked the guy to rather be the one calling as Lebogang has failed to do so before. He promised to contact me in about three days.</p> <p>Thu/Fri 11/12 Aug, I went back to the store. I was told system is offline and they cannot assist me. The guy who was supposed to call me on leave.</p> <p>Tue 16 Aug, Another trip to the store, same lady who helped me on 4 Aug, tries to port it. I received a Port-in validation pin. She advised that my other phone where I’m temporarily housing the prepaid sim will lose network, and from then the contract sim would have assumed the prepaid number.</p> <p>Thu 18 Aug, I contacted customer services to check if the port has been actioned. I was advised there is no such request on my number and advised that it might be because the number change takes a while. As I’m writing this on 23 Aug, number has not changed.</p> <p> </p> <p>All I wanted was just to take my old prepaid number and move it to a contract. I’m now having a prepaid phone that I cannot use, as I cannot buy data or airtime for it.</p> <p>How hard is it, to move a number from is prepaid to contract in 2016? Why was I informed that it’s possible - but cannot be done? Why am I forced to use a new number which I don’t want? How do you justify being inconvenienced for almost a month? How many times should I go to the store without assistance? What’s the point of having your stores or Customer services? Will my request ever be completed?</p> <p> </p>