Beware the Bounce

During the festive season I had a problem with a transfer of funds into my banking account with the result that my telephone account debit order was unfortunately returned. I received an immediate sms from Telkom and on the very next working day, went to pay the account in cash (at CNA because the Telkom outlets don't accept cash!). Imagine my surprise when at the end of January, my debit order went off for more than double my monthly bill. I phoned Telkom to find out why my cash payment did not reflect and what the additional R190 in service fee on my account was for. I was told that the account closed off the day before I made the cash deposit so the debit order could not be adjusted. What? 21 days is not enough time to change a debit order instruction? Account closed off on 4th, payment made on 5th, debit order deducted on 26th!<br> Upon querying the R190 service fee I was shocked to be told that this is the standard fee for a debit order being returned. UNBELIEVABLE!! How do they warrant a R190 charge? What loss have they suffered? It is little wonder less and less people are opting for landlines. I think Telkom need to take a serious look at their pricing structures.