Telkom... thou art something

<p>On 28 Jul I went to the Telkom Shop at Bayside to enquire about a Cellphone Contract - and was told they could assist immediately. As my existing contract with another provider had expired, I didn't expect any issues, as I was informed that it would take 48 hours to move my existing number to Telkom. I queried taking out a contract so close to the end of the month, but was assured any costs would be 'small' and pro rata. Today is 11 August, and the saga's just don't stop:</p> <p><br />1. My bill has already arrived from Telkom, clearly charging me the FULL month of July for the phone... I phoned about this and was told that's the way they work. I also queried at Bayside, and was told the same thing, and that the staff member (Matthew) who originally helped me should have explained this - but he is on contract and 'may need more training'!</p> <p>2. There was a 4 day delay in trying to "Port" the number to my new Telkom contract, partly due to an issue with the old provider (thank's to Hello Peter, got this sorted out). Telkom had to try to do the 'port' again, which happened on Monday 08 August.</p> <p>So far then, been billed for something that I wasn't expecting, and still no use of the new contract.</p> <p>3. 9 August, I noticed that I wasn't receiving any OTP's when trying to do on-line banking.. I tried calling my own number from my land-line to be told "the number you dialled does not exist". I tried calling Telkom from the new cell phone only to be told 'not registered on network'</p> <p>4. I went BACK to Telkom Bayside, where they did a Sim swap from the 'new' sim card to a newer sim card, and amazing - my old number can now receive SMS's and Calls from TELKOM CELL NUMBERS ONLY. On the land-line, (even Telkom) it still says "this number does not exist'. Thinking that the bulk of the problem was fixed I went home - only to realise that my number (which I have had at least 14 years) cannot received ANYTHING not coming from Telkom - so back to the store I went (I tried call Telkom Mobile, and cut off). 2 faults logged and STILL NO SERVICE.</p> <p>5. I know that there is a time delay, but one cannot function without a working Cell Phone. I have just spent 13 minutes (not bad) on the Phone to Telkom (again) spoke to 3 different people.. in the hope things can be resolved. 10 Aug - I can now get calls from land-lines (Telkom)</p> <p>It's been a nightmare... don't deal with Contract Staff at Telkom, ASK questions, and still expect issues.<br />Here's hoping problems solved today - or else I may have to take Legal Recourse - THEY HAVE NOT KEPT TO THEIR SIDE OF THE CONTRACT AT ALL</p>