Trying to cancel Telkom is a hellish experience

I cancelled all my services with Telkom today. I have NO contracts with the company (and remember years ago they said I can cancel at any time). Well, now they say that it is compulsory to give them 30 days cancellation notice, where I still pay 2 invoices. Why without any contracts? Really?

That is not all though. Halfway through the call before getting the reference number for my cancellation, all my lines were cut off (voice and ADSL). Had to log on (with great difficulty) onto their self-help portal.

First agent (Nokukhanya) at least gave me a cancellation number and was quite helpful. For the lines being switched off I had to talk to a not too delightful Nomachule Vaaltyn at fault reporting. I explained that I cancelled all my services, but still have to pay for it for 30 days, but there is no service. This bright spark wanted to reinstate my services and mentioned that “your services have been deleted automatically on the system; I will request service reinstated”. I emphasised that I don not want anything reinstated, I want to cancel with immediate effect. Then she said I will send a line cancellation request. Upon sending her my cancellation reference number she ends the chat with “I have sent request to reinstate service” and end the chat.

So here goes Telkom: I DO NOT WANT ANY OF YOUR SERVICES EVER AGAIN. NO REINSTATEMENT OF ANYTHING. I HAVE CANCELLED AND THAT IS IT. I WANT TO CANCEL WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT. I AM NOT PAYING FOR AN AUTOMATICALLY CUT OFF SERVICE during your (I am sure of it *******) 30 day notice period.

I am posting this on Hello Peter as part of the paper trail and also made a recording of the voice conversation that was cut off halfway. I do this because I know Telkom have difficulty letting customers go and then they receive invoices forever and a day, followed by threats of non-payment. And now we can absolutely see why.