*********, MISLEADING, TELKOM

Telkom, Telkom, Telkom... Where do I begin? Let's start with the problem, the contract date being changed without the client being informed thereof and getting a nasty surprise when wanting to cancel or move to a different service provider, getting told that there are another 8 months remaining before the contract expires.

On the 01st December 2017, I received the very first invoice for my 10GB SmartBroadband deal, but realized a few months later, that I required more data than I had initially anticipated. I then contacted Telkom in the month of June 2018 and requested that an upward migration be done to a 20GB Smartbroadband deal, which provided over enough data at an affordable monthly fee. What the agent had not informed me was that the contract term would automatically be adjusted and effectively begin a new 24 month contract, completely disregarding the initial contract activation date of 01 December 2017.

Since I now do more work online, I decided to move to a different service provider and switch to an uncapped fibre package at a lower price, however, when I enquired regarding the upgrade eligibility date on the Telkom contract, I was informed that this would only be possible from the 20th March 2020. Not only do Telkom agents mislead clients by simply choosing to omit crucial information like this, but this also leaves you as the client, contractually obligated to an extended term contract of more than 24 months, as a strategy to ****** more money from clients who are oblivious to fancy corporate jargon, and now have no choice but to continue forking out money on something that is no longer beneficial and is costing me money, time, and causing stress.

The initial contract started on 01 December 2017, meaning that it should have reached expiry on 02 December 2019. Then Telkom still requires 30 calendar days notice be given to them for intention to cancel and thereafter, 2 months for the billing to be finalized.

I don't understand how any of these under-handed tactics can be legal, leaving so many unsuspecting clients trapped in contracts that they are unable to get out of. In my opinion, you are better off without the products and services they offer as their contracts seem to be designed to keep you in them for as long as possible.

To all clients considering their products and services, do yourself a favour and rather give your business to other, more transparent and ethical service providers, as Telkom has become another common ***** trying to ***** your money.