100 Problems in 3 weeks

<p>I was on prepaid for many years, then converted my number to contract UChoose flexi 200 on Friday 22 July. They told me it would be activated latest on the Saturday. On Sunday night I noticed I have no data, no airtime.</p> <p> </p> <p>I went to the store on Sunday morning and they told me that there was a mistake and that I was activated on the incorrect contract (one with minutes and not a UChoose). They put through a cancel request and told me that within that morning I would be put back on prepaid and then the UChoose contract that I signed for would be activated around Tuesday/Wednesday 26 or 27 July. This did not happen and I still had no data and no airtime. I couldn't even buy prepaid airtime as I was no longer on prepaid.</p> <p> </p> <p>There was no communication from the branch I used and I had to keep phoning the branch myself to get updates. Was told numerous times that the problem would be solved “in the next 3 hours”. I asked to speak to whoever was activating the contract directly but the branch wouldn't give me the number. Also did not receive a reference number from them. </p> <p> </p> <p>Eventually the contract was activated on 28 July, only for me to be disconnected from the network a few days later. The additional data only line I have on my profile was also cut off. When I called in to customer care I was told that I was one of the clients that had been put onto some new system of theirs and this system required a credit limit to be set on my account (eventhough I am on a UChoose??). When I asked for this then to be set they told me that they wouldn't be set as I owed R1000 and I had to pay this first. I contacted my branch and it turns out that the there were activation charges for the initial incorrect contract, as well as multiple other double charges on my account. The branch then was able to get me reconnected to Vodacom and told me the charges would be reversed. </p> <p> </p> <p>So all seemed to be fine and everyone is quite happy...until 2 days later when I was disconnected again! My problems I am still experiencing and which apprently have to be addressed by multiple departments which makes it even worse.</p> <p><strong>1. I have now been disconnected from the network 5 times in the past wee****</strong> Today I was told by a Vodacom consultant at the branch to go on hellopeter and review the hell out of Vodacom, because when she enquired from Vodacom on a solution to the problem the answer she got was "we are working on it". When she suggested that customers be given a prepaid sim in the meantime, they told her they were not willing to do this.</p> <p><strong>2. I still have a sim card charge on my account but I already had my own sim!!! </strong>I have asked for this to be removed numerous times and still no resolution from the branch or customer care.</p> <p><strong>3. My contract was activated only on 28 July but I was charged for a full R200 airtime for July and again for another R200 airtime on 1 August. </strong> I have also asked for this to be reversed and keep being told I am being charged pro-rata for July. I have also tried to explain to the consultant how to perform a pro-rata calculation. and seeing as my total airtime for a month is R200, charging me R200 for July is not pro-rata.</p> <p><strong>4. I probably now have a mark on my previously squeaky clean credit record because of incorrect charges in July that kept showing as overdue on my account. </strong>I have even paid the portion they say I am overdue on to be able to have a credit limit set and reconnected, eventhough I don't owe then any overdue amounts, and I was still disconnected twice after that!</p> <p> </p> <p>Conclusion: I have no idea when I will be reconnected and people will actually be able to reach me on my number. I have threatened to cancel my contract but with their stupid "new system" (which clearly nobody tested before it was implemented), it will probably take another 3 weeks to get my number back to be able to port it to another network. This absolutely unacceptable service and unfair that the client has to feel like somebody has literally tied their hands. When this ordeal has passed I wish that I would never have to hear the word Vodacom or see their infuriating logo again!</p> <p> </p>