Dishonest sales practices

In July 2018 a call centre agent from Vodacom Online phoned me to try upgrade my contract, at that point I was not interested in upgrading (or receiving a new handset) so the call centre agent said they can put me on a SIM only contract which I was happy with. However he did not tell me I would be locked in, and I even asked if I would like to upgrade my handset at a later point would I be able to do that, which he assured me I could do. In January 2020 I tried to upgrade to a new handset and I have been told I can only now get a new handset in 2021, I am also unable to even upgrade my contract or anything. SO every month I am paying and locked into a contract where I am paying a month to month service but they will not release me from even though there is no physical product that I am paying off. Since the 9th January I have been trying to fight this and I have requested the recording of the call, Debbie from Vodacom Online is the only person who can access these calls. After 2 weeks of trying to get hold of her I eventually made contact (Monday 20th January at 11:00am) and she told me that she would send the recording to the Rosebank Mall Vodacom shop. I gave her more than 24 hours to send it and I went to the Vodacom Shop in Rosebank Mall and spoke to the store manager Cindy, who has not received the recording.

I have requested numerous times for some sort of reference number so that I can open a case with the ombudsman but Vodacom is unable to give me any reference numbers. I have tried phoning Vodacom's legal department and have also received no responses from their legal department.

I have now exhausted all reasonable avenues with Vodacom and would really appreciate some information and closure on this. If I have been sold something that I have not agreed to (or ******* in to buying) then I am well within my rights as a consumer to cancel the 'contract' and terminate any relations with Vodacom.