Eight brands for caller identification

On Tuesday the 27th of November 2018 I called Vodacom in order to change my prepaid number to a contract. I had spotted a nice looking phone that I thought would suit me well.

The rates were fantastic. And since I had been with Vodacom since 2005, I was pleased to get approved.

The phone was delivered on Friday the 30th of November. Over the weekend I noticed that every call I received had the caller ID hidden. Even numbers of people who call me almost every day. Every call just reflected "Unknown".

This came to a head on Tuesday the 4th of December 2018 when a friend who had been hospitalised kept trying to call me but I missed the calls. I could not call back as all the calls had no ID.

I received an sms in the afternoon alerting me of the hospitalisation.

Later, I called Vodacom and was told that I need to pay between R8.50 and R10 over and above my monthly premium in order to have the caller ID activated.

I mean really?!?!?! Pay R8 more so I can return missed calls?!?!?!?!?!

How us that right??

I cancelled the contract. Not because I could not afford it. But because I felt I am being ********.

The amount is not the issue. But first, I could have been told upfront. And second, why should I pay for something I got free whilst on prepaid?

It does not make sense and I am disappointed with Vodacom.

And to learn that many other customers are putting up with such is horrifying.

As for me... no thanks.