My PLIGHT with Vodacom

Myself and my son have been Vodacom users for many years now. However, despite being long time customers, we have had the most unpleasant service and treatment from Vodacom. Allow me to provide further detail.

For several years now, we have complained about cellphone reception. I have a top up contract, while my son has a business contract (with a modern phone, so we know its not the devices). We have lodged multiple complaints via Vodacom's website, and received calls from Vodacom saying that they are planning to improve the service. That was 3 years ago.

The signal has now deteriorated to the state, where we cannot receive phone calls or text messages in our own home. Instead, we need to stand in the street to actually have a single bar of signal... (imagine how online shopping and banking goes when your OTP is only available in the street)

In addition to our cellphone contracts, we use a wireless card system for our home business. This also relies on Vodacom signal. Lately, the signal has deteriorated so much so, that its beginning to affect our business, with customers not being able to pay with their cards on certain days.

After multiple phone calls, and hours of waiting and holding, we had the most unpleasant feedback and attitude towards our plight.

How our initial conversations started with Vodacom: They told us they were going to be installing another tower nearby within the next six months. It has been 2 years since THAT conversation. We subsequently found out that their "tower installation"was overruled by the complex they were planning to build it in. We received no feedback directly from Vodacom on this, we asked directly with the trustees of the body operate, of the complex in question.

Following that, we asked some of our family friends and colleagues if they had experienced anything like this before. One of friends informed us that Vodacom came and installed a signal booster in their home, due to poor reception.

FINALLY, after hearing there might be some hope for our deteriorating situation, we contacted Vodacom and asked if they would be willing to do the same for us. The response we received, was that they no longer offer that service, UNLESS it is a corporate business.

Feeling close to our wits end, we asked Vodacom what futher options we had available to us. Their response was that they had nothing else they could do for us, suggested we spend R15K on our own private signal boosters, or that we should simply consider SWITCHING service providers.

I dont know how you feel about this, but personally I am disgusted and mortified with the service we have received. What company willing turns PAYING LONG TERM CUSTOMERS away, with such an APATHETIC attitude.

Rough calculations, over the past few years, we have spent over R40,000.00 in contracts and more than 5 years with this company.

To put the cherry on the cake, we recently found out that Vodacom pushed Vumatel out of our area, and installed exclusive fibre lines/network in our neighborhood. So, should we wish to have fibre, we are FORCED to exlusively use Vodacom. Its almost like they are spitting in our face.

So tell me, what do we do.

One of the million reference numbers: *** (which by the way, the send to you via sms - ironic because I had to leave my home to receive it)

PS: - Vodacom, if you try contact me directly, don't be surprised if I don't answer. Its just your bad reception sending you straight to voicemail (which I cant check because I don't have signal)