Online quick and easy upgrade turned into the upgrade from hell – leaving me flat broke

<p>Been with Vodacom for years and have been paying for myself as well as a family member’s phone. I have previously upgraded both phones online hustle free.</p> <p> </p> <p>This time around it is turning into a nightmare that Vodacom is making unsolvable.</p> <p> </p> <p>Prior to my upgrade, I phoned Vodacom’s customer care line asking about the available contracts. My major inquiry/ concern was that I want to choose more or less the same contract that I’ve always been on since 2008 as the contract names keep on changing. The type of contract I was looking for is one that provides free data and call minutes and as soon as the FREE STUFF RUNS OUT THE ACCOUNT STOPS and you can load more. Like the old TopUp contracts. The last thing I specifically said I DO NOT want was an “open account” contract. Especially since I pay for my family member’s phone that I DO NOT have control over!</p> <p> </p> <p>Customer care advise me to take out a Smart M contract that does the same as the old TopUP according to them. Unfortunately it doesn’t (!!!!!) and I had a ********** shock when Vodacom slammed me with a bill of more than double than what I expected and even worst bill to be paid at the end on December. My family member has “been living it up” thinking that the calls have been with free minutes.</p> <p> </p> <p>I’m now desperately trying to changes the contracts and have been send from pillar to post between different Vodacom department. I first phoned customer care that said they can’t do anything and that I should phone Upgrades. I phoned the Upgrade department and they said they can’t assist I can ONLY email ********** and they WILL assist me the same day.</p> <p> </p> <p>It’s been a day and a half and still waiting for a call……..and there is no other contact number that I can phone to follow up.</p> <p> </p> <p>So frustrated!</p> <p> </p> <p>I’m now left literately paying for Vodacom’s advice mistake and Vodacom has been of now help in assisting to solve this. I’m left with sending a little plea for help to an email address, I’m not even sure exists with no other contact details. </p> <p> </p>