*********** vodacom

Hi Guys

I am an existing vodacom client.

I had financial difficulties so my credit score declined recently but I have managed to pay of my debts including my vodacom account which was in arrears. I was due for an upgrade this morning, so I called the vodacom upgrade department. I initially wanted a Samsung a34 5g and I was told I did not qualify for the device and was given the reason which made sense.

I was told a decent phone that I qualified for is a Samsung a34 and some Oppo. So I incurred about the A24. I asked the ram size, and the consulted helping me said the storage is 128gb so the Ram is 6gb and asked also if it is 5g then she said it is a new model phone recently released, so it is 5g. Then she told me I could get it for R299 a month for 6 months. I asked if it has no cheaper package she said that is what I qualified for. So I decided to take it. So I told her I will pick it up by vodacom Menlyn then all was good. I was happy for the service I received.

During the course of the day. I went into the Vodacom online website only to find the same phone as I was approved for going for R249 a month with a discount of R20 a month, it was going for R229.. Saving 70 rand a month for 36 months is quite a lot this days. So I decided to call in again and enquire about this promotion. I spoke to a second consulted, And the consulted advices me the price difference is due to the contract type, one is top up and the cheaper one you may not top up, the billing is automated on your contract, you may not recharge. So it made sense. But the price plan of the promotion is red core 600mb 50 min top with. I think that is a top up. I also asked the consulted about the device being a 5g and he said I must ask for the A24 5g in Menlyn and I must double check if it is 5g. I was a little bit sceptical at this point and explained my reason for wanting a 5g device.

So when I knocked off I headed to Menlyn. I stood at the queen as they were other customers. After a while I decided to ask the one of the employee about the A24 5g and explained my reason for being there. The employee brought the device and to my disbelief it was not a 5g device and the ram was 4gb. I informed the consulted to take back the device as I am going to call vodacom upgrade department. I spoke to the third consulted who I told that the device is not 5g and also enquired to him about the price difference from what I am getting to what the price is online. He explained the difference in prices is caused by my credit rating. and on the 5g issue he said he will instruct the lady who initially helped me to give me a call in the morning. I instructed him to cancelled the contract and maybe my credit score will improve in the 3 months time so I can be eligible for promotions or better deals

R300 * 36 EQUALS R10,.800 For a device which is R4500. And 600mb and 50min monthly I have a vodacom contract and never has a device price to a total payment ratio being this high, considering the package which is 600mb 50 min. Vodacom has always been the best compared to other mobiles in South Africa in terms of their contact packages.

The first consulted clearly stated A24 5g and A24 are the same phone. Which makes no sense to me. Is it lack of product knowledge or lack of ethics. Better be lack of product knowledge because how many of vodacom clients actually buy what they do not know. I am a bit fortunate to have a bit of knowledge on electronics or I would be a victim.

I am still confused on why I did not qualify for the R229 promotion, is it due my credit record or the promotion is not for top up plan as I received two different explanation from 2 different consulted.

I am pretty disappointed on the clear explanation which vodacom employees give out. It is hard to figure out what they are saying to you as also they seem to not know about what they are talking about. For a big company like Vodacom to be so *********** is actually disappointing and I hope they can improve their service and training which is given to their employees. But what saddens me most is my 2 hours of time wasted travelling to Menlyn wasted. I could have used my time on better things. All of this could have been avoiding iif clear communication given to me from the beginning.