Vodacom are ****** - DO NOT USE THEM

We shall see. I have heard that before from Vodacom.
If I do not hear back within 48 hours (ie the time I have been given to decide) I will continue with my complaint, and I will find a way to escalate.

Your "team" is only in contact because I called them.
When I questioned how it was possible to receive the sms with the quote 5 minutes BEFORE the technician requested the pin code to access the device - there was a stunned silence. How is it possible to accurately complete a quote without even being able to access the device?
After which the technician told me "I phone 11 DO NOT GET REPAIRED - EVER FOR MALFUNCTIONING ELECTRONICS - THEY ARE ALL REPLACED"
This statement bothered me even further for 2 reasons.
First, I then questioned why then it was necessary to even send it in for a quote if ALL electronically malfunctioning I phone 11's are replaced, and why did it take since the 11th December and me having to go into the store to follow up three times, with the phone returned once without being even looked at, to get an answer?
A replacement I phone 11 will be a standard price, it does not require a quote, or require being sent to the technicians? why wasn't this practice explained to me from the get go? the store technician confirmed it was electronically malfunctioning when I originally took it in.
Secondly, if VODACOM has a policy of replacing ALL malfunctioning I phone 11's, then this strongly suggests that this model is a problematic one, in which case they should have been recalled, not cost passed over to loyal clients. For a R19,000 item to NOT LAST even the contract period is disgraceful.

Additionally
I have just found an article where Apple CONFIRMS issues with screens on I phone 11's EXACTLY the same as the issues I have.
I find it hard to believe that VODACOM would NOT have known about this. So why are you trying to charge me R11,500???
I am happy to send you the link if you require.
What a disgrace.

It is now 24 hrs without any response to my most recent query regarding my I phone 11 that has a malfunctioning screen.
Please see below article I mentioned previously; bearing in mind that my phone falls within this period. Regardless, the issues I have, were announced over a year ago, and I for one, as a customer, was NOT warned of this possible fault.
Apple launches repair program for iPhone 11 display with touch issues
- Dec. 4th 2020 3:39 pm PT

Apple today announced a new repair program for iPhone 11. According to the company, some iPhone 11 users may be experiencing problems in which the display stops responding to touch.
As reported by Apple, a small percentage of iPhone 11 models manufactured between November 2019 and May 2020 were affected by this problem. The company says the issue is related to a failure in the display module, which needs to be replaced in order to get the phone working properly again.The replacement program is exclusive to the regular iPhone 11 model and does not apply to the iPhone 11 Pro or iPhone 11 Pro Max.Apple has determined that a small percentage of iPhone 11 displays may stop responding to touch due to an issue with the display module. Affected devices were manufactured between November 2019 and May 2020.Users can check the Apple Support website to find out if their iPhone 11 is eligible for the replacement program using its serial number. If your iPhone is eligible for the program, you should contact Apple to take them to an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. Apple will replace the affected iPhone 11 for free. The repair program covers affected iPhone 11 models for two years after the first retail sale of the unit. Apple may refuse free technical support for devices with physical damages.

The link to this article:

https://9to5mac.com/2020/12/04/apple-launches-recall-program-for-iphone-11-display-with-touch-issues/


Lets not forget this is a R19,000 phone!!! it is not small change.

I want a swift and decisive response, together with the other issues I have raised, ie:

Taken in on 11 December - told 7 to 10 working days for an answer
9 January I visited the store for the second time for feedback, a month later, not 7 to 10 working days. The phone had been returned - without telling me. Paperwork attached read adjustment to screen. When switched on, the issue was the exact same. Why?
Was sent back to the technical dept on 11 January. VODACOM technicians were the last people to touch the phone, how do I know that they made an issue worse, now trying to push this onto me?
On the 13 January I was sent a quote to repair for a ridiculous R11,500 via sms.
Minutes AFTER this a technician called asking for password to unlock the devise. How could an accurate quote be made BEFORE the phone was unlocked?
I questioned this, where the technician told me that I phone 11 with this issue are not repaired. They are ALL REPLACED. So why did it need to go to them? why a month of waiting? this indicates they are a problem, as VODACOM has a protocol to replace not repair this issue.
I then found the attached article regarding I phone 11 experiencing issues, the same as I had experienced. This had been known for over 12 months. Why were they not recalled or why was I not warned this could be an issue? If I had I would either chosen another phone, or had a very different view on insurance options.
A R19,000 devise that malfunctions due to manufacturer issues in little over 1 year is OUTRAGEOUS. To be not told makes this even worse.

I await a response as a case of urgency

No, actually your team did not make contact with me. They chose to use the secondary number supp****, my wife. I had no calls, missed calls or messages. ***ards!

The questions previously raised STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ANSWERED, and I will keep on until they are. Additionally I will be messaging Mr Shameel Joosub Group CEO at Vodacom, City of Johannesburg, this message, unless I receive satisfactory answers that do not contradict themselves or suggest I am foolish enough to believe the ******* the Vodacom staff think I will believe. I'm sure it will interest him, as well as annoy him tremendously to be messaged on LinkedIn. I will also publish on Twitter and Facebook.
I still await answers to the following:

1. Why did VODACOM INSIST that "find my phone" be disabled? What are they hiding?
2. Why was the phone returned from technicians the first time with "adjustments made" in the comments on the paperwork - where in fact it was still the exact same issue occurring.
3. Why on the second attempt was a quote sms'd to me FOLLOWED by a call for the pin to access the devise? How could an accurate quote be made without accessing the devise?
4. Why then was I told that I phone 11's with this issue are REPLACED not repaired? This a) contradicts the first feedback from technicians, b) if the case, why did it require sending in at all for a "quote" surely a replacement is a fixed cost c) please refer to point 2 and explain.
5. Why was the fact that I phone 11's had been reported by APPLE as having the exact issue as I experienced NOT explained to me when I took the phone? it would have certainly made a difference on either choosing it or the extended rip-off of insurance policy. This is deliberately deceiving customers
6. I was quoted R11,500 for, what can only be assumed by previous confirmation from the technicians, for a replacement. The phone cost R19,000 - So can you confirm then that VODACOM works on a +/-40% MARKUP on their phones? That is purely greed? You are already one of the worlds most expensive data providers.
7. I have been without this phone since handing it in on 10 December 21. The ridiculous quote only arrived to me 13 January 22, where I was originally told 7 - 10 working days. Unacceptable as well as a total disregard to customer service. No one in that store cared less that none of the criteria was met.

What disgusts me most is the total BS that customers like me are given. Inconsistent answers, contradictory statements - without even trying to hide this. The un-professionalism is mind blowing. I am not alone in noticing this - is VODACOM so arrogant to believe none of this will matter to them? The wheel will turn very quickly, that I am sure.

I have no problem posting negatively weekly on every social media platform available until I have answers that make sense, do not change every time I ask them and fairness can prevail. I have over 3000 connections on LinkedIn, many local business owners who will be interested to hear about this, as I am aware of many who are also struggling with Vodacom as a reliable service provider. MTN or Telcom looks more appealing daily.

Please contact ME not my wife. I will wait until the end of the week before messaging publicly to the VODACOM CEO on LinkedIn as mentioned earlier as well as the other platforms.