VODACOM Cancellations Mafia - They won't let you leave.

Saturday 31st March 14:40

I called the cancellations department ( ********** ) and punched my Vodacom cellphone number in. I did not catch the name of the lady I spoke to. She indicated the Vodacom cellphone number matched my name. I explained I would like to cancel my contract. I have been on a debit order that carried over from my initial 24 month contract which concluded in May 2016. This 1GGB data I have been receiving is on a month-to-month basis. I am then SHOCKED to hear her say, there is an upgrade in process on my account, which was taken at the beginning of March from Tyger Valley Vodacom. I explained that I have taken out no such upgrade. Tyger Valley is in Cape Town, I live in Johannesburg. She said I would have to get an affidavit and perhaps other documentation, sent to them to be dealt with by the ***** department. No cancellation could go through until the ***** department had looked at it. I explained I'm about to go on an international trip and do not have time before I depart to get an affidavit. I asked to speak to the ***** department which she said they could not put me through to. I then asked for the ***** departments number. She put me on hold and after waiting a number of minutes (reading a few other customer complaints online) I figured I would be kept on hold indefinitely and probably never get the number I was looking for. I find it, oh so convenient, that after four years of no hassles and no complaints of them taking my money every month; I call for a simple cancellation, and all of a sudden a ***** issue somehow mysteriously appears on my account. I would like to get something in writing and send it to them, email being best, however there is no way to email this company. When clicking on the link to email the cancellations Department it takes you to a page that says the following: "Please note, that in line with Vodacom's aim to respond to customers' queries quicker, we have temporarily replaced the email function. To get in contact with us, please call our Customer Care on 082 111.” They only want to handle things over the phone. But the phone customer service is absolutely appalling. Except, I guess, when you want to actually sign up. I'm sure, then, they are very efficient and helpful. I am happy to pay whatever outstanding amount I legitimately owe to Vodacom based on our contract and the notice period required for a cancellation. Given the fact that I question their motives, and the legitimacy of a ***** enquiry (I believe it may be a delaying tactic, or some other prevention strategy, for the cancellation I'm trying to achieve) I intend to stop my Debit order from the bank side. I have seen others write of their stories, who have requested copies of the voice recordings when phoning Vodacom but none have been made available. I am sure that they only use those for themselves. So I would like this 'on record’ in some way for me to refer back to and the only way I can think to do it is to publish online. People also need to know the kind of company they are dealing with and hopefully others can be spared this ridiculous and unjust customer care. Vodacom, from my own experience, and what I am reading of other people's experiences, you are a disgrace and you should feel ashamed as a company. You can be sure I will make my voice heard to anyone when the topic of cell phone providers comes up in conversation.