Vodacom Customer Don't Care

I have recently experienced the ridiculously bad customer service Vodacom is so infamous for.

I know I should have just left and gone to MTN or Cell C, but expected at least SOME customer service to a long-time customer.

The first thing that should have warned me was what happened during Black Friday.

I app**** for one of their deal, which had many still remaining, and received an email that told me someone will be in contact to finalize the deal. I was not called, and it being Black friday I let it slide assuming they would be way too busy for basic admin.

After 5 days and no contact I took it upon myself to contact them about it and after being bounced around for 40 minutes I was told that it was never processed and as such I lost the deal. Apparently they wanted me to call THEM to confirm, which I would have been happy to do if anything suggested it was necessary.

After this, I tried to upgrade my contract (which is VodaCom's bread and butter). This time the call came through and the process was initiated immediately, with delivery of the new handset to happen within 7 working days.

7 Working days later I called them again, after being transferred to 5 different branches of Vodacom I was told that the upgrade is in place and the device is marked for pick-up. Upon requesting an estimated delivery date I was told there is some issue that Vodacom hasn't paid the delivery company yet, but I should expect it within (AGAIN) 7 working days.

7 Working days later I called again... After being hung up on 4 times, I was transferred to the upgrade department as they are apparently the only people who can update me on the progress. I was on hold for 15 minutes before the line cut out and I called again, going through the same ridiculous process (which takes about 15 minutes including all the ads you have to sit through) to try and contact the department again. I have now been on hold for "the next available consultant" for 55 minutes.

Now, its Christmas and I do understand that many people shirk their duties around these times and call center's don't like picking up the phone, but if I had known I would have to wait months for anything to happen I would have just gone with another supplier.

I have spoken to many people on other service providers and the only one that seems to be worse is Telkom.