VODACOM LIE AND DECEIVE PEOPLE INTO CONTRACTS

My first ever experience with Vodacom has been very disappointing to say the least.

On Saturday 2023-04-01 I went to the Vodacom shop at Cape Gate, Brackenfell. At the door the salesman, Rafeeq Achmat, politely asked how he could help and I asked whether they had the Samsung A73 in stock. He told me yes and I asked if I could buy it on contract. He said yes of course and guided me to counter number 3 and we sat down. He asked me why I wanted the A73. I told him I had one before which I loved but it was ******. He told me that there is a new Samsung A54 available and whether I have considered buying that one. I told him I haven't heard of it and don't know anything about it. Rafeeq told me that it is better than the A73. I asked him how the camera was because I love taking photos. He said the camera is much better, the phone is faster, it has more ram and space and because it is the newest Samsung, Vodacom has it on a package that is even cheaper than the A73. I then agreed to buy the Samsung A54 on contract. We went ahead with the process but while I was signing I asked him if it was too late to change my mind and take the Samsung A73 as I was having doubts. He told me that it was not too late. He told me that I could even come back the next day if I was not satisfied. He said but I will not because the specs of the A54 is much better than the A73. He took out his flip phone to show me the specs but said his network was giving him problems so I never saw the specs. I then proceeded to sign the documents and left with the Samsung A54.

When I got home I inspected the phone. I took pictures and videos and was not impressed. I went on google to see the specs of the phone compared to that of the A73. I saw that the A54 has a 50mp camera while the A73 has a 108mp camera. A54 has a 6.4inch screen compared to A73's 6.7inch. The speed and ram of the phones are the same. The only thing better is the A54 has more on board space.

About three hours after I left the Vodacom store I phoned the store and requested to speak to Rafeeq. The lady told me he was busy with a client. I gave her my name and number and asked that Rafeeq call me back asap. He did not return my call.

On Sunday 2023-04-02, the next day, I again went to Vodacom, Cape Gate. I was informed that Rafeeq was off so I spoke to the assistant store manager, Christiaan Van Wyngaardt. I explained to him my situation. He told me that the Samsung A73 was already sold and since I already signed a contract, there was not much he could do. He asked me what I wanted now. I told him since the A73 is gone I want to cancel my contract. He told me I can't. I asked him whether it was common practice for Vodacom's sales people to lie and mislead the public for sales. He told me no but he will follow it up. I then left the store.

On Monday 2023-04-03 Rafeeq phoned me and asked what the problem was with the phone. I told him that the Samsung A54 is not better than the A73 and that he **** to me. Rafeeq then told me that he never said it was. I told him he did. I continued by reminding him how the only reason I went into their store in the first place was because he told me they had the Samsung A73 in stock and how he persuaded me through lies to buy the A54 instead. Rafeeq denied remembering any of our interaction and told me that he could not have said and done those things because the Samsung A73 was discontinued more than a month ago and they haven't had stock since. I was in shock and immediately realized what was going on. I told him in that case I do not want to discuss it any further I just want to cancel my contract. He told me it was impossible but if I want I can take it up with Vodacom and prove to them that he said all those things. I ended the call.

This whole ordeal left me extremely disappointed in the ethics and principles of Rafeeq, and by extension, Vodacom. Is this how Vodacom conducts business? By lying and deceiving their customers. And if this is only a bad apple, how does Vodacom deal with these situations? I am certain the store's video footage will corroborate everything I say, but does it really boil down to his word vs mine?