Vodacom porting nightmare!

<p>Late last year, we initiated a contract with Vodacom through their online portal. Given that I wanted to port my existing MTN number to Vodacom to keep my original number, my husband and I were told by the consultant dealing with our case that the porting facilities were down. When asked if we would still be able to port at a later stage, the consultant confidently said yes. After waiting 3 times longer than the specified time to receive the phone and sim and after many follow up calls and complaints, the phone was delivered. Shortly after this, it was time to port. Our first step was to call the Vodacom customer care centre who told us that we would in fact not be able to port into Vodacom because the contract was already activated. A complete diversion to what we had been told before taking out the contract. The next step was to visit the Sandton City Vodacom branch. Easily the most dreadful experience with the consultant giving the same answer and stating that he was just simply not able to help. Frustrated but determined, we called Vodacom and asked to be directed to the porting department. After waiting 20 odd minutes and being given the run around, a consultant picked up. I explained my predicament to the Vodacom online consultant and was told that they couldnt be of assistance. Of course, I was subsequently redirected and ultimately wound up at the Vodacom porting department. I explained the predicament to him and he nonchalantly responded to say not even he could help because it was a contract and not a prepaid line. Now at my wits end, I asked to speak to the manager who in effect repeated what was said and told me I would need to contact none other than.... Vodacom online. The others are no saints but I have never been so appalled at the level of service provided by a telco operator. No one app**** their minds to my predicament, divergent opinions were given and the only person grossly inconvenienced by their poor command of the language that is customer service is me. Fellow shoppers on the market for a network provider, you have been warned..</p>