1 reviews | Active since Oct 2012
Vodacom Promotions are deceptive and costly
I ordered FTTH (Vumatel) on Vodacom's Black Friday promotion in November 2022 - 100Mbps at R 499.00 per month, including VAT - one for myself and one for my pensioner aunt. Free installation and router was included in the deal, plus the 1st 3 x months zero subscription, thereafter R 499.00 per month until I cancel. I was given the option of month-to-month, 12-month, or 24-month contract. I chose month-to-month as I prefer the flexibility if my circumstances changed. After 12 months I noticed I was now paying almost double the agreed monthly subscription. When I queried the increased debit order I was informed by Vodacom that month-to-month is only valid for 12 months, yet nowhere in the contracts I signed for the services does it stipulate that month-to-month has a time-limit. I was also not informed by Vodacom that they were discontinuing the promotional agreement and I was to pay a standard subscription. I am bitterly disappointed in Vodacom. I have been their customer since 1998, and lately their service appears to be going to the dogs. I would like to warn other consumers about promotional offers from Vodacom that have a sting in the tail. Needless to say I will be cancelling the FTTH services with Vodacom and signing up with a company that honours their agreement!
The limp-wristed, half-hearted response to my complaint is noted. None of my concerns were addressed, and once again I am being fobbed off. There is much room for improvement at Vodacom, but regrettably this will be impossible as Vodacom stand to lose customers due to their inability to adhere to signed promotional agreements.
I previously escalated the fibre billing query to Vodacom and received the following unacceptable feedback:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ From: *** <***>
Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2024 10:57 AM
To: Judy
Subject: SR*** Good Day I can confirm that the month to month term is 12 months. Therefore the Black Friday discount will only be for 12 month when on a month to month contract contract term. Please note that this inquiry is now confirmed as being resolved. Regards Dominic _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
While 'Dominic' can confirm the so called month-to-month term is only for 12 months, there is nothing in the Black Friday offer or the contracts I signed that indicate this. Month-to-month is valid until I, the Subscriber give notice, or Vodacom closes down and cannot honour the contract. Vodacom are therefore in breach of the agreement signed.
I can understand month-to-month agreements requiring a minimum of 12 months subscription to cover the cost of the fibre router, ONT and physical fibre installation, however to cease a promotional offer after 12 months, only to have a client move to another provider because they are being ********** with pricing almost double the originally-agreed promotional price, makes no economic or business sense. Vodacom also did not have the decency to inform me in writing that they were going to cease the promotion and radically increase the monthly subscriptions.
I have approached Wendy Knowler in this regard and will escalate further through The Consumer Goods and Services Ombudsman, as well as ICASA.
The limp-wristed, half-hearted response to my complaint is noted. None of my concerns were addressed, and once again I am being fobbed off. There is much room for improvement at Vodacom, but regrettably this will be impossible as Vodacom stand to lose customers due to their inability to adhere to signed promotional agreements.
I previously escalated the fibre billing query to Vodacom and received the following unacceptable feedback:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ From: *** <***>
Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2024 10:57 AM
To: Judy
Subject: SR*** Good Day I can confirm that the month to month term is 12 months. Therefore the Black Friday discount will only be for 12 month when on a month to month contract contract term. Please note that this inquiry is now confirmed as being resolved. Regards Dominic _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
While 'Dominic' can confirm the so called month-to-month term is only for 12 months, there is nothing in the Black Friday offer or the contracts I signed that indicate this. Month-to-month is valid until I, the Subscriber give notice, or Vodacom closes down and cannot honour the contract. Vodacom are therefore in breach of the agreement signed.
I can understand month-to-month agreements requiring a minimum of 12 months subscription to cover the cost of the fibre router, ONT and physical fibre installation, however to cease a promotional offer after 12 months, only to have a client move to another provider because they are being ********** with pricing almost double the originally-agreed promotional price, makes no economic or business sense. Vodacom also did not have the decency to inform me in writing that they were going to cease the promotion and radically increase the monthly subscriptions.
I have approached Wendy Knowler in this regard and will escalate further through The Consumer Goods and Services Ombudsman, as well as ICASA.