Vodacom Sold Me a Faulty Xbox

I took out a contract with Vodacom on 30 April 2025 for an Xbox console, which I collected from the Fourways Mall Vodacom store on 6 May 2025. When I tried to set it up at home, it kept showing system error codes and wouldn’t boot properly.

I went back to the store on 11 May to report the issue, and instead of helping, I was told to check a pamphlet in the box for support contacts. There was nothing helpful there, so I had to search online to find Xbox support myself.

After speaking with Xbox support, I was advised that the issue is hardware-related and that I should return the Xbox to the store I received it from. I went back to Vodacom on 12 May, only to be told again to contact Xbox or Microsoft and arrange for them to collect the device — which is completely unreasonable!

I left the faulty Xbox at the store because I refuse to be sent in circles. I got this product through Vodacom, not Microsoft, and they should be the ones dealing with the supplier or arranging a replacement.

To make things worse, this Xbox was meant to be a birthday gift for my son, whose birthday is on 14 May 2025. He has already seen the gift — and now I have nothing to give him. I am beyond disappointed and frustrated.

Why was Vodacom so quick to deliver the product when signing the contract, but now that it’s faulty, I’m being left to deal with it on my own?

I will not pay for a device I don’t have and urge Vodacom to take responsibility and replace or fix the Xbox immediately. This is unacceptable customer service.