Vodacom Trade Route Lenasia *****

The Vodacom store at Trade Route Mall appears to be engaging in *****ulent activities. I have reported this issue over a month ago with reference number EC-1MI4-1E9EOI and was promised a response within 7 days. Its been over a month with absolutely no response!

I recently visited the Vodacom store at Trade Route Mall, Lenasia. to upgrade my contract. The contract included a Huawei router (B535-932 5G router). When I went to collect the router, I was instead given a lower-end Alcatel router which is not 5G. Upon enquiry, I was informed that the store did not have the Huawei router in stock currently. I rep**** that I was prepared to wait for more stock to come in. I was informed that there was a countrywide shortage and no new stock would be coming in for a long time (the first lie). I was then threatened that if I did not take this Alcatel router, the entire deal would be cancelled and I would lose out on the promotion! (the second lie)

I was further "advised" unceremoniously that I should just accept this Alcatel router, and if I didnt like it, I could sell it and buy the Huawei one for cash. This was a ridiculous suggestion as the Huawei router was supposed to be included in teh deal. Why should I settle for a lower end router??

Thereafter a friend called in to the store to enquire about purchasing the Huawei router in cash and was informed that the store did indeed have stock, and if the stock got finished they could easily order more within 2 days. This was also confirmed by calling other stores, implying there was actually NO country wide shortage!!

I believe that the store is "forcing" unsuspecting clients to take the lower end ALcatel router, threatening that if they didnt - they would lose out on the promotion. Meanwhile holding back stock of the Huawei router to sell as cash! This tantamounts to commercial ***** and not honouring the advertised deals.

Furthermore, I also noticed an extra charge on the contract. Upon enquiry I was informed that there was "an extra cover" (insurance) added. When I informed the store that I had never requested this cover, and in fact had never had any insurance on any of my contracts - I was told that this was compulsory!! (the third lie). When I objected again, I was advised that if I opted out of the cover, the entire deal would be cancelled! This again makes absolutely no sense to me!

But the store insisted that the contract had to be initiated, and only then would the cover be cancelled. (the fourth lie) However, after initiating the contract, I again requested the extra cover to be cancelled, but am now told that I would have to go to the Head Office to cancel the additional insurance!.

I am extremely frustrated. Firstly, by the store not honouring the advertised deal and in fact supplying a low-end router, and thereafter making me jump through hoops to cancel the insurance/ extra cover that I never requested in the first place!

I must say this is pathetic service. The issue was reported a month ago with no response. Who is going to compensate me for the additional data and incovenience of having to use my phone data?? Not to mention that it drains my phone battery - this is unacceptable as I am often on call and require a fully functional phone!

Is there a way that I can score them lower than a score of 1?

I hope I am not going to receive the standard tape-recorded "We will look into this matter" response but something more concrete!! Does anybody have the CEOs contact details?