Dear Vodacom
Account number IXXXXXXX, cellphone number 072XXXXXXX refers.
In October 2011 I took out a very nice contract with Vodacom, a Samsung galaxy s2, as well as Samsung galaxy 10.1 tablet, on Smart S contract for R499PM. My package was delivered at my work office at the time.
I never experienced any issues during that 24 months term. The problems started when I first wished to terminate my contract. I received no feedback whatsoever after I have indicated that I will not be renewing my contract. A copy of my initial wish to cancel is attached here. This was made at least a month prior to the end of the original term.
When I made follow up on my cancellation, after I had noted that Vodacom continued to bill my account in November 2013, I was told that I have renewed my contract, that I have chosen an Iphone5s, as well as a Justin Bieber CD. I was appalled. I’m probably the biggest anti-Apple person in the world. I would not even touch an Apple product even if someone paid me to do so. As for Justin Bieber CD, I’ll reserve my comments on that.
After what seemed like a decade, someone eventually admitted that there might some internal fraud within Vodacom, where certain staff members automatically ‘upgrades’ contracts of certain customers in the hope that they’ll never catch on. They requested that I send an affidavit (also attached) to prove that indeed I didn’t upgrade my contract, and they I never took delivery of the said Iphone and Bieber CD. Vodacom could not produce proof of me receiving such goods either, it was particularly embarrassing that they didn’t even have an address where they delivered if they did.
After this process they told me that they’ll begin an internal investigation, and reverse my contract upgrade. Apart from one lady (Name Removed), not a single Vodacom employee ever kept their word, about resolving the matter or getting back to me ‘tomorrow’ as they always promised. I had to follow up almost every second day, only to be told the same story over and over again.
This whole process took 3 months, from November to January, while Vodacom continued to debit me R499 every month for a service I didn’t sign-up for, and didn’t use. Even to this day, no one called me to confirm if this is resolved or not.
Eventually, with no communication whatsoever, my account wasn’t debit for February, I jumped for joy in the hope that the matter was finally settled, even if I received no such official confirmation. On the 13th of February, I received a cash refund into my FNB account to the value of R516. I was expecting a refund of R1497 (R499 X 3 months). At this point, I decided that my energy was not worth fighting this anymore, so I gave up trying to get the outstanding refund of R981.
This morning (1 April 2014, no April fool joke), I was woken up by a notification from my bank that Vodacom has debited my account to the value of R185. I was infuriated. Upon investigation using the lovely Vodacom online chat facility, I was informed by the consultant that my account is now a Business contract. When I probed further to ask when did I sign up for such contract, or what exactly am I getting for it, I got the now well-rehearsed rhetoric, that my query will be urgently handed over to the right people who will get back to me.
I want a refund of R981, as well as this morning’s R185, as well as an official apology letter stating that: Vodacom will no longer try to get a cent out of my account.
I’ve set up an automatic process to send out this email every hour, indefinitely, or until I receive my money back. I’m also sending it to as many Vodacom email address as I can possibly find online.
I’m posting this letter to as many online outlets as possible, and to as many media houses as I can.
Regards,
Account number IXXXXXXX, cellphone number 072XXXXXXX refers.
In October 2011 I took out a very nice contract with Vodacom, a Samsung galaxy s2, as well as Samsung galaxy 10.1 tablet, on Smart S contract for R499PM. My package was delivered at my work office at the time.
I never experienced any issues during that 24 months term. The problems started when I first wished to terminate my contract. I received no feedback whatsoever after I have indicated that I will not be renewing my contract. A copy of my initial wish to cancel is attached here. This was made at least a month prior to the end of the original term.
When I made follow up on my cancellation, after I had noted that Vodacom continued to bill my account in November 2013, I was told that I have renewed my contract, that I have chosen an Iphone5s, as well as a Justin Bieber CD. I was appalled. I’m probably the biggest anti-Apple person in the world. I would not even touch an Apple product even if someone paid me to do so. As for Justin Bieber CD, I’ll reserve my comments on that.
After what seemed like a decade, someone eventually admitted that there might some internal fraud within Vodacom, where certain staff members automatically ‘upgrades’ contracts of certain customers in the hope that they’ll never catch on. They requested that I send an affidavit (also attached) to prove that indeed I didn’t upgrade my contract, and they I never took delivery of the said Iphone and Bieber CD. Vodacom could not produce proof of me receiving such goods either, it was particularly embarrassing that they didn’t even have an address where they delivered if they did.
After this process they told me that they’ll begin an internal investigation, and reverse my contract upgrade. Apart from one lady (Name Removed), not a single Vodacom employee ever kept their word, about resolving the matter or getting back to me ‘tomorrow’ as they always promised. I had to follow up almost every second day, only to be told the same story over and over again.
This whole process took 3 months, from November to January, while Vodacom continued to debit me R499 every month for a service I didn’t sign-up for, and didn’t use. Even to this day, no one called me to confirm if this is resolved or not.
Eventually, with no communication whatsoever, my account wasn’t debit for February, I jumped for joy in the hope that the matter was finally settled, even if I received no such official confirmation. On the 13th of February, I received a cash refund into my FNB account to the value of R516. I was expecting a refund of R1497 (R499 X 3 months). At this point, I decided that my energy was not worth fighting this anymore, so I gave up trying to get the outstanding refund of R981.
This morning (1 April 2014, no April fool joke), I was woken up by a notification from my bank that Vodacom has debited my account to the value of R185. I was infuriated. Upon investigation using the lovely Vodacom online chat facility, I was informed by the consultant that my account is now a Business contract. When I probed further to ask when did I sign up for such contract, or what exactly am I getting for it, I got the now well-rehearsed rhetoric, that my query will be urgently handed over to the right people who will get back to me.
I want a refund of R981, as well as this morning’s R185, as well as an official apology letter stating that: Vodacom will no longer try to get a cent out of my account.
I’ve set up an automatic process to send out this email every hour, indefinitely, or until I receive my money back. I’m also sending it to as many Vodacom email address as I can possibly find online.
I’m posting this letter to as many online outlets as possible, and to as many media houses as I can.
Regards,