Advice on cancelling an MTN data contract

[Thomas78]

I would appreciate advice on the best way to cancel an MTN contract at the end of the contract period.

My contract period ends on 29 June and the MTN retentions department previously told me that I have to give them the cancellation instruction on 29 May (20 business days before cancellation). I tried to do that today (specifying cancellation on 29 June) but they quoted a cancellation fee of R1900 on a SIM only contract that is R250pm!

They then told me I can only request cancellation after the contract has expired. Keeping in mind that 20 business days' notice is required, this means that a 24-month contract does not exist - it is at least a 25-month contract. To add insult to injury they are unable to explain how the cancellation charge is calculated and just state that "it is what the system says".

Any advice from anybody that has made progress with this company, that appears to be acting very unethically, would be appreciated. (I have also sent emails to [email protected] but they just ignore the emails).

 

[gogga_]

All these cellphone service provider companies are the same.....easy to sign up..... seems impossible to get out of when you done with their contract. Always extra fees

 

[BCR]

I would appreciate advice on the best way to cancel an MTN contract at the end of the contract period.

My contract period ends on 29 June and the MTN retentions department previously told me that I have to give them the cancellation instruction on 29 May (20 business days before cancellation). I tried to do that today (specifying cancellation on 29 June) but they quoted a cancellation fee of R1900 on a SIM only contract that is R250pm!

They then told me I can only request cancellation after the contract has expired. Keeping in mind that 20 business days' notice is required, this means that a 24-month contract does not exist - it is at least a 25-month contract. To add insult to injury they are unable to explain how the cancellation charge is calculated and just state that "it is what the system says".

Any advice from anybody that has made progress with this company, that appears to be acting very unethically, would be appreciated. (I have also sent emails to [email protected] but they just ignore the emails).

I've written about it before on this forum.

The way I cancelled an MTN contract - years ago (more than 10) was to go to their nearest regional office, and get the info from them - think I had to go back there on the last day or a few days before it was coming to an end, and they processed it in front of me.

Got a reference number for the cancellation + they even typed out a letter confirming it.

I never dealt with the call centre at all.

The regional office address details were listed on the back of the 1st page of every invoice - don't know if they still are / do ?

If that's an option open to you (ie. listed on invoice and within a reasonable distance), I suggest you make use of it instead of the call centre antics.

 

[airborne]

I’d also suggest going into an MTN direct walk in centre, the retentions department is a 3rd party company called the Ignition Group and 110% useless, don’t even bother with them.