Another Telkom scam

J

Jase

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This might have been discussed before but I am going to post it for those who are not aware.

I order my Telkom line and ADSL simultaneously. Waited around 8 weeks or so (didn't count as I didn't want to get my blood pressure up).

The Tecchie surprised me one day by pitching up at my house. I hadn't even bought the modem yet.

I thought no problem, he can do the line install and I will just self install the following day or so. He says it's no problemo, does the line installation and leaves (actually it took 2 days as he pitched up too close to his knocking off time)

Anyway, he installed the line and tested it and said that it's all A-Okay. Schweet I thought and bought the modem the next day. All is working with no problems.

Lo and behold I get the account, they charged me for the ADSL installation. I contacted their ever fast, friendly and efficient call centre and got told that the self install option on a new line is NOT an option.

I didn't think to ask, and I should have asked for written terms and conditions but I still think that this is just another scam by our one and only fixed line provider.

So to Telkom I have this to say: Like millions of others in this country, we are patient, we are biding our time and the day you lose your monopoly, you are going to lose your customer base.
 
Ultimately, the CEo will have to decide whether to keep the shareholders happy, or the customers happy.

He can't have both.

But if things go pearshaped, the CEO will be rewarded with a golden handshake, so why does he have to worry?
 
I think the whole idea of the self install is that they don't need to send a technician to do the install, and since they had to send one out to do the line thats probably why you got charged, since lets face it what the hell is the self install,,,,,,, just a matter of plugging in the filters and modem.

Thats my thoughts on the subject anyway.
 
When i moved to my new place, i ordered the line and DSL at the same time, asked for self install, was told that you cant apply for self install on a new line. So i said ok, just install the line and ill apply for self install afterwards.. even though my request was for DSL as well.. Techie pitched up exactly 21 days later, got a call from telkom telling me that my DSL was active, was also told that it was on self install and i wouldnt be charged for the installation.
True to the word of the person who called me, i wasnt charged...
Its a clear indication of the lack of internal communication and general processes that they should be following...
I did however pay for the installation of the phone line... not the DSL..
 
Jase said:
I contacted their ever fast, friendly and efficient call centre and got told that the self install option on a new line is NOT an option.
Click to expand...
Same happened to me. Luckily the second guy I spoke to suggested a workaround. Order a new line, and then order ADSL once it's installed.

Took about 2 days longer but I didn't have to pay any installation fees. Or at least I hope so.
 
MrH said:
I think the whole idea of the self install is that they don't need to send a technician to do the install, and since they had to send one out to do the line thats probably why you got charged, since lets face it what the hell is the self install,,,,,,, just a matter of plugging in the filters and modem.

Thats my thoughts on the subject anyway.
Click to expand...

That is the idea of self install but if you get the Telkom guys out there to install the line and do nothing else you should not get charged what is effectively twice. You pay for the line install and that is it. If the guy does not do anything with regards to ADSL then you should not be charged for it.

Personally I think this was a mistake on Telkoms part (incompetence) as "Surv0" said in his post that he only paid for the line install when he did the same thing.

Unfortunately Telkom staff generally don't seem to be too knowledgeable and therefore when dealing with Telkom you must never ask questions you must always no the answers or find answers elsewhere as you will probably get the wrong answer from Telkom staff. Thats been my experience with them.
 
Scammed by Telscam

I also had the runaround with Telskum for about 3 months after the installation and was eventually told that since the technician did a line install which in fact was a reactivation of the line. Anyway I have decided that it is completely pointless getting angry at them because they really dont care.
 
Ilitirit said:
Same happened to me. Luckily the second guy I spoke to suggested a workaround. Order a new line, and then order ADSL once it's installed.

Took about 2 days longer but I didn't have to pay any installation fees. Or at least I hope so.
Click to expand...

You see this makes no sense on Telkoms part. It is true that you won't pay the extra doing it this way but why should you have to go this route. It is exactly the same as ordering it all at once and it is less paperwork and effort. So why charge the customer for doing it together and don't charge those that do it separately. They are the same thing.

This is how Telkom steals from those who don't know about these things and the sad part is that it's normally the majority of people that will fall into this trap.
 
rajharie said:
I also had the runaround with Telskum for about 3 months after the installation and was eventually told that since the technician did a line install which in fact was a reactivation of the line. Anyway I have decided that it is completely pointless getting angry at them because they really dont care.
Click to expand...

That's the saddest part, THEY DONT CARE, and why should they? There is no competition or pressure on them too care (I'm not defending them here, I'm merely stating the facts).
 
Jase said:
This might have been discussed before but I am going to post it for those who are not aware.

I order my Telkom line and ADSL simultaneously. Waited around 8 weeks or so (didn't count as I didn't want to get my blood pressure up).

The Tecchie surprised me one day by pitching up at my house. I hadn't even bought the modem yet.

I thought no problem, he can do the line install and I will just self install the following day or so. He says it's no problemo, does the line installation and leaves (actually it took 2 days as he pitched up too close to his knocking off time)

Anyway, he installed the line and tested it and said that it's all A-Okay. Schweet I thought and bought the modem the next day. All is working with no problems.

Lo and behold I get the account, they charged me for the ADSL installation. I contacted their ever fast, friendly and efficient call centre and got told that the self install option on a new line is NOT an option.

I didn't think to ask, and I should have asked for written terms and conditions but I still think that this is just another scam by our one and only fixed line provider.

So to Telkom I have this to say: Like millions of others in this country, we are patient, we are biding our time and the day you lose your monopoly, you are going to lose your customer base.
Click to expand...

They told me I could have a line installed, pay a line installation charge and then do an ADSL self install and pay no ADSL installation charge, but I suppose it doesn't always work as it should in practice.
 
The chap I spoke to at the Musgrave Telkom branch actually warned me about this, he suggested I just went for one of the small Closer plans now (as it saves me installation cost) and then apply for an ADSL line in a week or two.
 
Fudzy said:
The chap I spoke to at the Musgrave Telkom branch actually warned me about this, he suggested I just went for one of the small Closer plans now (as it saves me installation cost) and then apply for an ADSL line in a week or two.
Click to expand...

Don't you pay installation on Closer?
 
No when I applied for my new line the lady at the Telkom shop told me it's for free on closer1.

Then again it's the same lady that screwed up my Do2 application and gave me a 1 gig account instead.

I cancelled the one gig at the same shop ,but after a shocker of a bill I discovered Im still being charged for the 1gig together with the 2gig.
 
Jase said:
This might have been discussed before but I am going to post it for those who are not aware.

I order my Telkom line and ADSL simultaneously. Waited around 8 weeks or so (didn't count as I didn't want to get my blood pressure up).

The Tecchie surprised me one day by pitching up at my house. I hadn't even bought the modem yet.

I thought no problem, he can do the line install and I will just self install the following day or so. He says it's no problemo, does the line installation and leaves (actually it took 2 days as he pitched up too close to his knocking off time)

Anyway, he installed the line and tested it and said that it's all A-Okay. Schweet I thought and bought the modem the next day. All is working with no problems.

Lo and behold I get the account, they charged me for the ADSL installation. I contacted their ever fast, friendly and efficient call centre and got told that the self install option on a new line is NOT an option.

I didn't think to ask, and I should have asked for written terms and conditions but I still think that this is just another scam by our one and only fixed line provider.

So to Telkom I have this to say: Like millions of others in this country, we are patient, we are biding our time and the day you lose your monopoly, you are going to lose your customer base.
Click to expand...

I had the exact same prob. Except it took 2 weeks, which they warned me about. I got a courtesy call a week later from Telkom, and explained my prob. The consultant told me to wait for the bill, and then query it with the accounts depart. 10210. Which I did on Monday. Tuesday they called me and told me it will be credited on my next bill.

However, in my order, a free modem was promised, which I also queried. Wednesday i got that call, saying I must collect it at a Telkom shop. Which I will be doing shortly. When they give the lady at the Telkomshop a warning for being discriminating to their customers.

To sum up. Think back, and try to remember if u asked about the selfinstall, and if they confirmed that you won't be charged, if so, their calls are recorded, and you are fighting a winning battle. Call 10210, and tell them about the prob.

Somehow I got the feeling u spoke to the same person I spoke to.

Good luck ... :D
 
When we ordered a new phone line and ADSL for our new offices I asked for self-install but they said I can't have self install on a new line (which is bull of course). Fine I thought, just you wait ... So after the installation and first bill I went to another telkom branch and logged a dispute on the ADSL installation charge since I asked for self-install and a few days later their call centre called and said it was reversed. He he.
 
Funny I Almost had the same Problem.I had a prepaid line with no functional 5 minute max dial up for the last 2 years. I decided to enquire about installing adsl at one of h(t)ellskums direct shop's reply was that adsl was not available in my area and if I would like to have it tested by You know ho I firstly need to convert my line and place a order for adsl,then if adsl is available they will install.(noooo way!!!!!!!!)
A few day later I phoned the orders number 10219 and enquired again. Now the response was status unknownand again try to convince me the only!!! way was to first convert my prepaid line and then apply. Fuming I refused to accept this and all of a sudden they told me to apply for a complete new line and once-we determine if adsl are available they will cancel the order and just convert the prepaid line.( Of coarse!!!!!!!!!)
Two weeks later the techie showed up to install a new line.Now I have a line but no modem and again as per telkom the only way to get a modem are on contract!(I am not insane to do that!!!!!) Later I was told that I could purchase a modem on my account and on terms as I also discovered this adsl installation fee later.

I went to H(T)ellskum shop and received a USB pots after 3 day and no avail I took it back and were told they do not have stock of anything but this USB Pots(CRAP) After Breaking my cot The guy behind the counter pulled out a Cordless gateway unit(Wireless Router)

Finally after installing this I can also say I am connected????

Thanx H(T)ellskum.
 
The_Librarian said:
Ultimately, the CEo will have to decide whether to keep the shareholders happy, or the customers happy.

He can't have both.
Click to expand...

you'll actually find there are many companies in the world that can keep both happy
 
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