Buying a new Cellphone

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bevan1

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Hey all,

So this is what happened to me today.

Went to PEP Stores, yes you read right PEP stores to purchase a cheap cellphone of R99 for our drivers to use while on the road. In store i spoke to one of the workers and told her i want to purchase the phones Cash. She then in turn asked me if i brought my ID and proof of residance. I told her that I just want the phones because we have rica'd sim cards for the phones already.

My understanding is that you only need to produce you ID and proof of residance when you Rica.

Apparently you cannot buy cellphones just like that now. All stores eg PEP, JET, Edgars ect have the same policy when I called customer support.

What K@k is this.
 
Same story here, I had to re-RICA all the phones for our staff. Was at PEP and they were RICAing about 200 SIM cards for a shady looking dude. It's just crazy, and yet another example of useless red tape. Those who abide by the law have to jump through hoops, while those less honest use all the loop holes to get around the law. Same applies to the implementation of the financial regulations (FICA.)
 
Pep, jet, edgars rely on the starter pack getting activated because that's where they make money. They'll made R10-R30 bucks on the cheapies but the in-store activation is a necessity. Everytime you recharge on their starter packs they get revenue. Lifelong customer recharging is lifetime income.
 
When I worked for MTN it was company policy to rica all prepaid phones when the sell.

It ensures the customer did (probably / maybe) not use a vodacom or cell c sim.

The networks claim they subsidise the price of prepaid phones, and unfortunately if you do find an outlet that sells phones without sims, they are more expensive.
 
10i said:
........, and unfortunately if you do find an outlet that sells phones without sims, they are more expensive.
Click to expand...
Not always, there is a ton of online stores that are sometimes almost half the price of what you pay at a MTN/VC stores (e.g. CaCell is selling the N8 for R2k9 while the MTN/VC stores are asking for around R5k or even more).
 
I registered my three numbers at Edgars, with my ID. However, I didnt have the other sims with me, but they happily rica'd it for me.
I just had to let them know what the number is and Voila!
This surely has great potential for FRAUD
 
As pointed out earlier, when the store activates the SIM pack they get commission plus the RICA fee.

Most independent cellular outlets will be happy to sell you a SIM free handset, it's a lot less hassle!

Price wise, you'll pay more for a PEP style R99 handset as there are no subsidies and it could cost you up to R100 more! Once you get into mid-range and above, you'll be paying considerably less than the "big boys" will charge! Circa R3000 for the N8 is around average and way below network tied stores!
 
Regarding the rest of this thread...in the famous words of Julias...."Our finances are none of your business!" lolz

Seriously though. The prepaid deals that you see advertised in the Vodacom Store, 4U Store and Chatz Connect booklets are subject to prepaid starter pack activation in store (RICA must be complied with) as the deals are subsidised by the relevant channel and for the store to get their money back they need to to do the whole starter pack thing otherwise the deal is not financially viable for them.

You can buy the phone without the prepaid SP...but then the normal cash price from that store will apply.
 
Got a buddy who owns a cell shop. he brings me a pack of sims rica normally.
This crap reminds me of the bank looking for your proof of residence asked the lady if the street post with the name on it will do
 
BTW, is there a limit on the number of SIMs one can rica?
 
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