Major issue :(

[Robin Hood]

First, let me explain my senario...I'm with MTN for just over 2 years now and never had any complains until now...I had a 2 year contract ( R339 per month ) whereby I received a N70 + R300 Airtime every month.

I have accumulated R1500 of airtime and thought I'd cancel my contract as i have finished my contract and would use the remaining R1500 Airtime over time.

What a surprise when the guy at MTN tells me that i loose my airtime ( or i must use it up in the next 3-4 weeks ) AND cell number...Can this be? My whole idea was to stick with MTN but just move over to pre-paid, thereby also keeping my existing No. If this is the case, these guys are a bunch of f'n crooks

 

[broken1]

Terms and conditions.

If you had a top-up contract with Vodacom, they only allow you to accumulate 6 months worth of "airtime" before they start taking it away from you. You got the airtime in terms of a contract, and now you want to use it after you've cancelled the contract?

Think of it as free minutes. If I accumulate 1000 free minutes on my Procall/Talk contract, cancell the contract - would I be allowed to use it? NO! Why? Cause it's in terms of the contract.

You shouldn't take out a R300/month contract if you are not going to use the benefits.

 

[Robin Hood]

Terms and conditions.

If you had a top-up contract with Vodacom, they only allow you to accumulate 6 months worth of "airtime" before they start taking it away from you. You got the airtime in terms of a contract, and now you want to use it after you've cancelled the contract?

Think of it as free minutes. If I accumulate 1000 free minutes on my Procall/Talk contract, cancell the contract - would I be allowed to use it? NO! Why? Cause it's in terms of the contract.

You shouldn't take out a R300/month contract if you are not going to use the benefits.

No, I hear you...you're 100% correct, but you must also remember i had to pay like R1600 IN...( to me thats for the phone.) Think about it...How can a phone that costs R3000 ( 2 years ago ) cost you R8136 ( see calculation below ) at the end of a 2 year period PLUS the deposito? Sounds like a money-making racket if you ask me..

To me it sounded more like PAID minutes, and not FREE minutes. ( R39x 24 months + R1600 =R936 + R1600 = R2536 ) ..See what im trying to say? The phone then cost me R2536, but ive paid --- 24 x R339 = R8136

I just hope they could have explained this **** to me afore-hand as I'm no cell fundi. Matter of interrest...I believe Vodacom/Virgin can supply you with the same no as you had before if you go over to their service...Is this true?

 

[Ecco]

No, I hear you...you're 100% correct, but you must also remember i had to pay like R1600 IN...( to me thats for the phone.) Think about it...How can a phone that costs R3000 ( 2 years ago ) cost you R8136 ( see calculation below ) at the end of a 2 year period PLUS the deposito? Sounds like a money-making racket if you ask me..

Tha fact that you had to pay in money, was because you chose a phone that was still considered expensive when you took out the contract.

Many contracts have phones which they give you for free. Yes, and you still have to pay the contract monthly rate, of say for example R135p/m (weekender plus on VC). The R135 is not to pay off the phone, is the monthly cost for operating the contract. So no, its not a money making racket as such.

To me it sounded more like PAID minutes, and not FREE minutes. ( R39x 24 months + R1600 =R936 + R1600 = R2536 ) ..See what im trying to say? The phone then cost me R2536, but ive paid --- 24 x R339 = R8136

Yes, technically speaking you are paying for those minutes as part of your per month rate. However the terms and conditions state you cannot carry over those minutes if you terminate your contract. Again, you are not paying off the phone with the monthly rate of R339, thats the monthly cost of the contract.

I just hope they could have explained this **** to me afore-hand as I'm no cell fundi. Matter of interrest...I believe Vodacom/Virgin can supply you with the same no as you had before if you go over to their service...Is this true?

Yes, they could have explained this to you, or you could have asked the questions before signing the contract. This would have happened with any of the service providers in south africa, and is standard as per the terms and conditions, yes it sucks that you didnt know you would loose the minutes, but you dont have anything to fall back onto.

Also, yes, you can keep your same number if you port to vodacom or virgin. Mind you, as i mentioned before, you will find the same terms and conditions with those service providers too.

PS if you need assistance with porting, look around this forum, as there are some things you should know before you port from mtn to vodacom/virgin.

 

[HavocXphere]

Cut your losses with the airtime issue, but give them grief about losing the number. There is no reason why they can't manage to move the number nowadays.

 

[medicnick83]

Phone some friends, catch up! Rekindle old flames haha.

 

[Ecco]

Cut your losses with the airtime issue, but give them grief about losing the number. There is no reason why they can't manage to move the number nowadays.

If he cancels the contract he will loose the number. If he moves to pre-paid, he will loose only the minutes.