Open Letter to Vodacom, Again...

keedmansa

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According to the freedictionary.com, the definition for a bully is “a person who is habitually cruel or overbearing, especially to smaller or weaker people”. I am a firm believer that Vodacom has a sadistic approach towards their clients, otherwise known as bullying. There is a simple explanation for this and when I read the over 250 complaints within an hour to Vodacom announcing the down BIS network, it confirms that Vodacom has a don’t-care, I am holier than though attitude. This is a perfect example of how a client is trapped in a 2 year cage and the gate keeper is poking you with a sharp stick. We have no say, we are trapped, no way out, bullied, we are the weaker people.

If Vodacom claims that there is a problem with the BIS in Europe and it is affecting us South Africans, can someone explain to me why MTN and other networks don’t have the same problem? I get the impression that not only is Vodacom a bully; they have an external locus of control, in better terms, shifting the blame. Why can’t Vodacom be honest with us? I mean really, we’re trapped in a 2 year contract, it’s not like we can go anywhere? Or maybe they think we are fools? That could be the answer and this becomes more evident when they announce the network is down more than 3 hours after the initial break-down. Vodacom obviously thought we wouldn’t notice it. Could it be more evident, Vodacom thinks we are fools?

You see, this is typical of major companies. They have the key to the chain around our nuts. They have the final say. Heaven forbid my debit order doesn’t go through on time. I mean, we are the ones paying their salary and lining the pocket of Mohamed Shameel Aziz Joosub, Vodacoms chief in charge. I’m sure he is still on holiday so I’m assuming this open letter will cause no impact. I’m being a fool again; nothing gets to the CEO’s office except shares. But while we civilians came back to reality after the festive season to work, we get welcomed by the incompetency of the network, which is Vodacom. But who cares right, we are the fools. We openly placed the chain on our nuts and gave Vodacom a 2 year lease on the key.

Where do we as clients draw the line? I for one am not going to renew my contract, but is that enough? When are we allowed to invoice Vodacom for the lack of service and for the potential loss of revenue we as business people suffer? Heaven forbid we even think about that.

So, to conclude; I certainly hope that people read this and make a decision. Stay with Vodacom, or move? I personally would rather rely on a pigeon to convey my message than continue relying on Vodacom. But that won’t happen so come November, MTN will gain a new client and I will take as many people with me as I possibly can.
 
there is no doubt by anyone that this is a Vodacom issue and not a RIM or anyone else they can try blaming. The moment you switch ur phone to wifi all BB features work perfectly. However like you say, vodacom couldnt care less. They will blame europe/rim for anything when it comes to BB not working like it should.

I agree with you about the bully concept, however once again, no bully cares that he is called a bully... they actually thrive on it. They have the most customers, even if a few leave they still get to milk the others for every cent they have so why should they change their ways... :)
 
Oh the drama :rolleyes:

Anyway, I would have moved away from Vodacom long ago if it wasn't so much effort. Wanted to go to MTN, they said I must bring payslips, bank statements, ID, etc etc, basically the same as when applying for a new contract. Now this is more effort than dealing with the poor network quality and congestion and dropped calls and useless calls that go silent halfway through the converstaion. So yeah....bleh.
 
Here's a free advice: when your contract expires LEAVE THEM!!!

I did two years ago and I am very happy where I am. As soon as South Africans remember that putting up with bad service and exorbitant rates is just as equivalent as staying with an abusive partner and it will not stop until you leave the better.

Honestly, Vodacom has gone really bad. It was a little tolerable before because they had better service even at those inflated rates.

Now, you either suffer from dropped calls with their 'legendary' coverage or complete network failure.

Vodascum is truly a disgrace!
 
Vodacom dont care anymore, their shareholders are happy and the dodgy management here also dont care as they are making truckloads of cash.
Thats all there is to it.
I made the mistake of renewing to get an S3, never again !!
 
Left them earlier this year after being a loyal client for the past 8 years with 5 phones (in our household) on their network, average annual spend in the region of R40,000 but guess for Vodacom this is small change which is not missed. HOWEVER, I think it is adding up, seems more and more are making the switch when they are able to do so so give it time.

As they say, the wheel turns, slowly at times but it turns. Our mobile market is close to saturated so customer service is becoming more and more important. In the old days there has always been 10 clients to take your place if you left, that is changing. Vodacom might just end up like Telkom... a big giant with no clients...
 
It's not just BlackBerry users who feel like this, although you guys do get the worst of it. I'm sick of Vodacom and their rubbish HSPA+ speeds due to clogged network as well as just how fragile their network is to even a little bit of rain for example, I understand that they have no control over the elements, but a day of bad weather equals a month of crap data speeds, it's so annoying!!!
 
I understawhat you're saying, but why exist as a business if you can't deliver as promised?
 
Yeeeees, I don't dispute that, I agree with you. But that contributes towards the frustration of the clients, of which they don't care...
 
Geez you BB addicts are another breed.
It's technology, it breaks, have you lost 3 hours of your life?
I believe it was a Vodafone link that went down, big deal!

I love technology and innovation, we breaking into new territory everyday, but it's all we are dammit.
 
Geez you BB addicts are another breed.
It's technology, it breaks, have you lost 3 hours of your life?
I believe it was a Vodafone link that went down, big deal!

I love technology and innovation, we breaking into new territory everyday, but it's all we are dammit.
But lately its always on the Voda network, maybe you use it to BBM your friends at school, or because you dont use Mxit anymore ;) some of us use it for work.
 
This is a perfect example of how a client is trapped in a 2 year cage and the gate keeper is poking you with a sharp stick. We have no say, we are trapped, no way out, bullied, we are the weaker people.

A little humor describing their behaviour :D [url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LK7LyxgrWS4[/URL]

OT, someone who is a BBM addict is those that want to end their life because BBM/whatsapp doesnt work for a good few hours. Those of us who have adjusted the way we do business because of BB is something very different.

I for one can live without BBM/whatsapp for a day or 2, but not having emails for a whole day will make me hit the roof especially since 80% of my day is out of office.... so there's potential revenue loss if i don't receive an email.
 
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