Opening a new Contract with MTN - The Procedure

Jer1cho

Jer1cho

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Ok, I have been with Vodacom now for almost 4 years. My phone was stolen while on holiday, so i decided to get a new one. Problem is, Vodacom have pretty bad deals when it comes to phones. The Nokia X5800 caught my eye, so i checked out some specials on it. Here is what i got:

On Vodacom Top Up R200 - R1800 pay in

On MTN Top Up 200 - Free Phone.

Thats pretty obvious which is the better deal. So, moving on, i called a million stores in JHB to find out which one had stock of the phone. Almost nobody did, but i kept trying. Finally i got hold of MTN Hyde Park shopping centre, who had one left! They agreed to keep it for me, and i raced off to the shopping centre.

Next thing i did was sign the contract. A Nokia 5800Xpressmusic free on Top Up 200. They then took my statements and pay slip, and informed me that the application will take approximately 24 hours to be approved.

I signed on Monday morning, and it is now Thursday afternoon. I check everyday just to make sure, but they always have an excuse about 'backlogging' meaning my application can't get approved yet.

I spoke about it here and had a member helped me out a lot in getting to the bottom of the problem. A representative then called me and said she has no record of my application at all, and that i should cancel it and go with MTN direct. I then called Hyde Park to see what was happening.

Now all of a sudden they say they haven't even sent it off yet because of this 'backlogging' issue. Also, the guy sounded really pissed off with me for finding these things out. I mean Geez, i have no freaking phone! Mine got stolen and i really need a new one, as everyone is finding it extremely difficult to get hold of me.

My questions are:

How long will it take still!!!!
How long does it usually take to get it approved?
The shop has stock of the phone, and are keeping their last one for me, whereas MTN direct have no stock and could take a while to get. Although their service is better, and faster than a retail store.

It's also a mission for me to re-send all my information!

A pretty crap first MTN experience for me so far...
 
Tough bro, maybe it is indeed true that they have a backlog as these guys are usually short staffed. U may cancel it and try calling other MTN shops. Or just wait for them.
The contract takes no longer than 24hrs under normal circumstances (mine was approved the same day - but that was ages ago). Sorry buddy
 
Yeah, i think I'm just gonna wait it out, hopefully it doesn't take that much longer.
 
I think your wait is going to be a while- I am also waiting on the phone too....some how methinks someone did not order the phones on time from Nokia or there is a software/ICASA/who care issue....all that marketing MAY SPECIAL and all you get is backlog issue...wqe will put you on the list....so waiting too...but not gonna hold me breath.
 
Yeah, they had the phone though. I saw it, and they wrapped my application around it and put it under the desk. If they gave it to someone else, I'm going to beat that guy.
 
He was such a bastard on the phone though, man, i just need a phone, and i am giving business... Does it have to be this hard? :(
 
Jer1cho said:
He was such a bastard on the phone though, man, i just need a phone, and i am giving business... Does it have to be this hard? :(
Click to expand...

Hi

Let me see if MTN Direct actually have the handset available before you cancel with the Hyde Park Branch. The process will be much quicker via them.

Will PM you tomorrow.

Regards
DD
 
Surely it can't take that much longer though. It's already been 5 days. I mean, what's the longest anyone has had to wait?
 
in the end it might have been less hassle to just pay in the R1800 with Vodacom and not have to go through all this trouble.
 
Nah, i don't think so hey. It's a really good deal from MTN, at a very good price. But like you say, what's the point if the execution is dodgy? Still, I'm hopeful...
 
No, not porting. I thought i would, but then i decided it will probably mean more paperwork and hassle. So i just thought i would open a brand new contract with a new number...

Oh the irony... lol.
 
Jer1cho said:
No, not porting. I thought i would, but then i decided it will probably mean more paperwork and hassle. So i just thought i would open a brand new contract with a new number...

Oh the irony... lol.
Click to expand...
:-) well who knows how long you would have waited if you wanted to port.
 
Yeah, I'm still sitting here waiting for the call that i know won't come... It feels like i entered a competition instead of actually signing a contract. :(
 
I just called them and my application has been approved. No idea why they didn't let me know. Anyway, now apparently my sim card needs to be activated. They said they will have it sorted, and call me within the hour... Let's see what happens...
 
Great... Got the phone, and everything is working... Now, on to the next problem,

I ASKED FOR A TOP UP 200, BUT SOMEHOW I HAVE AN ANYTIME 200 ACCOUNT!!!!!! WTF MTN??????????????
 
FWIW, I was hijacked on Tuesday, survived and blocked my sim(s).
Bought a new primary sim Tuesday lunchtime and was told 'up to 24 hrs to activate'. Don't kno Y, but minor annoyance
BTW all the paperwork was completely up-to-date and complete; letterhead, etc.
On FRiday afternoon I was still told 'up to 24 hrs'. I sat on the floor of the shop and said I'm not leaving till I'm connected. The shop said its up to head office. I said who can I call at head office? They said they can't give me names and numbers. Why? Head office doesn't speak to the public
I was connected that afternoon
From Tuesday to Friday all my calls to 808 were answered by 'we have terms and conditions'. ie klim in die ry en wag
I do believe they are extremely slow and inefficient. Porting attracts, but is the devil you know not better?
 
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