Tswane City Council (Is there life on Planet Tswane)

[snugam]

Just to document my experience with the Tswane City Council -

My reason for phoning them is that for no Particular reason this entry appeared on

my Electricity Bill for this month -

Security Depost Required 338.88

I phoned the normal help desk; and held on for about 4 minutes; someome picked up

the telephone and we had quick conversation as the lady explained to me that they

want this deposit because my usage for the last 3 months is higher than what my

original deposit was about.

I just so happened that my bill was a bit higher over the winter months because we

were running the dryer and heater to keep the house warm for us and the bill was

higher.

The bill was expected to drop in the summer months but now I am required to pay this

additional amount because their computers says my security is not enough for what I

am spending on my account.

NOW...

I tried to phone the Credit Department to speak to them; after holding on for around

12 minutes this very "not-so-helpful" lady answer the telephone who after spelling

her name twice to me I was able to figure out is "Adolphine".

She asked what my query was and I started to explain to here; but somehow I just

knew that this was going too well. In the middle of giving my account number the

line was cut-off, for particular reason ... Fishy, dont you think.

So, the honerable Adolphine was unable to help me

Eventually I got through to them, because cut of twice after that.

Then a person name Dati answer the phone and she informed me that they apparently

had technical problems with their telephone system and that I should speak fast

before the line cuts off.

Halfway through explaining my story for the second time; and after now waisting a

lot of money phone from Johannesburg to Pretoria, this Dati person explains to me

AGAIN that this is not her department and she cannot handle this issue, she

will need to transfer me again.

GUESS WHAT HAPPENED NEXT...

AFter holding on for another 4 minutes or so (i have a timer on my phone) the tone

on the phone flatlined and I was cut off AGAIN.

OK... Here Goes, I am phoning them for the 5th time now, hearing on the automated

voice prompt "Please hold the line as your call is important to us"

I am sitting here thinking that I should have considered attending a training course

on speaking to a city council representative, because they obviously didn't go on

training on how to work with a customer; it could also be that the City Council

Chief is using all the funds for his new car instead of investing in training

facilities; alas, sarcasm aside.

I am still holding on, its 3 minutes now

They possibly used the training center funds to change the Signboards from

Johanneburg Internation Airport, to O.R Tumbo Airport. To me it sounds more like

O'We "Tumbling" down to financial ruin Airport or (O.W.T.D.T.F.R Aiport)

Still holding - 6 minutes now!

Ok Good, there is life...

A lady called Jeanette answered the telephone, this time I decided to immediately

explaining to her that her department is not responsible for my query because the

previous lady (Dati) said so, and that I should be transfered to another department.

Ironically - I think we have a circle of life thing going here - this jeanette lady

explained to me that I should speak to the Accounts Department; which if I recall

was the very first department I reached and they said that I should speak to Credit

Control Department - are you feeling confused yet - I know I am.

Oh by the way; I got cut off again; I wonder if she tried to transfer me; I am

really starting to think that I am a sucker for punishment, for keeping this up.

Lets see; well... I am starting to reconize their technique; if you cant get hold of

anyone to complain they can just sue you for the amount that you dont want to pay,

because you couldn't speak to anyone regarding this query.

lol - sarcasm aside ... again.

I am phoning again - last time, and then I am leaving it for monday not to spoil my Friday Completely.....

4 minutes - "Your call is important to us....." YEAH RIGHT???


6 minutes....

This time I am going to try to be friendly

ring-ring, ring-ring, ring-ring, ring-ring, ring-ring, ring-ring, ring-ring, ring-ring, ring-ring, ring-ring, ring-ring, ring-ring, ring-ring, ring-ring, poooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooop no answer again..... OK; I will try again on monday; and update this thread again, but I am basically fuming here right now

 

[supersunbird]

Tshwane is this place where bad stuff happens, close to this place called Pretoria where good stuff happens

 

[stoke]

...

Try the email route if you want.
Look at : http://www.tshwane.gov.za/contact.cfm for contact details.

 

[snugam]

Email route Better than Telephone Route

...

Try the email route if you want.
Look at : http://www.tshwane.gov.za/contact.cfm for contact details.

MANY THANKS; I will attempt the Email Route!!!!

 

[repitah]

What's the chances the email will get through?
Last time I went to the coucil building to register for lights and water, nobody seemed very happy doing their job.

 

[snugam]

Trying to phone before 9 am to see if I have any luck, been holding for 7 minutes still no answer! Maybe still too early for the reply on my email; but I will keep the forum posted...

thanks for a great forum...

 

[snugam]

oh Whooopi - @ 9 minutes, I was cut off ONCE AGAIN.

 

[snugam]

Telkom and City of Tswane has profit sharing; Tswane will keep you waiting online for nothing; and Telkom Share's the profits with them; which in turns buys new cars for the Bosses...

 

[surface]

Well, couple of months ago, I had good experience with SAQA. The application form mentioned email address and I thought 'yeah, right! as if you are going to send me mail' and was pleasantly surprised to get mail next day mentioning reference number et. al.

You go guys!