Vodacom increasing prices

[koeks525]

Wow.... This is really shocking... I didn't expect a move like this from Vodacom.... Watch how MTN will join the movement I won't look at contracts the same way again.

I thought the prices you sign up for on the contract would have been locked in for the length of the contract... Oh well, I suppose I should be glad I am rocking Prepaid.

 

[kianm]

Prepaid FTW!!!!!!!

Just save for the handset and buy cash then you'll be in control in situations like these

 

[Hamster]

/requests Jannie to stay away from upcoming meetup. He might force me to drink a beer I didn't plan on

 

[Hamster]

Prepaid FTW!!!!!!!

Just save for the handset and buy cash then you'll be in control in situations like these

Do you still get monthly statements.... need those to claim from work.

 

[Drunkard #1]

Without penalties?

No short answer, sorry.

Scenario 1: No clause allowing them to change prices - they can't change prices, you can't cancel. If they try to change prices, they've breached the contract and you can cancel immediately, without penalties, if it's deemed that the breach is material (my opinion: in this case, it is material - price is always material).

Scenario 2: Clause in the contract that allows them to change prices, but doesn't allow you to cancel if they do - such clause is illegal in terms of Regulation 44 (3) (h) (issued in terms of Section 120 (d) of the CPA), and void in terms of Section 51 (3) of the CPA, so basically the same outcome as scenario 1.

Scenario 3: Clause in the contract that allows them to change prices and allows you to cancel if they do - penalties are determined by the wording of the contract. If they're vague, they're illegal in terms of Section 22 (2) (a), and also void in terms of the common law, so no penalties. If they're excessive or unreasonable, they're illegal

So basically, the only scenario where they can charge penalties is if the price change clause is complete and legal, and the penalties clause is complete and legal (meaning reasonable). Highly unlikely, unless Vodacon's contracts have changed drastically in the past few years.

My guess: Scenario 2

My guess on the outcome of this whole thing: Vodacon doesn't care - if you cancel they'll illegally report you to the credit bureaux, leaving you to sue them and the credit bureaux; if you complain, they'll ignore your complaint and bill you the new rates anyway; if you sue, they will sink you with legal costs over the next decade (if you last that long), your bank balance will drop rapidly, your stress levels will rise rapidly and everyone you love will leave you, your health will decline and eventually you'll die, broke and alone - basically, they'll slowly murder you. If you complain to the NCC, nothing, since the NCC isn't even responding to complaints any more - Vodacon has already murdered them with litigation.

Good luck, and switch to prepaid ASAP.

 

[Ockie]

/requests Jannie to stay away from upcoming meetup. He might force me to drink a beer I didn't plan on

We are all adults. I have asked Jannie if he would consider joining us should he be available. If he does come, he would be welcome as a contributing member of Mybb. Same with STS. Even though me and him rarely sees eye to eye, if he wants to come, he would be welcome. The meet is not about our differences on mybb and our little skirmishes, but our shared interests and common ground.

 

[Wasabee!]

Fisting

 

[Hamster]

We are all adults. I have asked Jannie if he would consider joining us should he be available. If he does come, he would be welcome as a contributing member of Mybb. Same with STS. Even though me and him rarely sees eye to eye, if he wants to come, he would be welcome. The meet is not about our differences on mybb and our little skirmishes, but our shared interests and common ground.

I can't promise you what my reaction is going to be when he whips out an unplanned beer funnel.

 

[TheMightyQuin]

Prepaid FTW!!!!!!!

Just save for the handset and buy cash then you'll be in control in situations like these

Oh please...You people cry rivers of tears re. R30 per month, but you will save up for a R6000 hand set?? By the time you have enough money for that S6 or i5, it will be a S16 and i10.....

 

[Hamster]

Oh please...You people cry rivers of tears re. R30 per month, but you will save up for a R6000 hand set?? By the time you have enough money for that S6 or i5, it will be a S16 and i10.....

Think the concern is not the price increase but that the price increase is forced upon you in the middle of a contract. The right way Vodacom should do this is to only apply the increase when your contract is renewed.

 

[marine1]

Vote with your wallets. Vodacom think they have the right to do as they wish all they are doing is protecting profits. Thieving bastards

 

[marine1]

I was reading these posts and also started getting indignant. Then I went to the article and saw the price "increases". Are you guys kidding me?? Threatening "class action" over R10, R20, R30 and max R40 per month increases?

Jirre please...

Are you kidding?
Work out the total difference in income for the amount of people on these contracts.
If anything prices should come down
But no......We have to pay more for less.
I can't wait to finally be done with these gangsters.
My contract ends this month then it's off to Telkom.

 

[Kilgore_Trout_Redux]

Wonder if Vodaphone in the UK is getting grumpy because the exchange rate is eating into their profits and Vodacom execs are scared of losing their bonuses so they shaft the SA public instead.

 

[reactor_sa]

Pay as you go is the way to go these days.

 

[marine1]

Like the said on 702 it's all about profits nothing more nothing less. They are greedy fkers the network sucks and now they want to increase prices mid contract? I eish someone with resources would take them on.

 

[falcon786]

I can't wait to finally be done with these gangsters.
My contract ends this month then it's off to Telkom.

Why am I getting a strong sense of Deja Vu?

You'll never leave,you're a sucker for punishment.

 

[Ockie]

Why am I getting a strong sense of Deja Vu?

You'll never leave,you're a sucker for punishment.

I think he is for realzies this time. He would not even cuddle afterwards last night. He has never done that.

 

[AfricanTech]

Think the concern is not the price increase but that the price increase is forced upon you in the middle of a contract. The right way Vodacom should do this is to only apply the increase when your contract is renewed.

This.

Just doesn't seem right that a company can do this (not from a contractual perspective, from a 'good faith' perspective)

 

[AfricanTech]

No short answer, sorry.

Scenario 1: No clause allowing them to change prices - they can't change prices, you can't cancel. If they try to change prices, they've breached the contract and you can cancel immediately, without penalties, if it's deemed that the breach is material (my opinion: in this case, it is material - price is always material).

Scenario 2: Clause in the contract that allows them to change prices, but doesn't allow you to cancel if they do - such clause is illegal in terms of Regulation 44 (3) (h) (issued in terms of Section 120 (d) of the CPA), and void in terms of Section 51 (3) of the CPA, so basically the same outcome as scenario 1.

Scenario 3: Clause in the contract that allows them to change prices and allows you to cancel if they do - penalties are determined by the wording of the contract. If they're vague, they're illegal in terms of Section 22 (2) (a), and also void in terms of the common law, so no penalties. If they're excessive or unreasonable, they're illegal

So basically, the only scenario where they can charge penalties is if the price change clause is complete and legal, and the penalties clause is complete and legal (meaning reasonable). Highly unlikely, unless Vodacon's contracts have changed drastically in the past few years.

My guess: Scenario 2

My guess on the outcome of this whole thing: Vodacon doesn't care - if you cancel they'll illegally report you to the credit bureaux, leaving you to sue them and the credit bureaux; if you complain, they'll ignore your complaint and bill you the new rates anyway; if you sue, they will sink you with legal costs over the next decade (if you last that long), your bank balance will drop rapidly, your stress levels will rise rapidly and everyone you love will leave you, your health will decline and eventually you'll die, broke and alone - basically, they'll slowly murder you. If you complain to the NCC, nothing, since the NCC isn't even responding to complaints any more - Vodacon has already murdered them with litigation.

Good luck, and switch to prepaid ASAP.

Pretty bleak

Wonder if the Public Protector would be able to weigh in here?

 

[falcon786]

I think he is for realzies this time. He would not even cuddle afterwards last night. He has never done that.

Last time he upgraded you were to blame lol so what did you expect?